Ubuntu create shortcut to file. desktop extension, e. 04 with GNOME desktop environment. Creating a . pdf. It creates symbolic links to files and directories, providing a versatile and handy tool for various tasks. desktop extension in the ~/Desktop/ folder using any text editor. Jul 12, 2020 · You seem to have incomplete value in Exec key. How can I make folder shortcuts without manually editing? A help and support forum for Ubuntu Linux. /. Many users find themselves needing this functionality, and the Linux symlinks are able to accomplish this. May 2, 2012 · If you’re using Ubuntu 11. Nov 14, 2025 · In the Linux operating system, creating shortcuts can significantly enhance user productivity and streamline workflows. Aug 12, 2019 · To create the shortcut, simply copy the . May 31, 2021 · This will create a . Desktop files are text files with a ". Think of symlinks as similar to creating shortcuts on your desktop. Mar 19, 2025 · Windows Subsystem for Linux Distributions: Ubuntu-22. Nov 1, 2023 · In this quick tutorial, you’ll learn how to add application shortcuts on the Ubuntu desktop and other distributions that use the GNOME desktop. Commands: To add trash on desktop: gsettings set org. desktop file for general use Sep 3, 2020 · I'm running Ubuntu 20. Here, I will explain how to do it step by step. Nov 7, 2025 · Table of Contents Understanding Desktop Shortcuts in Linux What Are . desktop" extension that contain information about an application, such as its name, icon, and command to launch the application. Freedesktop sets that standard for the . These files contain specific instructions for how the Linux operating system should run the program and how the icon should look, among other things. What script I have to use? Dec 23, 2019 · How to add shortcut/starter (to file, program. I already copied the eclipse folder in /home/user/Programs and creat Nov 28, 2019 · Talking about creating files, you can always create files and copy it Ubuntu desktop, however, when it comes to shortcut for different applications, it isn’t that easy. Jun 21, 2024 · Nautilus (Files): Right-click on the . You can give it a better icon and name it. or folder) in the desktop or menu bar of Ubuntu 18. ), emojis ☺, and custom themes (color schemes, font styles and sizes, background image/blur/transparency). It will launch the application as if it was a windows application. 04 GNOME desktop so that the file opens directly when I click it, for example a spreadsheet file that opens with LibreOffice Calc. 10, you must install some packages. desktop file in the proper format. : $ touch ~/Desktop/app-launcher. desktop files directly from the system directory (or user’s local folder if any). outside of the Nautilus window) or to the Desktop folder within the Nautilus window (left panel). 04 GNOME. Create a file on your desktop (most likely ~/Desktop) that looks like this. Terminal specifies whether the command will run in a terminal window. desktop and insert these contents: Apr 3, 2019 · Keyboard shortcut is not the same. We can use the following command - ln -s <full path to file> /home/<username>/Desktop. 1. Here are some useful Ubuntu shortcut keys that will help you use Ubuntu like a pro. Example: ln -s /home/satyajit/Documents/myfile. Adding an Application Shortcut on Ubuntu May 23, 2024 · In this guide, we will use FreeTube as an example to demonstrate how to create a desktop shortcut for an AppImage and add it to the panel for quick access. Sep 21, 2021 · Path is an optional working directory. Is there any way to make a shortcut to a folder and put it on the Ubuntu partition? Oct 29, 2025 · Learn how to enhance your productivity in Ubuntu and other Linux distributions by customizing and managing keyboard shortcuts. Creating desktop shortcuts using terminal Jun 21, 2024 · If you are using Ubuntu 24. Hello, Unregistered. 10. Enjoy! Aug 4, 2022 · Is there any method to add shortcuts to an AppImage or anything similar to the desktop or the dock? Say, I downloaded Firefox directly from Mozilla, it is neither Snap nor deb, but a " click and use " file to launch. This method is to create a . Do not hold CtrlShift. See our article about creating shortcuts in Ubuntu 11. Use the Terminal by opening it with Ctrl + Alt + T, then create and configure a . Aug 15, 2025 · Navigate to the Target File or Folder: Browse through your file system to locate the file or folder you want to create a shortcut for. Like for a command "ssh user@123. 04 on which we need to make a shortcut to the desktop, however, most of the results I find on the internet are to use shift+control or alt and drag or right click and create link. Jun 2, 2022 · Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution based on Debian. Jun 24, 2020 · I reviewed the shorcut's configuration file and noticed that "create_dir=F10" is the option to create a new folder: What would be the shortcut configuration option for creating a text file (is it possible)? How about adding shortcut keys for other file types, such as HTML? May 5, 2021 · This article intends to describe that process. pdf /home/satyajit/Desktop. Sep 21, 2025 · Learn to create desktop shortcuts in Linux across GNOME, KDE, Xfce, and more. I'm on Ubuntu 10. desktop Files? Key Locations for Shortcuts Basic . This is an update about the transition of the forums to Ubuntu Discourse. The . We made it simple by listing only a few those mostly used in daily works and removing a lot of the rest. Jan 30, 2025 · How to Add Desktop Shortcut on Ubuntu Linux Ubuntu Linux is a powerful, user-friendly operating system that is popular among tech enthusiasts, developers, and everyday users alike. Then, you can right click on the desktop and select unlock widgets. Open the application menu and find the icon for your application. Either drag-drop to the desktop or copy using the regular method – Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. 45. txt that resides in the Documents folder, run the following command. A command line consists of an executable program optionally followed by one or more arguments. This OS is too damn inefficient. from your home Dec 1, 2025 · Yeah, the instructions say Open IntelliJ, click Tools, then click "Create Desktop Entry. Enhance efficiency with quick-launch icons on your desktop. 123 ", I just want a command "user" and the above command will run. So I tried the following: I looked for an app I w In Windows creating a shortcut (link) for a website is as easy as dragging-and-dropping the favicon/address bar to the desktop or a folder. 04 (or Unity)? There is no context menu on desktop doing this. Aug 6, 2025 · The new Windows Terminal enables multiple tabs (quickly switch between Command Prompt, PowerShell, or multiple Linux distributions), custom key bindings (create your own shortcut keys for opening or closing tabs, copy+paste, etc. Just starting out and have a question? If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place! One of the simplest ways to add application shortcuts to the Ubuntu desktop is by creating desktop files. desktop file. Jan 13, 2023 · 1 There are a few possibilities, but in all cases, keep in mind that accessing files on the Windows drive from WSL/Ubuntu is drastically slower than having them in the virtual ext4 filesystem. , Add shortcut to application list/menu/list We cannot just drag and drop applications from the Ubuntu launcher to create their desktop shortcuts, the how to add application shortcuts in Ubuntu 20. Dec 10, 2018 · Ubuntu how to create a shortcut that execute a command Ask Question Asked 7 years, 3 months ago Modified 7 years, 3 months ago Dec 19, 2024 · To create shortcuts for your favorite or most used folders in Ubuntu, you can follow these simple steps: Open the file manager by clicking on the files icon in the launcher or by pressing the Super key and typing "Files. Aug 8, 2025 · The Need for AppImage Shortcuts in Ubuntu While the inherent simplicity of AppImages is a major draw, the absence of readily available desktop or application menu shortcuts can hinder seamless integration into the everyday Ubuntu workflow. If you have not already done so, you can log into Ubuntu Discourse using the same And user may manually create it for an app that does not have one. 04. The executable program can either be specified with its full path or with the Sep 10, 2016 · 2 I use this : sudo apt-get install alacarte I want to create launcher for Android Studio, This is the simple way : Open Alacarte. Hello Everyone in this video, we will learn how to add desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu OS. Linux is always tricky to use. Just create the file and amend the Exec path to be the application you want to launch, then change the name and optionally the icon etc. Icon is an optional icon file, remove this line if you don't have one. desktop file, select “Properties”, and then click on the “Permissions” tab. Whether you're Apr 23, 2023 · April 23, 2023 Creating a Custom Application Launcher in Ubuntu 22 How to Create a Desktop Shortcut (For a terminal command) Note that the following instructions are for a terminal command. This is quite long because I have to navigate through the file manager and open the files. Create a Link: For Files: Right-click on the file. I have a ubuntu running in vmware, and the folder is mnt/hgfs/somefolder (shared folder from VMWARE). desktop file we create shall launch the folder viewer app xdg-open at the location specified by [folder-path]. ding show-trash true to remove Oct 10, 2018 · Users start programs on Linux with “launchers”. desktop Desktop shortcuts can be added by creating a file with the . 04? Sep 10, 2025 · Learn how to create desktop shortcuts for AppImage, files, scripts, or applications using Menu Editor, AppImageLauncher, and a custom method. Then, click on the three dots icon in the top right corner of the page and select "Add Shortcuts" from the menu. Jul 11, 2022 · Not hard. Nov 7, 2018 · I would like to pin a file's shortcut to the dock in the Ubuntu 18. Symbolic links are pointers to other files or directories, while aliases are custom names for commands. gnome. Jul 24, 2024 · In this post, I’ll show you how to create desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu using different methods, like the terminal, GUI tools like Nautilus and GNOME Tweaks, or third-party apps. In this article, we are going to discuss how to create a desktop shortcut for an installed application and files on Ubuntu. Oct 19, 2020 · Windows: Create a new Shortcut (right click in any windows folder) 2. Remembering 10 keyboard shortcuts doesn't look like a great idea. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to create symbolic links on Ubuntu 24. How do I do that? I see no option to do so after right clicking the respective file. shell. This link to the Desktop Entry Specification at Freedesktop. This blog post will delve into the fundamental concepts, usage methods, common practices, and best practices of How can I create a shortcut for URL in my desktop? I want to use them in Firefox or Chrome. Oct 14, 2022 · 1 I am running Ubuntu alongside Windows 11. 04? Mar 9, 2011 · See how easy it is to create shortcuts for your desktop and taskbar with our quick tutorial. One of the essential features that enhance user experience in Ubuntu is the ability to create desktop shortcuts. We can create desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu in two ways, through terminal or GUI. Aug 18, 2020 · I want to add a shortcut to a file in another directory (where it isn't located). The transition is complete and this forum is now closed to all new posts. On Linux, if you want to create application menu shortcuts, you’ll find that it’s a bit more difficult, compared to Mac or Windows, as users can’t just right-click on a program and select Aug 12, 2015 · I installed a program and I want to create a shortcut. Shortcuts allow users to access applications, files, directories, or specific commands quickly Sep 3, 2020 · I'm running Ubuntu 20. Skip ahead if you want instructions for an AppImage executable. Mar 21, 2020 · Create shortcut for Anaconda, Anaconda Navigator, Launch Anaconda Navigator in Linux//Ubuntu etc. This article describes how to create a working . 04 Desktop? Well, for that we manually have Open Files, in the hamburger menu in the top right corner go into "Preferences" and there will be an option to add "Create Link" to the right-click context menu. Now, you can drag it to your desktop or panel and it will be added there. Jul 21, 2022 · Learn how to create desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu desktop. I would like to create shortcut and add it to my favorites. 10, it’s easy to set up a shortcut that allows you to open any program as root or another user. The fact that creating a simple shortcut is anything more than 2 clicks is all I need to be glad to be a Windows user. 04 computer system in particular. Jun 6, 2025 · Knowing keyboard shortcuts increase your productivity. Jul 12, 2025 · This table includes essential Ubuntu shortcuts, terminal shortcuts, window management shortcuts, system navigation shortcuts, and file management shortcuts to help users efficiently navigate and manage their Ubuntu system. This simple, straight-forward add-ons makes creating desktop shortcut for your favourite apps a total cinch. desktop File Step 2: Define Basic Fields Step 3: Make the File Executable Step 4: Test the Shortcut GUI Methods: Creating Shortcuts Visually GNOME (Ubuntu, Fedora) KDE Plasma Sep 10, 2025 · Learn how to create desktop shortcuts for AppImage, files, scripts, or applications using Menu Editor, AppImageLauncher, and a custom method. For our example we chose Ubuntu One. The issue is there is a Tools object on the launch screen, but you need the Tools MENU. For demonstration purposes, used Ubuntu 22. To get started open Nautilus and locate the folders that you want to make new shortcuts for. 04 or 18. " Jun 16, 2024 · How to Create a Shortcut for an Application in Ubuntu # ubuntu # productivity # beginners # tutorial Sometimes, when you are new to Ubuntu and need to manually download applications and run them from an executable file, you may wonder how to create a shortcut similar to those in Windows. According to Exec key - Desktop Entry Specification The Exec key must contain a command line. Type helps categorise the application in the type of . This tutorial covers different methods, including using the command line and GUI on desktop. Can we add a shortcut to it on the desktop or to the dock as a favourite? I am using 22. Enhance your workflow! Jan 31, 2022 · In Ubuntu, every software that you install comes with an extra file stored in /usr/share/applications directory which contains all the details like name, location, icon, etc. Right-click on Ubuntu or other applications -> Create shortcut Click Yes on the msgbox saying the shortcut can be placed on the desktop. sh file works if clicked or run from its own directory. Here is a link how to use it. Thanks. To create such desktop shortcut in Ubuntu – create a file with the . May 3, 2020 · This simple tutorial shows how to send application shortcut icons to the desktop in Ubuntu 20. Drag but do not drop/release the file either to your desktop (i. Easy method to create an application shortcut in Ubuntu or other Linux systems. Whether you're Check that the . If you experience performance issues, consider moving the files into your Ubuntu home directory (~). Could I maybe launch the whole thing by clicking somewhere? The answer is: YES, by using a desktop shortcut (or "launchers How can I add game shortcuts to my Desktop or Startup menu in Heroic? To add game shortcuts to your Desktop or Startup menu in Heroic, first go to the page for the game you want to create a shortcut for. exe -u root -- /usr/bin/xfce4-terminal If you have multiple distributions use it like: "-d Debian" That's it. This guide Jan 10, 2025 · Translation: There is a computer with Ubuntu 22. desktop file also seems would not work as I believe it would work for 1 folder. For example, to create a desktop shortcut to a file called file. I tried the same in Ubuntu (Chrome browser), but it's not working. If there are no files in the folder, create one before doing "create launcher", and then after you have the shortcut, clean-up by deleting the file. Anyone needing support for Ubuntu or the official flavours should seek help at Ubuntu Discourse. @8FN you are the man. Oct 4, 2014 · I am using Ubuntu 14. If you want executables then you need *. Do not forget to add permissions for executing. 04 Gnome Shell. 04 easily and why you should use them. Aug 18, 2020 · You can do this using terminal command: You can also hold Shift + Ctrl and drag a file where you want to make a shortcut. 04 "Noble Numbat" which makes use of GNOME 46 technology as its desktop environment. desktop File Structure Manual Creation: Building a . sh File and Logo. 1) Shortcut to -> C:\Windows\System32\wslg. Jun 19, 2013 · Unity Launchers are actually files stored in your computer, with a '. We can easily create a Desktop shortcut for our files, folders, and installed software easily on Windows or Mac but on Ubuntu, it needs some work. Choose New Item Choose . For the example given, create a file on your desktop called deploy. This template. g. 04 (Default) I now see this in an explorer window (sync is pending): Notice that the type is File folder rather than Shortcut, I believe this is the indicator that windows applications like OneDrive will treat it like any other folder and will follow your link to backup the contained files. What script I have to use? Sep 22, 2025 · Learn to create desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu using GNOME. This blog will explore the You can create a shortcut from the Application folder: Access the Application folder by entering explorer shell:AppsFolder in Windows Command Prompt. Apr 18, 2021 · Learn the simple steps to add and create desktop shortcuts for installed applications on Ubuntu 20. Feb 14, 2022 · Learn how to create desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu using . One of the simplest ways to add application shortcuts to the Ubuntu desktop is by creating desktop files. Enable this option then right-click the file and select "Create Link" to make a shortcut. This option is not to create a launcher or shortcut link from any of the file managers. Customize with icons and ensure easy app access! How can I create a shortcut for URL in my desktop? I want to use them in Firefox or Chrome. Desktop Shortcut for Installed 3 days ago · Installing Arduino on Linux can be a more complex process than expected, especially for those unfamiliar with the command line. . Check the box next to “Allow executing file as program”. This is such a nice process. You may have tried dragging icons off the Feb 19, 2025 · In short, Symlinks act as pointers or shortcuts on the Linux command line interface so that users can access files and directories from different locations without following the original path of the file or folder. Conclusion Learning and utilizing keyboard shortcuts for Ubuntu can transform the way you interact with your system, making tasks quicker and more intuitive. Shortcuts, often referred to as symbolic links or symlinks, provide a way to access a file or directory from multiple locations without having to duplicate the actual data. 7. If it works there, right-click on it in Files aka Nautilus, select 'Make Link' This produces a file named 'link to xxxx. For our example, we want to create a shortcut for a file that is available in the Documents folder and its name is myfile. Jan 20, 2022 · To create application launchers on Ubuntu, all you have to do is copy and paste the app's desktop file (more on this later) to your desktop. For a truly desktop-like experience, users need quick and intuitive access to their applications. I can now only launch from command line. We divide this tutorial into three sections, first is to create basic shortcut on desktop, second is to create a custom shortcut for a custom program or command line or shell script and third is to edit existing applications menu to suit your Jul 24, 2024 · To create desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu, you can use several methods. Now let's start . Get step-by-step processes for existing files or manual creation. Shortcuts, also known as symbolic links or aliases, provide a convenient way to access files, directories, or commands with a simple reference. I want to type eclipse into the terminal to launch the program. Shifted to Ubuntu just to package one of my Unreal projects for Linux and can't wait to get back to my beloved. Categories is a list of applicable categories to help categorise the shortcut. desktop LINK to Mar 6, 2023 · Learn how to create shortcut on Linux, even if you're used to Windows. While still holding/dragging the file, press and hold CtrlShift. How can this be done? I tried s Mar 27, 2021 · In a nutshell that’s it for creating application shortcuts in Ubuntu (and many other Linux distros as this is a shared standard). You can also use this method to create shortcut to a file or folder. Dec 7, 2020 · Much more customizable desktop shortcut in Ubuntu can be created as a “desktop entry” – the configuration file that describes how a particular program is to be launched. Also, there's no need to cd . extensions. I often use Windows files and directories stored on the same computer but in different partitions. By using these shortcut keys, you can work quicker and more effectively. We divide this tutorial into three sections, first is to create basic shortcut on desktop, second is to create a custom shortcut for a custom program or command line or shell script and third is to edit existing applications menu to suit your Aug 25, 2023 · In this article, we will explore how to create desktop shortcuts on Ubuntu, using both graphical and command-line methods. Jun 2, 2022 · To create a desktop shortcut for any type of file. Oct 15, 2024 · This listing contains useful keyboard shortcuts for Ubuntu 24. In earlier Ubuntu versions, these files were simply used so as to launch a specific application, but in Unity they are also used so as to create right-click menus for each application, which you can access from the Unity Launcher. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. ” Click on it. 04 and installed Firefox 79 from tar file. Linux - Newbie This Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux. 04 LTS Linux using GUI. In the context menu, you will see an option like “Make Link” or “Create Link. In the WSLg Github repository README, Microsoft says this about how they automatically create shortcuts to Linux-based GUI apps on Windows: WSLg makes use of a custom RDP virtual channel between the Weston RDP Server and the mstsc RDP Client running on the Windows host. If you want to, you can add its icon to your desktop or panel. If a copy and paste didn't work. How can this be done? I tried s Mar 17, 2025 · Creating desktop shortcuts in Ubuntu 24 Mon Mar 17 2025 11:03:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) My script for starting the VM and mounting its filesystem as a folder in the host works well, but some days I feel extra lazy and I'd rather not type at all if possible. I'll pretend the script is named shortcut-demo and it is in ~/Desktop. To create a desktop shortcut in Ubuntu 22, first open a terminal window and follow these steps. Shortcuts allow users to access applications, files, directories, or specific commands quickly Aug 3, 2013 · I want to create a shortcut for a command in terminal. and Done. 04 with Gnome Shell Version 46. desktop file for you. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to install Arduino IDE from scratch and resolve common permission issues. Jan 6, 2016 · Using a type-1 (Application) desktop file is one option, but Link-type desktop files will also work for your purposes and is not tied to a particular file manager. Apr 6, 2025 · This tutorial will help you creating desktop shortcuts with icons on GNOME desktop environment in general and Ubuntu 24. I find it difficult to start an app by pushing the mouse pointer to the top edge. e. " What it DOESN'T say is between step 1 and 2 you have to open a project. 10 for instructions. Jul 21, 2022 · To create a desktop shortcut to a file or a folder, create a symbolic link of the file or folder to the desktop folder. Nov 14, 2025 · In the Linux operating system, creating shortcuts to files can significantly enhance your workflow efficiency. sh' in the same directory Drag this onto the desktop Rename it how you wish eg clean off 'link to' and 'sh', just leave the name, it will still work. org is for the following . Is this possible, and if so how can it be done? Thank you! Dec 23, 2019 · How to add shortcut/starter (to file, program. e. Jun 23, 2024 · Within a Nautilus window, click on the file to which you wish to create a shortcut. To be able to create a shortcut in Ubuntu 11. How can i create a shortcut to open a terminal with this path (mnt/hgfs/somefolder) without ne Mar 30, 2023 · Looking for an easy way to add application shortcuts to the desktop on Ubuntu? If so, the ably named Add to Desktop GNOME extension is what you need. Is it possible to create shortcut icon in desktop just like windows icons? If so , w Dec 28, 2023 · Ever found yourself needing to create shortcuts to files and directories in Linux? You’re not alone. Right click on the chosen folder and select Make Link. Exec key require the executable name with its path but you provided only the path. Want to put working folders and common used applications on your desktop? Apr 19, 2014 · I wonder, isn't still there an easy way to create a desktop shortcut in Ubuntu 14. desktop files or manually. 04 and 11. desktop file or icons to the desktop. desktop' extension. Method 1: Add App Shortcut to the Desktop in Ubuntu GNOME: While not being able to drop app shortcuts from system start menu to the desktop, users can copy the . The reson is that I normally create a folder called Links in which I have approximately 10 folder shortcuts. desktop File from Scratch Step 1: Create the . xqrb mwti fochtlnk oxli ayr tjvrp anrtx tsl tuzrxke ihsl