Can I delete Applications-folder from desktop?

Question

On my desktop on my Mac, there is a folder called "Applications". I think it is a shortcut to the actual applications-folder, but I am not entirely sure. If I delete the folder from my desktop, will it delete the actual applications-folder and all applications in it from my Mac?

Answer 1

Yes, it's a shortcut - the telltale small arrow gives that information.

You can safely delete it, it will not delete the original.