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Asked: 2024-09-26T23:57:58+05:30 In:

How can I create a desktop shortcut on Ubuntu that links to a specific URL?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to create a desktop shortcut on my Ubuntu system that links directly to a specific URL, and I’m honestly stumped. It seems like something that should be simple, but every time I try to follow the suggestions I find online, I get a bit lost in the process.

Here’s what I’m working with: I use Ubuntu for a lot of my tasks, and I often find myself needing to access certain websites quickly. Instead of opening my web browser and typing in the URL every time (which feels super inefficient), I’d love to just have a quick desktop shortcut that takes me straight to my favorite website. I know that creating shortcuts in Windows is pretty straightforward, and I really assumed it would be similar in Ubuntu, but it hasn’t turned out that way for me.

So, I’ve been researching, and I came across some instructions that mention creating a `.desktop` file. I get the gist that this file tells the system how to launch certain applications or websites, but then there’s all this talk about file permissions and editing text files, and it’s become a bit overwhelming!

Have any of you done this before? It would be awesome to get some step-by-step guidance or even a detailed example. I’m not super tech-savvy, but I can follow instructions. If someone could break down the process for me, explaining how to create this file and what exactly I need to write inside it, that would be a lifesaver.

Also, any tips on where to save this `.desktop` file once I create it would be super helpful. Do I just throw it on the desktop, or is there a specific folder I should be placing it in?

I appreciate any help you can give! I’m really looking forward to zipping over to my favorite sites with just a click. Thanks in advance for your advice!

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    2 Answers


    1. To create a desktop shortcut for a specific URL on your Ubuntu system, you’ll need to create a `.desktop` file. First, open a text editor of your choice (like Gedit) and paste the following template into it:

      [Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=My Favorite Website
Comment=Open my favorite website quickly
Exec=xdg-open https://www.example.com
Icon=web-browser
Terminal=false

      Make sure to replace `My Favorite Website` with the name you want to give your shortcut and change `https://www.example.com` to your desired URL. Save the file as `my_favorite_website.desktop`. Next, you’ll need to make the file executable. Open a terminal and navigate to the location where you saved the file, then run the command `chmod +x my_favorite_website.desktop`. Finally, to place your shortcut on the desktop, move the `.desktop` file there using the terminal command `mv my_favorite_website.desktop ~/Desktop/` or by dragging it manually. After doing this, you should see the shortcut on your desktop, and double-clicking it will open your favorite website directly in your web browser.




    2. Creating a Desktop Shortcut in Ubuntu


      How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for a URL in Ubuntu

      I totally get where you’re coming from! Creating a desktop shortcut to a specific URL in Ubuntu can feel a bit tricky at first, but I’ll break it down step by step so you can get it done easily.

      Step-by-Step Guide

      1. First, you’ll need to open your text editor. You can use any text editor you like, such as Gedit, Nano, or even VSCode. For simplicity, let’s say you’re using Gedit.
      2. Create a new file and copy this basic template into it:
        3. [Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Name=Your Favorite Site
Comment=Shortcut to Your Favorite Website
Exec=xdg-open http://yourfavoriteurl.com
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Icon=web-browser

        Make sure to replace Your Favorite Site with the name you want for the shortcut and http://yourfavoriteurl.com with the actual URL of the site you want to visit.

      3. Next, you need to save this file with a .desktop extension. For example, you can name it MyWebsite.desktop.
      4. Once you’ve saved the file, go to the folder where you saved it (usually your Home directory unless you specified otherwise).
      5. Now, you need to make this file executable. You can do this by right-clicking the file and selecting Properties, going to the Permissions tab, and checking the box that says Allow executing file as program.
      6. Alternatively, you can use the terminal. Navigate to the directory where your .desktop file is located and run the following command:
        7. chmod +x MyWebsite.desktop
      7. Finally, move or copy the .desktop file to your Desktop or the ~/Desktop folder. This way, you’ll see it on your desktop.

      Now, when you double-click that shortcut on your desktop, it should open your favorite website directly in your web browser!

      Tips:

      • If you want to keep things tidy, you can also place the .desktop file in ~/.local/share/applications instead of the desktop, and it will appear in your application menu.
      • Always make sure the path to the icon you want (if you decide to use a custom one) is correct in the Icon line.
      • If you encounter any issues, double-check the URL and the syntax in your .desktop file.

      Hope this helps you get your shortcut up and running! Happy surfing!


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