Desktop shortcuts allow you to access a program quickly and easily by simply double clicking on the icon on the desktop, creating them for programs that you use frequently can make your life a lot easier.

First of all you have to find the program you want to create the shortcut to on the start menu (for the benefit of this example we are going to create a shortcut for Internet Explorer), to do this click on the Start button, hover the mouse pointer over programs and then navigate to the program you want (in this example Internet Explorer).

Right Click on the program and hold down the mouse button, drag the mouse over to the desktop (as shown above) and then let go of the mouse button.

Next you will be presented with a context menu like the one shown below, simply left click on "Create Shortcut(s) Here" and your shortcut is created allowing you to access the program from your desktop.