Subscribe RSS FeedBoth Mac OS X and Windows XP have a method of creating a file that is a link to an item elsewhere in the file system. OS X calls these links aliases, while XP calls them shortcuts. Each operating system has a different method for creating aliases/shortcuts.
Mac OS X
You can create an alias to any file or folder on your computer or network. To create an alias in OS X:
- Control- or right-click a file and select Make Alias
- Begin dragging an item, then hold down
-option. Release the mouse in the location you want to create the alias. Proxy icons (the icon in a window’s title bar) can also be dragged this way
To show the item that the alias links to:
- While the alias is selected, go to File > Show Original in the Finder
- Control- or right-click on the alias and select Show Original
- From an alias’ Get Info dialog, click the Show Original button
- Select an alias and type -R (for Reveal)
Windows
You can create a shortcut to any file or folder on your computer or network. To create a shortcut in XP:
- Right-click a file and select Create Shortcut
- Begin dragging an item, then hold down control-shift. Release the mouse in the location you want to create the shortcut
- Drag the icon in a window’s titlebar and release it where you would like to create the shortcut
- Drag a file/folder with the right mouse button, then select Create Shortcut from the contextual menu that appears when releasing the mouse button
- Select File > New > Shortcut in Windows Explorer, or use a contextual menu in an Explorer window to select New > Shortcut
