Are you tired of cluttered desktops and folders filled with unnecessary shortcuts in Windows 10? Do you want to know how to delete shortcuts in Windows 10 and keep your system organized? Look no further! In this guide, we’ll show you the different ways to delete shortcuts in Windows 10, including using the File Explorer, the Start menu, and the Taskbar.
What are Shortcuts in Windows 10?
Before we dive into deleting shortcuts, let’s first understand what they are. A shortcut is a small file that points to a program, file, or folder on your computer. When you create a shortcut, you’re creating a reference to the original file or folder, not a copy of it. Shortcuts are useful because they allow you to quickly access frequently used files, programs, and folders without having to navigate to their original location.
One of the easiest ways to delete shortcuts in Windows 10 is using the File Explorer. Here’s how:
Method 1: Delete a Single Shortcut
1. Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E or by searching for “File Explorer” in the Start menu.
2. Navigate to the location where the shortcut you want to delete is located.
3. Right-click on the shortcut and select Delete from the context menu.
4. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the shortcut.
Method 2: Delete Multiple Shortcuts
1. Open the File Explorer and navigate to the location where the shortcuts you want to delete are located.
2. Press the Ctrl key and select each shortcut you want to delete. You can also use the Shift key to select a range of shortcuts.
3. Right-click on one of the selected shortcuts and select Delete from the context menu.
4. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the selected shortcuts.
Delete Shortcuts using the Start Menu
You can also delete shortcuts from the Start menu in Windows 10. Here’s how:
Delete a Shortcut from the Start Menu
1. Click on the Start button to open the Start menu.
2. Right-click on the shortcut you want to delete and select Unpin from Start from the context menu.
3. The shortcut will be removed from the Start menu.
Delete a Shortcut Group from the Start Menu
If you have a group of shortcuts that you want to delete, you can do so by right-clicking on the group and selecting Unpin from Start from the context menu.
Delete Shortcuts from the Taskbar
If you have shortcuts pinned to the Taskbar, you can delete them by following these steps:
Delete a Shortcut from the Taskbar
1. Right-click on the shortcut you want to delete on the Taskbar.
2. Select Unpin from taskbar from the context menu.
3. The shortcut will be removed from the Taskbar.
How to Identify and Delete Broken Shortcuts
Broken shortcuts are shortcuts that point to a file or folder that no longer exists. Deleting broken shortcuts can help declutter your system and prevent errors. Here’s how to identify and delete broken shortcuts:
Using the File Explorer
1. Open the File Explorer and navigate to the location where the shortcut is located.
2. Look for shortcuts with a red X icon or a “Shortcut is broken” message.
3. Right-click on the broken shortcut and select Delete from the context menu.
4. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the broken shortcut.
Using the System File Checker Tool
The System File Checker tool is a built-in utility in Windows 10 that can help identify and delete broken shortcuts. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter: `sfc /scannow`
3. The System File Checker tool will scan your system and identify any broken shortcuts.
4. Follow the prompts to delete any broken shortcuts found.
Preventing Shortcuts from Being Created
If you want to prevent shortcuts from being created in the future, you can do so by adjusting your Windows 10 settings. Here’s how:
Disable the Creation of Shortcuts on the Desktop
1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select Personalize from the context menu.
2. In the Personalization window, click on Themes on the left side.
3. Under the “Related settings” section, click on Desktop icon settings.
4. Uncheck the box next to “Allow shortcuts to be created on the desktop”.
5. Click OK to save your changes.
Disable the Creation of Shortcuts in the Start Menu
1. Click on the Start button and select System from the menu.
2. In the System window, click on Notifications & actions on the left side.
3. Under the “Notifications” section, toggle the switch next to “Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested” to the Off position.
4. Click Save changes to save your changes.
Conclusion
Deleting shortcuts in Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can help you keep your system organized and clutter-free. By using the File Explorer, Start menu, and Taskbar, you can easily delete shortcuts and prevent them from being created in the future. Additionally, by using the System File Checker tool, you can identify and delete broken shortcuts that can cause errors and slow down your system. Remember to always be cautious when deleting files and shortcuts to avoid accidentally deleting important data.
What are shortcuts in Windows 10?
Shortcuts in Windows 10 are symbols or icons that provide a quick way to access a program, file, or folder. They are essentially links that point to the actual location of the file or folder on your computer. Shortcuts can be found on the desktop, Start menu, taskbar, or anywhere else on your computer.
By creating shortcuts, you can access your frequently used files and programs quickly and easily. You can also create shortcuts to specific settings or functions within a program, such as the Control Panel or the Device Manager. Over time, however, your computer may accumulate many shortcuts that are no longer needed, which can clutter your desktop and slow down your computer.
Why do I need to delete shortcuts in Windows 10?
You may need to delete shortcuts in Windows 10 for several reasons. One reason is to declutter your desktop and organize your files and programs. Over time, shortcuts can accumulate and make your desktop look messy and cluttered. By deleting unnecessary shortcuts, you can free up space on your desktop and make it look more organized.
Another reason to delete shortcuts is to improve your computer’s performance. If you have many shortcuts on your desktop, it can slow down your computer’s startup time and overall performance. By deleting unnecessary shortcuts, you can improve your computer’s speed and responsiveness.
How do I delete a shortcut in Windows 10?
To delete a shortcut in Windows 10, right-click on the shortcut and select “Delete” from the context menu. You can also select the shortcut and press the “Delete” key on your keyboard. If you want to delete multiple shortcuts, you can select them all by holding down the “Ctrl” key while clicking on each shortcut, and then right-click and select “Delete”.
Make sure to note that deleting a shortcut does not delete the actual file or program that it points to. It only removes the shortcut itself. If you want to delete the file or program, you need to go to the actual location of the file or program and delete it from there.
Can I recover a deleted shortcut in Windows 10?
If you accidentally delete a shortcut in Windows 10, you may be able to recover it from the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a special folder that stores deleted files and shortcuts for a limited time before they are permanently deleted. To recover a deleted shortcut, go to the Recycle Bin, find the shortcut you want to recover, and right-click and select “Restore”.
If the shortcut is no longer in the Recycle Bin, you may not be able to recover it. However, if you remember the location of the file or program that the shortcut pointed to, you can create a new shortcut to replace the deleted one.
How do I remove shortcuts from the Start menu in Windows 10?
To remove shortcuts from the Start menu in Windows 10, click on the Start menu and find the shortcut you want to remove. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Unpin from Start” from the context menu. This will remove the shortcut from the Start menu, but it will not delete the actual file or program that it points to.
If you want to remove all shortcuts from the Start menu, you can click on the Start menu, click on the “All apps” button at the top, and then right-click on each shortcut and select “Unpin from Start”. This will remove all shortcuts from the Start menu and give you a clean slate.
How do I remove shortcuts from the taskbar in Windows 10?
To remove shortcuts from the taskbar in Windows 10, right-click on the shortcut and select “Unpin from taskbar” from the context menu. This will remove the shortcut from the taskbar, but it will not delete the actual file or program that it points to.
If you want to remove all shortcuts from the taskbar, you can right-click on each shortcut and select “Unpin from taskbar”. This will remove all shortcuts from the taskbar and give you a clean slate. You can then pin new shortcuts to the taskbar by finding the file or program you want to pin, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Pin to taskbar”.
Are there any third-party tools that can help me delete shortcuts in Windows 10?
Yes, there are several third-party tools that can help you delete shortcuts in Windows 10. One popular tool is CCleaner, which is a free utility that can help you clean up your computer and remove unnecessary files and shortcuts. Another tool is Glary Utilities, which is a comprehensive system maintenance tool that can help you delete shortcuts and other unnecessary files.
These tools can be especially useful if you have many shortcuts on your computer and want to delete them quickly and easily. However, be careful when using third-party tools, as they may delete files and shortcuts that you need. Always read the instructions carefully and use caution when using these tools.