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If you are a Microsoft Windows user or use any operating system for that matter, you are most likely using shortcuts that point to applications, folders and even files. Knowing how to manage your files and folders is an essential part of becoming a proficient Windows user.
Another common thing that people like to do is create bookmarks or favorites for their most commonly used websites. This makes it easy to access these websites with a click of the mouse, rather than having to search for them or type their URL in the address bar of your web browser. But what if you can combine shortcuts with bookmarks? In this article, we will be showing you how to create shortcuts to websites on your taskbar, desktop or start menu in Windows.
When it comes to creating shortcuts for apps, folders or files, the process is pretty straightforward. But the process of creating shortcuts for websites is a little different. And how it is done depends on the web browser you are using.
Create a Website Desktop Shortcut Using Any Browser
If you want to create a desktop shortcut to a website, then this is an easy process to and should work the same for any web browser.
To create the desktop shortcut, simply open the website you want to create the shortcut for and look for the icon to the left of the website address in the address bar (URL). This icon may look like a padlock or something completely different.
Next, partially minimize your browser so you can see the page and your desktop. Then simply click on the icon and drag to your desktop and release the mouse.
You will then have a desktop shortcut for that website, and it will be named after the site itself.
You can rename this shortcut to any name you like and even remove the shortcut arrow for the icon and other icons by following this procedure.
If you were to right click the shortcut and choose Properties, you can then click the Change Icon button to change the icon for your shortcut. You can browse your computer for a supported icon image file or even download one that you like online.
For most Windows shortcuts, you can simply drag them onto the taskbar to have them pinned there or right click and choose pin to taskbar or pin to start menu but since this shortcut uses a URL rather than a folder path, you cannot do this in Windows.
Create Website Taskbar and Start Menu Shortcuts in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome
If you use Edge or Chrome for your main web browser, then they both have the option to create website shortcuts that you can then place on your taskbar or start menu. This process is a little different for each browser, but you can accomplish the same goal regardless.
For Edge, simply have the website open you want to create the shortcut for and click on the ellipsis (…) at the upper right of the window and choose More tools and then either Pin to taskbar or Pin to start (or both if desired).
For Chrome, you will go to the three vertical dots at the upper right corner and then to Cast, save and share and then choose Create shortcut.
You will then be asked to give the shortcut a name, or you can go with the one that it creates for you based on the website name.
Chrome will then place a shortcut to that website on your desktop, but this will be a different type of shortcut than what we saw in the first process. This type of shortcut can be dragged to the taskbar unlike the other one. You can also right click on it to get the Pin to taskbar or Pin to start menu options like a regular shortcut.
Creating a Windows Web App Shortcut to Your Website
Both Edge and Chrome have the option to create an app for a specific website. That way you can open the website within the app in its own window, separate from your browser.
For Edge, go back to the ellipsis and then More tools > Apps and click on Install this site as an app.
You will then be prompted to give your new app a name, or you can stick with the one Edge chooses for you based on the website name.
You should then be prompted to place a shortcut on the taskbar or start menu. You can even add a shortcut to the desktop and have the website app open when you start your computer.
If you pin the app to your taskbar, you will then see it alongside your other pinned apps.
To manage your Edge apps, you can go to the following page and then do things such as create desktop shortcuts, configure auto-start options and even delete them.
edge://apps/
To create a website app in Chrome, go back to the three vertical dots and then to Cast, save and share > Install page as app.
Once again, you will be prompted to give your new website app a name or stick with the suggested one.
Then it will open up your new app, but this time will not prompt you to pin it to the taskbar or start menu. But you can right click the icon on the taskbar while it’s open and then choose Pin to taskbar.
You can go to the installed apps page in Chrome to manage your apps as well.
chrome://apps/
When you create a website app in Chrome, it will also be listed within your start menu under Chrome Apps.
It is also possible to pin documents and other files to the taskbar if needed.
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