Here's how to do it on both:
Windows:
There are three main ways to create a shortcut on a Windows desktop:
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Drag and Drop:
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Find the program, file, or folder you want to create a shortcut for.
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Click and hold the icon with your mouse.
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While holding the mouse button, drag the icon to your desktop.
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For files: If you want to just create a shortcut to the file itself and not move the file, hold down the Alt key on your keyboard while dragging the icon. Release the mouse button when it's on your desktop, and a new shortcut will be created.
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Right-Click Method:
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Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
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A menu will appear. Select New > Shortcut.
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In the "Location" field, browse to the file, program, or folder you want to create a shortcut for. You can also type the location path directly.
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Click Next.
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Enter a name for the shortcut and click Finish.
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From the Start Menu (Windows 10/11):
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Open the Start Menu (by clicking the Windows icon in the taskbar).
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Find the program you want to create a shortcut for in the list or by searching for it.
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Right-click on the program icon and select More > Open file location. This will open the location of the program on your computer.
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Right-click on the program's icon in this new window and select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
macOS:
On macOS, the process is slightly different:
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Drag and Drop:
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Find the program, file, or folder you want to create a shortcut for (alias on macOS).
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Click and hold the icon with your mouse.
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While holding the mouse button, drag the icon to your desktop.
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Important: Hold down the Option key on your keyboard while dragging the icon. This will create an alias (shortcut) instead of moving the original file.
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Right-Click Method:
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Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
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A menu will appear. Select New Alias.
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In the new window, navigate to the file, program, or folder you want to create an alias for. You can also type the location path directly.
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Click Choose. The alias will be created on your desktop