How to Create Shortcuts in Google Drive

If you use Google Drive to store all your files, then this guide will be very useful to you in the long run. We have been covering every aspect of making cloud storage more accessible for every user. Since it is impossible to keep track of all the files that you upload, you can always choose to create shortcuts in Google Drive for all the important files.

Whether you are using your laptop or your smartphone to access Google Drive, each device has the option to create shortcuts. In fact, you can even choose to add a shortcut of your files directly on the desktop itself.

Without wasting a lot of time, we will directly get on with the guide on how to create shortcuts in Google Drive.

Table of Contents

How to Create Shortcuts in Google Drive on Computer

The first method we will learn to create shortcuts in Google Drive is using our laptop or a system. This is no rocket science and very simple to work on. Here we go.

Open the official Google Drive site.
Make a right-click on any file or folder you want to create a shortcut of.
Click on Add Shortcut to Drive.

Select the location you want to create a shortcut for.
Now, tap on Add Shortcut.

How to Create Shortcuts in Google Drive — google drive shortcut on desktop windows 10

The shortcuts created are super helpful to organize the most important files and folders you have on your Drive. You can either choose to create a folder or add all your shortcuts collectively to make things easier.

This is how to create google drive folder shortcut on desktop.

Read How to Print from Google Drive on iPhone

How to Create Shortcuts in Google Drive on Smartphone

Whether you are using an Android phone or an iPhone, you can use the steps below to create shortcuts in Google Drive. The same method applies to iPad users as well.

Open Google Drive app on your smartphone.
Scroll down and choose the file or folder to create a shortcut.
Now, click on More or three vertical dots.
Choose Add Shortcut to Drive.

Select the location or create a new folder.

create shortcut in google drive — google drive shortcut to folder

Click on Add.

You can do all these steps on your Android phones as well and organize all your files.

This is how to create google drive shortcut on iPhone or Android phones.

Read How to Remove Google Drive Sharing Link

Important Points to Note while Creating Shortcuts on Google Drive

Here are some aspects that you need to understand or know about creating shortcuts on Google Drive.

Your shortcuts will not work if the original file is in the trash or deleted.
You can create up to 500 shortcuts for each file or folder.
Anyone can see the shortcut created when added to a folder that is visible to multiple people.
You cannot delete a shortcut in a folder that is owned by someone else.
Shortcuts can be deleted but not the original file.
You can make a copy of a shortcut folder or a file.

Read How to Stop Files Uploading From Google Drive

How to Remove Shortcut from Google Drive

If you no longer need the shortcut on your Google Drive, you can always choose to delete it. Here are the steps you can follow to delete a shortcut from Drive.

Open your browser and go to Google Drive.
Make a right-click on the Shortcut file.
Choose option Remove.

Your file is now moved to the Bin.

If you want to permanently get rid of all the screenshots from your Drive, make sure to clear the Bin folder. This applied to a computer and smartphones.

Also, you can delete any shortcut you have created but not the original file if you are not the owner of it.

Read How to Remove Suggested Files in Google Drive

Google Replacing Files and Folder Stored in Multiple Locations with Shortcuts

Google has now rolled out an incredible feature that will automatically replace all the multiple versions of files and folders in your Drive to their shortcuts. You will now get notifications about the replacement process that will begin soon for all your files.

Here is all you need to know about this.

All your duplicate files will be replaced with a shortcut, keeping the original file in a single location.
There will be no change in the ownership settings of the original file and the shortcuts.
The replacement is automated and you do not need to take part in the process in any manner.
There will be no change in the sharing settings of any of the files.
No one can opt out of the replacement process.

Conclusion

This is probably all there is to know about how to create shortcuts in Google Drive. There are a lot of important aspects to know before you delete or create shortcuts that we have mentioned as well.

Make sure to choose the right location of a shortcut on your Drive. If you accidentally add it to a folder you may not have complete access to, you will not be able to delete it in the future.

Furthermore, if you are facing any error on your Google Drive, you can let us know in the comment section below and we will get back to you.

Shirley

Hello, my name is Shirley. I’m a Google Drive expert and have been working with the platform since it launched. I’ve written extensively about Google Drive tips and tricks, and have created numerous tutorials on how to get the most out of the platform. I also enjoy creating tutorials to help people learn how to use Drive like pros. Read more