How to Create Desktop Shortcuts with Chrome

Creating desktop shortcuts with Chrome gives you one-click access to your favorite websites. In Chrome on a computer, open the site, then select More (three dots) > Cast, save, and share > Create shortcut…, as Google’s Create shortcuts for websites in Chrome help describes. If you want the site to open in its own window like an app, install it as a web app instead (covered below). This guide covers Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Creating a Desktop Shortcut in Chrome

On Windows

1. Open Chrome and navigate to the website you wish to create a shortcut for.
2. At the top right, select More (three dots) > Cast, save, and share > Create shortcut….
3. In the dialog box, keep the suggested name or type a new one.
4. Select Create.

To add the shortcut to your taskbar, right-click on the new desktop shortcut and select Pin to Taskbar.

On macOS

1. Open Chrome and navigate to the desired website.
2. Select More > Cast, save, and share > Create shortcut….
3. Keep or change the name, then select Create.
4. Drag the new shortcut to the Dock if you want it there.

On Linux

1. Launch Chrome and visit the website you want to shortcut.
2. Select More > Cast, save, and share > Create shortcut….
3. Keep or change the name, then select Create.
4. Find the shortcut on your desktop or in your app menu and move it where you want it.

Creating PWA Shortcuts

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) open in their own window and can be installed directly from Chrome (Google’s Use web apps help).

1. Visit the website you want to install.
2. Select More > Cast, save, and share > Install page as app…. On some websites you can also select Install at the right of the address bar.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. The app can then be pinned to the taskbar or Dock. To add a desktop shortcut for an installed app, open chrome://apps, right-click the app and select Create shortcut.

Using chrome:// URLs for Advanced Settings

For more control over your Chrome settings, you can use Chrome URLs. Copy one and paste it into the address bar.

• Access general settings via chrome://settings.
• To experiment with experimental features, visit chrome://flags.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Efficiency

• Windows and Linux: Open the Chrome menu with Alt + F or Alt + E and navigate using the arrow keys.
• macOS: Open Chrome’s Settings in a new tab with Cmd + ,.

These come from Google’s Chrome keyboard shortcuts list.