How to create a shortcut to Devices and Printers in Windows

Can you imagine being able to open Devices and Printers in seconds without wasting time navigating through a thousand menus? Windows allows you to create really handy shortcuts to keep basic system functions at your fingertips, but many users aren't aware of all their capabilities. If you want to master your desktop and customize your experience to the fullest, here you will find all methods and Tricks to create shortcuts to Devices and Printers (or other function) and other tips for organizing your essential tools.

In this article we are going to break down each of the ways to create shortcuts in Windows, focusing especially on directly accessing Devices and Printers, but without leaving aside other utilities and tips to customize your shortcuts, improve your productivity and learn hidden commands that don't appear in conventional system options.

What is a shortcut for and why is it so useful?

Un direct access It is basically a quick link that points to a file, folder, program, or even internal functions of the operating system, such as the Devices and Printers panel. It is common to create shortcuts in the desk so you don't have to navigate through the Start menu, File Explorer, or Control Panel every time.

If you are one of those who work with printers, Bluetooth devices or need to often manage your peripherals, have direct access to Devices and Printers It saves you a lot of clicks. But in addition, these shortcuts can be customized to run advanced settings, modify the behavior of an application or add extra parameters.

Classic methods for creating shortcuts in Windows

There are several simple and universal ways to create a shortcut to virtually any Windows item. These methods work on both Windows 10 and Windows XNUMX Pro. Windows 11 and earlier versions.

Manual creation from the desktop

The classic way always starts by placing ourselves in the Windows desktop. There it is enough with right click in any free space and choose “New” > “Shortcut.” The wizard will appear, allowing you to select the file, folder, or function you want to make accessible.

You will only have to navigate with the “Browse” button to the desired element, give it a representative name and clever, your new shortcut is just a click away.

Copy and paste shortcut

You can also create shortcuts very quickly using the context menu. Simply copy the original file (right click or Control+C), go to the desktop or the desired folder, and use the “Paste shortcut” option. This way you will get a direct link without moving the original file..

Drag and drop with Alt

Another very quick technique is to hold down the Alt key while dragging the file to the desktop. You'll see the option to automatically create a link when you release the mouse. It's super fast!

Start menu shortcuts and installation wizards

The Start menu can also be your ally for keeping essential programs or utilities close at hand.

For Windows 10

Open the start menu, search for the app and simply drag its icon from Start to the desktopThis will give you a shortcut labeled “link.”

For Windows 11

In the latest version, press the Home button, go to "All Apps," find the app you're interested in, and, without releasing the mouse, drag it to the desktop until you see the "Link" text. Release it to have the shortcut ready.

Take advantage of the installation wizard

In many program installations, the wizards themselves offer you the option to create shortcuts automatically in different locations, such as the desktop or the Start menu. You just need to pay attention and select the appropriate option during the installation process.

Alternative and Advanced Methods: Commands for Special Shortcuts

Beyond the standard methods, Windows allows you to use special commands to create shortcuts to internal functions, many of which are not accessible from traditional menus.

How do I create a shortcut to Devices and Printers?

To have the icon of Devices and printers always available, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select “New” > “Shortcut.”
2. In the location field paste this command:

explorer.exe shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}

This command works on Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11, so it is very versatile and quick to use.

List of useful commands for other shortcuts

Using similar commands, you can create shortcuts to many other useful tools in Windows, such as:

• Recycle Bin: explorer.exe shell:::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
• Network connections: explorer.exe shell:::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}
• Control Panel: explorer.exe shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}
• All tasks: explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
• Administrative tools: explorer.exe shell:::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}
• Advanced User Account Options: explorer.exe shell:::{7A9D77BD-5403-11d2-8785-2E0420524153}
• This team: explorer.exe shell:::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
• Desktop view: explorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
• Recent folders: explorer.exe shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99}
• Energy options: explorer.exe shell:::{025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}
• Windows Notifications: explorer.exe shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}
• The entire network: explorer.exe shell:::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
• Firewalls for Windows: explorer.exe shell:::{4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423}
• My documents: explorer.exe shell:::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
• WiFi network settings: explorer.exe shell:::{1FA9085F-25A2-489B-85D4-86326EEDCD87}
• Windows Backup and Restore: explorer.exe shell:::{B98A2BEA-7D42-4558-8BD1-832F41BAC6FD}
• Bluetooth devices: explorer.exe shell:::{28803F59-3A75-4058-995F-4EE5503B023C}
• Language Options: explorer.exe shell:::{BF782CC9-5A52-4A17-806C-2A894FFEEAC5}

You can even use special names like Administrador.{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153} in a folder name to quickly access advanced configuration features.

Create shortcuts to web pages

Do you always browse the same websites? create a shortcut to a web page on your desktop by simply dragging and dropping the lock icon that appears in your browser's address bar (Chrome or Firefox). Double-click it and you'll be taken directly to your favorite website.

Put the shortcut on the taskbar

To have your favorite programs or accesses even more at hand, you can pin the shortcut to the taskbarIn Windows 10, just drag it there. In Windows 11, right-click the charm and select "Pin to taskbar."

To remove it, simply right-click on the icon in the taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.”

Customize your shortcuts: icon, name, and behavior

Each shortcut is editable: You can change its name, icon or add parameters when running it.To do this, right-click on the shortcut, select “Properties,” and then select “Target.”

For example, to open Chrome in incognito mode, add -incognito at the end of the route, or to open Steam In offline mode, use -offlineYou can also customize a shortcut to open a specific file in Notepad by changing its path.

Why do shortcuts have an arrow?

A small arrow appears on the shortcut icons to differentiate it from the original file or programThis helps you know whether you're using the link or the actual file. Removing the arrow doesn't affect the program, but it can cause confusion, so it's a good idea to distinguish between the two.

How to remove the arrow from shortcuts

If you prefer the icons not to have that arrow, you can remove it by modifying the Windows registryIt's important to be careful, as touching the registry can affect your system. The steps are:

• Open the search panel and type regedit to open the Registry Editor.
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer
• Create a key called Shell Icons and inside, a string value called 29.
• In the value, enter %windir%/System32/shell32.dll,-50.
• Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Remember that removing the arrow can cause confusion about whether it's a shortcut or the original file, so only make this change if you're sure.

Add Devices and Printers to the Context Menu via Registry

For advanced users, it is possible Add Devices and Printers to the desktop context menu editing the registry. You need to create keys and values in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell, give it a name, a description (MUIVerb), configure the icon and in the Command subkey, put the command:

explorer.exe shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}

Right-clicking on the desktop will quickly open Devices and Printers. For more details on how to customize shortcuts in Windows, visit the properties of a shortcut in Windows.

Solutions if you can't find Devices and Printers in Windows 11

Some recent versions of Windows 11, such as 22H2, have modified access to Devices and Printers. If you don't see the classic panel, the command still works to open the full view, although the interface may vary.

In some cases, downgrading the DLL can restore the layout, but this is tricky and only recommended for experienced users with a previous backup. To learn how to create custom shortcuts, you can refer to Create shortcuts in Windows 11.

In any case, The command explorer.exe shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A} is still the most universal way to access Devices and Printers in most versions of Windows..

Spending a few minutes configuring your shortcuts can save you a lot of time, avoid frustration, and give you a personalized desktop just the way you want it.