# How to Manage User Shortcuts

**Last Updated On**: 24 Jul 2026  
**10 minutes read**

The shortcut is an icon that points to a file, folder or an Internet URL. The Shortcut Configuration enables you to add shortcuts to the users from a central point.

## Step 1: Name the Configuration

Provide a name and description for the Shortcut Configuration.

## Step 2: Define Configuration

You can perform the following actions:

- Create a Shortcut
- Create an Internet Shortcut
- Delete a Shortcut / Internet Shortcut

### Create a Shortcut

To create a shortcut, select the **Action** as **Create Shortcut** and specify the following values:

| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Shortcut Name* | Specify the name of the shortcut. |
| Target Application* | Browse and select the target application from the network for which a shortcut has to be created. The target application can also be in the local machine where the configuration is being deployed. |
| Arguments* | If the application requires any arguments, specify the arguments. Leave it blank if it does not require any arguments. |
| Shortcut Location | Select the location to create the shortcut. The shortcut location can be any of the following:<br><br>- **User Desktop**: Refers to the desktop of that user.<br>- **User Favorites**: Refers to the favorites folder of that user.<br>- **User Start Menu**: Refers to the start menu of that user.<br>- **User Programs Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs group of that user.<br>- **User Startup Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs → Startup group of that user.<br>- **User Quick Launch Bar**: Refers to the quick launch bar of that user.<br>- **All Users Desktop**: Refers to the desktop common for all the users.<br>- **All Users Start Menu**: Refers to the start menu common for all users.<br>- **All Users Programs Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs group common for all the users.<br>- **All Users Startup Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs → Startup group common for all the users. |
| Start In Folder* | Some applications may have some references to additional files during execution. In such cases, browse and select the location from where the application has to be started. |
| Shortcut Comments | Specify the comments for this shortcut. |
| Icon File* | Browse and select the icon for the shortcut. |
| Run Window | Select how the application has be started - **Normal**, **Maximized**, or **Minimized**. |

\* - Click the ![Dynamic variable icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/dyn_var.webp) icon to select and assign a [dynamic variable](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/dynamic_variables-misc.html) to this parameter.

> **Note**: If you wish to create more shortcuts, click **Add Shortcut** button and repeat step 2. The defined shortcut gets added to the **Shortcut table**.

### Create an Internet Shortcut

To create an Internet shortcut, select the **Action** as **Create Internet Shortcut** and specify the following values:

| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Shortcut Name* | Specify the name of the Internet shortcut. |
| Target URL* | Specify the URL for which the shortcut needs to be created. |
| Shortcut Location | Select the location to create the shortcut. The shortcut location can be any of the following:<br><br>- **User Desktop**: Refers to the desktop of that user.<br>- **User Favorites**: Refers to the favorites folder of that user.<br>- **User Start Menu**: Refers to the start menu of that user.<br>- **User Programs Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs group of that user.<br>- **User Startup Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs → Startup group of that user.<br>- **User Quick Launch Bar**: Refers to the quick launch bar of that user.<br>- **All Users Desktop**: Refers to the desktop common for all the users.<br>- **All Users Start Menu**: Refers to the start menu common for all users.<br>- **All Users Programs Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs group common for all the users.<br>- **All Users Startup Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs → Startup group common for all the users. |
| Icon File* | Browse and select the icon for the shortcut. |

### Delete a Shortcut / Internet Shortcut

To delete a shortcut, select the **Action** as **Delete Shortcut / Internet Shortcut** respectively and specify the following values:

| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Shortcut Name | Specify the name of the shortcut. Click the ![configuration-management screenshot](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/dyn_var.webp) icon to select and assign a dynamic variable to this parameter. |
| Shortcut Location | Select the location from where the shourcuts needs to be deleted. The shortcut location can be any of the following:<br><br>- **User Desktop**: Refers to the desktop of that user.<br>- **User Favorites**: Refers to the favorites folder of that user.<br>- **User Start Menu**: Refers to the start menu of that user.<br>- **User Programs Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs group of that user.<br>- **User Startup Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs → Startup group of that user.<br>- **User Quick Launch Bar**: Refers to the quick launch bar of that user.<br>- **All Users Desktop**: Refers to the desktop common for all the users.<br>- **All Users Start Menu**: Refers to the start menu common for all users.<br>- **All Users Programs Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs group common for all the users.<br>- **All Users Startup Group**: Refers to the Start → Programs → Startup group common for all the users. |

> **Note**: If you wish to delete more shortcuts, click **Add More Shortcut** button and repeat step 2. The defined shortcut gets added to the **Shortcut table**.

To modify a shortcut from the shortcut table, select the appropriate row and click ![configuration-management screenshot](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/modify.webp) icon and change the required values.

To delete a shortcut from the shortcut table, select the appropriate row and click ![configuration-management screenshot](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/delete.webp) icon.

## Step 3: Define Target

Using the [Defining Targets](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/general/defining_targets.html#Defining-Configuration-Target-Computers) procedure, define the targets for deploying the Shortcut Configuration.

## Step 4: Deploy Configuration

Click the **Deploy** button to deploy the defined Shortcut Configuration in the defined targets. The shortcut configuration will take effect during the next user logon.

To save the configuration as draft, click **Save as Draft**.