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Asked: 2024-09-24T11:45:14+05:30 In:

How can I set up a desktop shortcut that links directly to a specific website on my Ubuntu system?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to create a desktop shortcut on my Ubuntu system that links directly to a specific website, but I’m kind of stuck. It feels like there should be an easy way to do it, but every time I look it up, I end up with instructions that seem way too complicated or are intended for more advanced users. I consider myself just an average user, so I could really use some help.

So, here’s the situation: I often visit this website for work, and it would save me a lot of time if I could just click on an icon on my desktop instead of having to open my browser and type the URL every single time. I don’t want to pin it in the browser; I want it right there on my desktop, like how I see people do it on Windows. Sorry if this sounds basic, but sometimes these seemingly simple tasks get more complex than they need to be!

I tried creating a shortcut manually by right-clicking on the desktop and looking for something that would allow me to create a new launcher, but I didn’t find any clear option. I also tried creating a text file and renaming it to .desktop, but I’m honestly lost when it comes to what content I need to put in there.

Do I need to include the full URL in some specific format, or are there any properties I should definitely include to make it work? Is there a visual way to do this, or is everything done through the terminal? I’m comfortable with basic terminal commands, but if there’s a GUI option, that’d be awesome too.

If anyone has gone through this or has a foolproof workaround, I would greatly appreciate your input! I really want to streamline my workflow, and having that quick access would mean the world to me. Thanks in advance for any tips, tricks, or step-by-step guides you could share!

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    2 Answers


    1. To create a desktop shortcut on your Ubuntu system that links to a specific website, you can easily do this by creating a `.desktop` file. First, open a text editor like Gedit or any other of your choice. In the new file, you’ll need to add the following content, replacing “” with the actual website URL you want to link to:

      [Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=YourWebsiteName
Exec=xdg-open ""
Icon=path/to/icon.png
Terminal=false

      Make sure to replace “YourWebsiteName” with the name you want for the shortcut and provide a valid path to an icon if you have one. Save this file on your desktop with a `.desktop` extension, for example, `YourWebsiteName.desktop`. After saving, you may need to make the file executable. You can do this by right-clicking the file, going to “Properties”, selecting the “Permissions” tab, and then checking the box that says “Allow executing file as program”. Now, simply double-click the shortcut, and your default web browser will open the specified website.




    2. Creating a Desktop Shortcut for a Website in Ubuntu

      How to create a desktop shortcut for a website in Ubuntu

      Creating a desktop shortcut for a website in Ubuntu is actually pretty straightforward! You can do this using a .desktop file, and I’ll walk you through the steps. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple!

      Step 1: Open a Text Editor

      First things first, you’ll need to open a text editor. You can use something like gedit, nano, or any other text editor you prefer.

      Step 2: Write the Shortcut Content

      Now, you need to create a .desktop file. Here’s a sample of what you should write:

      [Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Name=My Favorite Website
Comment=Click to open my favorite website
Exec=xdg-open https://www.example.com
Icon=web-browser
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Utility;

      Make sure to replace https://www.example.com with the actual URL you want to link to, and feel free to change “My Favorite Website” to whatever name you’d like to see on your desktop.

      Step 3: Save the File

      Save this file on your desktop as my_website.desktop. Make sure it has the .desktop extension!

      Step 4: Make it Executable

      Now, you need to make this .desktop file executable. You can do this through the terminal. Open up a terminal and run:

      chmod +x ~/Desktop/my_website.desktop

      Step 5: Test Your Shortcut

      Now, go back to your desktop and you should see your newly created shortcut. Double-click it, and it should open your web browser to the specified website!

      Alternative GUI Method

      If you’re more comfortable using a graphical interface, you can also use a tool like Alacarte (Main Menu) to create launchers, but creating the .desktop file manually is often quicker for simple tasks like this.

      That’s it! Now you have a quick way to access your favorite site without having to type in the URL every time. If you have any follow-up questions, feel free to ask!


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