Create a Shortcut to a File on the Network

Do you save files to your workstation desktop? Are these files safe and secure?

The desktop on your computer should only be used for shortcuts to documents you have already saved on the Virginia Western network. Files saved to your desktop could be lost if your computer has to be reimaged, and these files are not backed up.

When using a networked Virginia Western computer, you should always save your files to your I: drive or your shared departmental J: drive. Each employee who has requested access to Virginia Western’s network is given network storage space. This space is backed up nightly.

To create a shortcut to a saved network file:

  1.  In Windows, right-click on the Start button and choose Open Windows Explorer.
  2. Locate the file, which should be on your I: or J: drive.
  3. Right-click on the file, then choose Send To and then Desktop (create shortcut).

A shortcut icon for the file will now be on your desktop, but the file itself will still be saved on your networked drive.