How to Create Website Shortcut on Desktop Chrome

Have you ever wanted to open your favorite website right from your desktop — just like an app? You’re not alone. Many of us visit specific websites daily — like Gmail, YouTube, or news portals — and having a shortcut on your desktop can save time and make life easier. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a website shortcut on desktop Chrome step by step.

Whether you’re using Windows 10, Windows 11, or macOS, this comprehensive guide will help you set up shortcuts that open directly in Google Chrome with a single click.

What Is a Website Shortcut?

A website shortcut is a clickable desktop icon that instantly opens a specific website in your preferred browser — in this case, Google Chrome.

Think of it like a mobile app icon: one click and you’re on your favorite page. Instead of typing the URL or searching for it in bookmarks, a shortcut brings the page up instantly.

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Why Create a Website Shortcut on Your Desktop?

Creating website shortcuts offers multiple benefits:

✅ Convenience

No need to open Chrome first — just double-click and you’re there.

✅ Speed

Ideal for frequently visited sites like Gmail, Facebook, or work dashboards.

✅ Organization

Create folders or categories (e.g., “Work,” “Entertainment,” “Shopping”) with shortcuts inside.

✅ App-Like Experience

Chrome allows shortcuts to open in standalone windows, making them look and behave like desktop apps.

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Prerequisites Before You Start

Before we jump in, ensure you have:

• Google Chrome installed (latest version recommended).

• A stable internet connection.

• The website URL you want to create a shortcut for.

• Desktop access (Administrator privileges if needed on shared PCs).

Tip: It’s best to keep Chrome as your default browser to ensure shortcuts open correctly.

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How to Create Website Shortcut on Desktop Chrome (Windows 10 & 11)

Here’s the most direct way to create a desktop shortcut for any website using Chrome on Windows.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Chrome.

   • Launch Google Chrome on your PC.

2. Go to the Website.

   • Type the desired website URL (e.g., https://www.google.com) and press Enter.

3. Access the Menu.

   • Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the upper-right corner.

4. Select “Save and Share.”

   • In newer versions, hover over “Save and Share” or go to More Tools → Create Shortcut….

5. Create the Shortcut.

   • A pop-up will appear.

   • Enter a name for the shortcut.

   • Tick the box that says “Open as window” (optional but recommended).

6. Confirm.

   • Click Create.

✅ Result: A new icon appears on your desktop. Double-click it to open the website directly in Chrome.

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How to Open a Website Shortcut in a Separate Window

If you checked “Open as window”, your shortcut opens in a borderless Chrome window, without tabs or the address bar.

This makes the site look and feel like a standalone desktop app — ideal for productivity tools like Google Docs, Trello, or Gmail.

To enable this later:

1. Right-click your shortcut and choose Properties.

2. In the Target field, add a space and type:

   --app=https://www.yourwebsite.com


3. Click Apply → OK.

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How to Create Website Shortcut on Desktop Chrome (macOS)

Mac users can also enjoy the convenience of Chrome shortcuts.

Steps for macOS Users:

1. Open Google Chrome on your Mac.

2. Visit the website you want to save.

3. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

4. Go to More Tools → Create Shortcut.

5. Enter a name for the shortcut and select Open as window (optional).

6. Click Create.

A shortcut will appear in your Applications folder or Launchpad, which you can then drag to your Desktop or Dock.

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How to Pin Website Shortcuts to Taskbar or Start Menu

Want even faster access? You can pin shortcuts to your Taskbar or Start Menu.

Pin to Taskbar

1. Right-click your Chrome shortcut on the desktop.

2. Select Pin to taskbar.

Now you can open your favorite site with one click — right from your taskbar.

Pin to Start Menu

1. Right-click the shortcut and select Show more options (on Windows 11).

2. Click Pin to Start.

Your shortcut will now appear in the Start menu tiles.

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How to Change Website Shortcut Icons

If you prefer a customized look:

1. Right-click your shortcut → Properties.

2. Under the Web Document tab, click Change Icon.

3. Select from the default list or Browse to upload a custom .ico file.

4. Click Apply → OK.

Tip: You can download icons from sites like Flaticon or IconArchive.

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How to Delete a Website Shortcut

If you no longer need a shortcut:

• Simply right-click the icon and choose Delete.

• This only removes the shortcut — not the website or your Chrome data.

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Alternative Method: Drag-and-Drop from the Address Bar

A quick, classic method that works for both Windows and Mac.

Here’s how:

1. Open the website in Chrome.

2. Click the lock icon (or “i” symbol) next to the URL.

3. Drag it directly to your desktop.

✅ A clickable shortcut appears instantly. It opens in your default browser (make sure Chrome is set as default).

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Using Chrome Apps for Shortcut Creation

In older Chrome versions, websites added this way were called Chrome Apps.
While Google has deprecated standalone Chrome Apps, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) now serve a similar function.

To install a site as a PWA:

1. Open the site in Chrome.

2. If the site supports it, you’ll see a “Install” icon (a plus ➕) in the address bar.

3. Click it, then select Install.

The app-like version appears in your Start menu or Applications folder and can run independently — even offline, for supported sites.

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How to Create Shortcuts for Multiple Websites

If you frequently access multiple pages, create a small system:

This helps keep your desktop organized while making navigation faster.

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Troubleshooting: Shortcut Not Opening in Chrome

If your shortcut opens in a different browser or doesn’t work:

Fix 1: Make Chrome Default Browser

• Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps.

• Under Web browser, select Google Chrome.

Fix 2: Check Target Path

• Right-click the shortcut → Properties.

• Ensure the Target field begins with:

  "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"


  followed by your website URL.

Fix 3: Recreate the Shortcut

If all else fails, delete the old one and create it again using the steps above.

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How to Manage Website Shortcuts Efficiently

Over time, you might accumulate dozens of shortcuts.
Here’s how to keep them organized:

• Use folders for grouping (Work, Study, Entertainment).

• Delete unused shortcuts regularly.

• Name shortcuts clearly (e.g., “Gmail Inbox” instead of “Mail”).

• Customize icons for visual recognition.

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Conclusion

Creating a website shortcut on desktop Chrome is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to boost your daily browsing efficiency.

Whether you’re managing multiple projects, checking email, or streaming your favorite show, having one-click access from your desktop saves time and effort.

You can even make these shortcuts open in separate Chrome windows for an app-like feel.
And if you want to go further, customize icons, organize shortcuts by category, or pin them to your taskbar — the possibilities are endless!

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FAQs About Creating Website Shortcuts on Desktop Chrome

1. Can I create website shortcuts in browsers other than Chrome?

Yes. Browsers like Edge, Firefox, and Safari also support shortcut creation, though the steps differ slightly.

2. Why doesn’t “Create Shortcut” appear in Chrome?

If you don’t see the option, ensure you’re on a desktop version of Chrome — not mobile. Also, try updating your browser.

3. Can I open a shortcut in Incognito mode?

Not directly. However, you can edit the shortcut’s Target field and add --incognito at the end of the path.

4. How do I make Chrome the default browser for all shortcuts?

Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps → Web browser, then choose Google Chrome.

5. Do website shortcuts work offline?

Only if the website supports Progressive Web App (PWA) features. Regular shortcuts still need an internet connection.

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Summary: Key Takeaways

In short: Open Chrome → Go to site → Create Shortcut → (Optional: Open as Window) → Done!