The other day I was working on my computer and I wanted to send one of my files to the desktop (we’re all out of room on our phones!). But the computer wouldn’t let me create a shortcut to send to the desktop. I really needed it done quickly so I couldn’t waste any time figuring out why this was happening or how to fix it; luckily, it was easy! Here’s what you need to do if your computer won’t let you create a shortcut and you need it right away. Computer is telling me I can’t create a shortcut to send to the desktop
Computer Will Not Let Me Create a Shortcut
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You may not be able to create shortcuts on your desktop if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode. If you want shortcuts on your desktop, consider switching from S mode (you don’t need it anyway) or changing some settings. Here’s how 1. Open Settings by clicking or tapping Start > Settings > System > Apps & features.
Desktop Does Not Show Shortcuts
We all know you can’t create shortcuts on your computer’s Desktop, but you may be able to do so in other locations. If your Desktop doesn’t show these shortcuts, it’s probably because your Desktop doesn’t display hidden files. In Windows 10, click on View, then select Show Hidden Items. This allows you to see both icons and files that are invisible when viewing other parts of your computer.
Computer Won’t Display My Shortcuts
Although creating shortcuts doesn’t consume any disk space, it’s possible that your computer has filled up all of its allotted hard drive space. To see if you have enough room on your computer to save shortcuts, you should check how much free space is available in your C: or main hard drive.
How Do I Fix This?
This error occurs when you’re using Windows 8. If you want to be able to create shortcuts on your desktop, it means that you’re using Windows 8 in its default configuration. If you really want a shortcut on your desktop and not just in your Start screen, head over to PC Settings and choose Personalize. Then click Lock Screen, change Background Settings and enable/disable any of your preferred options: Pictures or Slideshow of Pictures, Video Playlist or Slideshow of Videos and Music Playlist.
Restarting Computer or Booting Into Safe Mode Will Not Work
If you restart your computer or boot into safe mode, your data will still be there. You can then right-click on it, and select send to followed by desktop (create shortcut). Then rename that shortcut to something memorable like My Computer so you don’t lose track of it later. This works because when you reboot your computer, all programs are closed but not deleted from memory until after Windows boots up again. So if Windows doesn’t see a program open, it assumes that program is open in memory and therefore creates another instance of that program which gets placed on your desktop.
How do I enable send to desktop shortcut?
Locate Computer on your Start menu, then click it. The My Computer window appears. Double-click Documents and Settings, which displays your Documents folder in Windows Explorer. Double-click your username folder; if you’re not sure what your username is, open User Accounts (which requires administrative privileges), then look for your name under Manage another account. Click Desktop and then make sure that Display as icons isn’t selected.
Why can’t I put shortcuts on my desktop?
Sometimes when users are trying to create shortcuts on their computer they will receive an error message saying that they can’t save it. The simplest solution is usually just saving them into a folder and then creating a shortcut there. Here are two other solutions
How do I resolve a shortcut problem?
The problem could be that you’re trying to assign a different shortcut than one that’s already assigned. It could also be that you’ve deleted one of your previous shortcuts, so you need to make sure that doesn’t happen. However, if none of these issues apply, it’s probably something in your computer settings or anti-virus program causing problems. To resolve the issue, you’ll need to disable your anti-virus program and then check if creating a new shortcut works.
How do I create a Send To shortcut?
If you’re unable to use your Send To feature, you might have disabled it inadvertently. If that’s not it, then there could be an issue with your shortcuts or how they’re set up on your computer. The steps below will help get your Send To back up and running smoothly.
How do I restore a missing desktop to create a shortcut item?
If you’ve accidentally deleted or moved your computer’s Desktop folder, creating shortcuts to applications or documents will not be possible. Fortunately, Windows includes a simple utility that enables you to restore deleted file folders and subfolders within seconds. You don’t need any special software for performing your own restoration; just use Windows Explorer (Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8) and follow these steps
Quick Tip: Create desktop shortcuts
Right-click on your application and select Create Shortcut. This will place a shortcut to your program on your desktop. You can rename it by right-clicking on it, selecting Rename and adding text before or after what’s already there. Delete shortcuts you no longer need by selecting Delete from your menu bar (the little icon at top left). Windows 7 users: Hold down Ctrl+Shift as you delete. This stops Windows 7 from creating duplicate shortcuts for every new one you delete!