Icons are simply shortcuts to programs or
files on the computer desktop that improve navigation. This section
will show how to select, move, and create a desktop shortcut icon or a
desktop menu alias. It will also show how to recognize basic desktop
icons such as hard disk, directory tree, directories/folders
and files, and recycle bin/wastebasket.
To create a shortcut (icon), right-click the program or file (in
Windows Explorer) and select Create Shortcut. Windows Explorer
can be accessed in Windows 2000 by choosing Start > Programs
> Accessories > Windows Explorer. The user does not have
to be on the desktop to access the Start button.
With Windows 9x (95,
98, and Millennium), choose Start > Programs > Windows Explorer
from the menu that displays.

To move the created icon or any desktop icon to another
position on the desktop, click on it and then drag it to the desired
location.
The icon becomes semi-transparent while being dragged. To restore the
icon to full intensity, click on an empty part of the desktop. If the icon does not
move, disable the Auto Arrange function on the desktop.
To do this, right-click on an empty space of the desktop and choose Arrange
Icons. Uncheck the Auto Arrange selection. Shortcut icons
can be created for frequently used programs like web browsers, word
processors, spreadsheets, and instant messengers.
To select multiple icons at once to move, hold down the Ctrl
key and click on all the icons that are to be moved.
Then, drag the group of icons to the new location and let go of the
mouse button. Unselect the icons by clicking on an empty part of the
desktop. Rename icons, like folders, by clicking on the name once
and then typing in a new name.