How do I delete a desktop icon that is a file without loosing the file?

: How do I delete a desktop icon that is a file without loosing the file?
Not all my icons are just shortcuts. Some are applications and some are files that I want to keep. The file is located in my documents but when I delete the icon/file from my desktop and then empty the recycle bin, my file is GONE. How do I keep the file but get rid of the desktop icon? And tell me what happens to the application if I delete the icon from my desktop and then empty the recycle bin.

Answers and Views:

Answer by helicopterrc
If your icon is a file, and you deleted it and also emptied the recycle bin ….. the file is GONE.

First you save your file in Documents folder > then you right click on the file > Send To > Desktop (create shortcut )
Now you have a shortcut of that file, NOT a file icon. You can, at any time, delete that icon from the desktop but the actual file still remains in Documents folder.