Shortcut Genie

If your desktop space is not too crowded, it might mean that you have at least one folder where you just placed all shortcuts and files when it got full. Luckily, you can stop creating more chaos by using specialized applications like Shortcut Genie, which come with the means to provide quick access to shortcuts, files, and folders from one place.

One of the application’s main advantages is that it comes in a lightweight package, which doesn’t take any time, nor effort to get you ready. This means you can carry it on a USB flash drive, and even use it to store portable programs like itself, to be launched from its interface. Registries are not modified, thus keeping the target PC clean.

The visual design is pretty simple, with a classic window frame hosting all features, and not shiny elements to make it stand out from the crowd. A side navigation panel is used to let you quickly switch to other categories, while the rest of the space is a plain canvas on which you find shortcuts to your programs.

Adding an item can be done by just dragging it over the main window. However, folders can’t be added this way, and you need to use the import wizard, which takes you through a few steps, but doesn’t provide any extra options other than the target folder picker, and group to be placed in.

You’re free to change the default set of groups, but only the name. There’s no possibility to attach an icon or at least a color. The application lets you add any kind of file. Sadly, the view cannot be changed, and even though icons are big enough, a preview is not shown, nto even for pictures.

All things considered, we come to the conclusion that Shortcut Genie comes with good intentions, providing an alternative way to store files, shortcuts, and even folders, in different categories, to keep your desktop clean. Even though there aren’t plenty of customization options, it’s worth a try overall, for it’s simplicity.