In almost all Windows versions, "My Computer" window usually shows hard disk drives, optical drives and sometimes a few default shortcuts like Network Connections, Control Panel, etc.
We have posted a detailed tutorial in past which allows you to add your desired shortcuts in My Computer window:
How to Add Recycle Bin, Run, Search and Many Other Useful Shortcuts in My Computer?
The above mentioned tutorial involves registry editing.
Today we are going to share a very small and easy trick which can be used to add any desired shortcut, file or folder in My Computer window. Thanks to our friend Thomas for sharing this trick.
Following is a preview of the output which you'll get after following this tutorial:
As you can see in above screenshot, there are lots of new shortcuts showing in My Computer window.
So without wasting time, lets start the tutorial:
1. Type following string in RUN or start menu search box and press Enter:
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
It'll open "Network Shortcuts" folder.
You can also directly open the same folder by typing Network Shortcuts in Explorer addressbar and press Enter. Thanks to our reader "Joshua Smith" for this alternative method.
2. Now what you have to do is simply create shortcut to the desired folder and paste it in this "Network Shortcuts" folder.
You can also paste file shortcuts or simply move the original file in this folder.
If you want, you can create Control Panel items shortcuts and move them from Desktop to this folder.
3. That's it. As soon as you copy a shortcut to "Network Shortcuts" folder, it'll start showing in My Computer window.
Simple trick. Isn't it?
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows Vista.
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KooNKHaR
excellent trick! really useful..
thanks VG..
Joshua Smith
Very cool and simple trick! FYI, in explorer you can simply type "network shortcuts" (no quotation marks) into the address bar - or type it into the Address toolbar if you use that - and you'll go straight to the folder.
VG
^^ Thanks for the alternative method. :)
Someone
I knew this already, but I never used it for programs and other files. SkyDrive folders, because Office generates them, use up the Network Locations on my computer. Anyway, great post... Keep it up!
Abhishek
Nice and simple full gui trick. Keep your desktop clean.
Abhishek
Does it work in xp also, as your last registry hack.
Abhishek
Both of the methods doesn`t work on xp.
nipunb
"network shortcuts" not opening in xp with any of the two methods
Ron
Cool tip. I'll be using it a lot.
Lee
Wicked trick keep them coming thanks
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