Are you tired of scrolling through your computer files to find Minecraft every time you want to play? Create a shortcut for Minecraft and save time and effort! It’s easy to do – just follow these simple steps. First, locate your Minecraft launcher on your desktop or in your applications folder.
Right-click on it and select “Create Shortcut.” Then, drag and drop the shortcut to a convenient location, such as your desktop or taskbar. Now, you’ll have quick and easy access to Minecraft with just one click! Don’t waste another second searching for Minecraft – create a shortcut for Minecraft today and start gaming in no time!

Minecraft is a widely popular sandbox video game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds made of blocks. With its extensive gameplay and vast player community, Minecraft has become a beloved game for players of all ages.
- However, launching the game through its installation directory or application folder can be time-consuming and tedious, especially if you play it frequently.
- That’s where creating a shortcut for Minecraft can come in handy.
- In this article, we will explore step-by-step instructions on how to create a shortcut for Minecraft on both Windows and Mac operating systems, customize the shortcut, and troubleshoot common issues.
- So, let’s dive in and learn how to streamline your Minecraft gaming experience!
Why Use a Shortcut for Minecraft?
Before we delve into the process of creating a shortcut for Minecraft, let’s understand why it can be beneficial. Here are some compelling reasons to consider creating a shortcut for Minecraft:
Quick and Easy Access
Creating a shortcut for Minecraft on your desktop or in a preferred location allows you to launch Minecraft with just a click or tap, saving you the hassle of navigating through folders or directories every time you want to play the game.
Time-Saving
If you are an avid Minecraft player, launching the game through a shortcut can save you precious time, especially if you play the game frequently.
It eliminates the need to search for the game in your installation directory or application folder every time you want to play, making it more convenient and efficient.
Personalization
Creating a shortcut gives you the flexibility to customize the shortcut’s properties, such as changing the icon or setting other properties, to make it more visually appealing or suit your preferences.
Now that we understand the benefits of creating a shortcut for Minecraft, let’s move on to the step-by-step instructions on how to create a shortcut on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Creating a Shortcut on Windows
Step 1:Locate Minecraft Installation
The first step in creating a shortcut for Minecraft on Windows is to locate the Minecraft installation directory. Follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer by pressing the “Windows” key + “E” on your keyboard or by clicking on the “File Explorer” icon in the taskbar.
- Navigate to the directory where Minecraft is installed, which is usually located in the “Program Files” or “Program Files (x86)” folder. The exact location may vary depending on your system configuration or installation method.
Step 2:Right-click and Select “Create Shortcut”
Once you have located the Minecraft installation directory, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the “Minecraft.exe” or “MinecraftLauncher.exe” file, depending on your version of Minecraft, in the installation directory.
- From the context menu that appears, select “Create Shortcut.” This will create a shortcut for Minecraft on your desktop.
Step 3: Move the Shortcut to Desired Location
After creating the shortcut, you can customize its location to your preferred location. Here’s how:
- Click and drag the Minecraft shortcut from your desktop to your desired location, such as another folder or the taskbar.
- Release the mouse button to drop the shortcut in the new location.

Creating a Shortcut on Mac:
Step 1: Locate Minecraft Application
Creating a shortcut for Minecraft on Mac involves creating an alias of the Minecraft application. Here’s how to locate the Minecraft application:
- Open a Finder window by clicking on the “Finder” icon in the Dock or by selecting “File” > “New Finder Window” from the menu bar.
- Navigate to the “Applications” folder, where Minecraft is typically installed. You can access it from the sidebar in the Finder window or by navigating to the root directory and then selecting “Applications.”
Step 2: Right-click and select “Make Alias”
Once you have located the Minecraft application, follow these steps to create an alias:
- Right-click on the Minecraft application icon.
- From the context menu that appears, select “Make Alias.” This will create an alias for the Minecraft application.
Step 3: Move Alias to Desired Location
After creating the alias, you can customize its location to your preferred location. Here’s how:
- Click and drag the Minecraft alias from the original location to your desired location, such as another folder or the Dock.
- Release the mouse button to drop the alias in the new location.
Customizing the Shortcut
Now that you have created a shortcut or alias for Minecraft, you can customize it to your preferences. Here are some customization options:
Changing Shortcut Icon
You can change the icon of the Minecraft shortcut or alias to make it more visually appealing or easily distinguishable. Follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Minecraft shortcut or alias.
- Select “Properties” on Windows or “Get Info” on Mac to open the properties window.
- On Windows, go to the “Shortcut” tab, and on Mac, go to the “General” tab.
- Click on the “Change Icon” button on Windows or the icon thumbnail on Mac.
- Browse and select a new icon for the shortcut or alias from the available options or from a file on your system.
- Click “OK” or “Apply” to save the changes.
Setting Shortcut Properties
You can also customize other properties of the Minecraft shortcut or alias to suit your preferences. Here are some common properties you can adjust:
Name
You can change the name of the shortcut or alias to something more meaningful or descriptive.
Start in
You can specify a custom directory or folder that the shortcut or alias should start in when launched.
Shortcut Key
On Windows, you can assign a shortcut key combination to launch the Minecraft shortcut quickly.
Run
On Windows, you can specify how the shortcut should run, such as in a normal window, maximized window, or minimized window.
Compatibility
On Windows, you can adjust compatibility settings for the shortcut to resolve any compatibility issues with your system.

Benefits of Using a Shortcut
Using a shortcut for Minecraft can offer several benefits, including:
Convenience
Creating a shortcut allows you to quickly and easily launch Minecraft with just a click or tap, saving you time and effort.
Efficiency
With a shortcut, you can avoid the hassle of navigating through folders or directories every time you want to play Minecraft, making the gaming experience more efficient.
Personalization
Customizing the shortcut’s properties, such as changing the icon or setting other properties, allows you to personalize the shortcut to your preferences, making it visually appealing or more convenient for you.
Accessibility
Placing the shortcut on your desktop, taskbar, or Dock makes it easily accessible, especially if you play Minecraft frequently or have limited mobility.
Troubleshooting
While creating a shortcut for Minecraft is generally straightforward, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
Shortcut Not Working
If the Minecraft shortcut or alias is not working as expected, try the following:
Double-check the shortcut or alias properties, such as the file path, name, and start-in directory, to ensure they are correct.
Make sure the Minecraft application or launcher is installed in the expected directory and is not moved or deleted.
Try recreating the shortcut or alias following the steps mentioned earlier to ensure it is created correctly.
Shortcut Missing
If the Minecraft shortcut or alias is missing from its location, try the following:
Search for the shortcut or alias using the search function on Windows or Finder on Mac to see if it has been misplaced or accidentally deleted.
If you have moved the Minecraft application to a different location after creating the shortcut or alias, make sure to update the file path in the shortcut or alias properties to reflect the new location.
If you are unable to locate the shortcut or alias, you may need to recreate it following the steps mentioned earlier.
Shortcut Not Launching Minecraft
If the Minecraft shortcut or alias is not launching Minecraft when clicked or tapped, try the following:
Ensure that the Minecraft application or launcher is installed and functioning properly. If it is not installed or not working, the shortcut or alias may not work either.
Double-check the shortcut or alias properties to ensure that the file path and other properties are correctly set.
Try running the Minecraft application or launcher directly from its original location without using the shortcut or alias to see if it launches successfully. If it does, then the issue may be with the shortcut or alias.
Conclusion
Creating a shortcut or alias for Minecraft can be a convenient and efficient way to quickly launch the game from your preferred location with just a click or tap.
By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can create a customized shortcut or alias for Minecraft and enjoy the benefits of easy accessibility and personalization.
If you encounter any issues, troubleshooting tips are provided to help you resolve them. So go ahead and create your Minecraft shortcut or alias and enhance your gaming experience today! Read more…
FAQs
Q: Can I create a shortcut for Minecraft on my desktop?
A: Yes, you can create a shortcut for Minecraft on your desktop or any other preferred location using the steps mentioned in this article.
Q: Can I create a shortcut for Minecraft on my Mac?
A: Yes, you can create a shortcut or alias for Minecraft on your Mac using the Finder application, as outlined in the article.
Q: What should I do if my Minecraft shortcut is not working?
A: If your Minecraft shortcut or alias is not working, you can try troubleshooting steps such as checking the file path, verifying the Minecraft application or launcher is installed and functioning properly, and recreating the shortcut or alias if necessary, as mentioned in the article.