How to Make a Desktop Shortcut for a Website (Windows & macOS)

In today’s world, speed and convenience are everything. And sometimes, you just want to open your favorite website with a single click—no typing, no bookmarks, no browser hunting. That’s where desktop shortcuts for websites come in.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through how to create a desktop shortcut for any website, whether you’re using Windows or macOS. It's simple, free, and takes less than a minute.

How to Make a Website Shortcut on Windows

Let’s start with Windows, since most people still use it at home and at work. There are several ways to do this depending on your browser: Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. You can also make one manually with just a right-click.

Method 1: Using Google Chrome

Open the website in Chrome.
Click the three dots menu (top right).
Go to More Tools > Create Shortcut.
Name your shortcut.
(Optional) Check "Open as window" if you want it to act like an app.
Click Create.

You’ll see a new shortcut on your desktop with the site’s icon. Double-click it, and boom—your site is up.

Tip: “Open as window” makes the website feel like a real app, without browser tabs.

Method 2: Using Microsoft Edge

Open the website in Edge.
Click the three dots menu.
Go to Apps > Install this site as an app.
Name it and click Install.

It shows up on your desktop and even in the Start menu like a native app.

Method 3: Manual Drag and Drop

Resize your browser window so you can see both the desktop and browser.
Click the lock icon (next to the website’s URL).
Drag and drop it onto your desktop.

Simple, old-school, and works in most browsers. The downside is that it opens in a regular browser tab.

Method 4: Create a Custom Shortcut

If you want more control:

Right-click your desktop > New > Shortcut.
In the location box, type the URL:https://example.com
Click Next, name your shortcut.
Click Finish.

You can even change the icon:

Right-click the shortcut > Properties > Change Icon.
Browse to any .ico file or use built-in icons.

How to Make a Website Shortcut on macOS

Now let’s talk about Macs. The process is a bit different, but just as easy once you get the hang of it.

Method 1: Using Google Chrome (Mac)

Open the website in Chrome.
Click the three dots menu > More Tools > Create Shortcut.
Give it a name.
Check “Open as window” (optional).
Click Create.

This creates a shortcut in your Applications folder. You can then:

Drag it to the Dock.
Add it to Launchpad.
Or copy it to the desktop.

If you don’t see the shortcut, go to:~/Applications/Chrome Apps

Method 2: Using Safari + Automator

This is the Mac-native way, using Automator.

Open Automator (just search for it in Spotlight).
Select New Document > Choose Application.
In the search bar, type Get Specified URLs.
Drag it to the workflow pane.
Click Add and enter your website URL.
Then, search for Website Popup or Display Webpages and drag that next.
Save the app (File > Save) and name it.
Save it to Desktop or Applications.

Now double-click that “app,” and it opens the website.

Method 3: Drag the URL to the Desktop

Open Safari or Chrome.
Highlight and drag the URL from the address bar to the desktop.
Done.

This creates a .webloc file. When you click it, it opens in the default browser.

Method 4: Turn a Website into a Web App (Using Chrome)

If you want the shortcut to behave like an app:

In Chrome, go to your website.
Click the three-dot menu > More Tools > Create Shortcut.
Name it and check “Open as window.”
Click Create.

This puts it in your Applications folder. You can treat it like any other app.

Bonus: Pin the Website Shortcut to Taskbar or Dock

After creating a shortcut, you probably want quicker access—like from the taskbar (Windows) or the dock (macOS).

On Windows:

Right-click the shortcut > Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start.
You can also drag and drop it directly to the taskbar.

On macOS:

If it’s an app (created via Chrome or Automator), just open it.
Then right-click on its icon in the Dock > Options > Keep in Dock.

How to Change the Shortcut Icon

The default icon is usually the website’s favicon. But you can personalize it.

Windows:

Right-click the shortcut > Properties.
Click Change Icon.
Choose from system icons or browse for .ico files.

You can convert PNG/JPG to ICO using free tools like:

https://www.icoconverter.com

macOS:

Get an image file (PNG or JPG).
Open it in Preview > Command + A > Command + C.
Right-click your app/shortcut > Get Info.
Click the small icon in the top-left of the Info window.
Press Command + V to paste.

Boom—custom icon!

Common Issues & Fixes

Shortcut opens in the wrong browser– Set your default browser to the one you want the shortcut to open with.

Shortcut doesn’t open anything– Double-check the URL. Make sure it starts with https://.

Icons are blurry– Use high-resolution icons or .ico files made for Windows/Mac.

Can't find Chrome shortcut on macOS– Look inside ~/Applications/Chrome Apps.

Real-Life Use Cases

Here are some examples of when creating a website shortcut is super helpful:

Launching your webmail (like Outlook or Gmail) without opening the browser first.
Creating a quick-access “app” for Notion, Slack, or ChatGPT.
Opening your banking site securely and quickly.
Giving your kids or parents access to their favorite site without confusion.
Making a weather or news shortcut that you check every morning.

Why Make a Desktop Shortcut for a Website?

Before we jump into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Why would you even want to put a website on your desktop?

Here’s why it makes sense:

Faster access: Instead of typing the URL or opening bookmarks, a single click opens the site.
More productive workflow: Ideal for web apps like Gmail, Google Docs, Trello, or your client dashboard.
Organize your tools: You can place shortcuts in folders, taskbars, or docks just like real apps.
Helpful for non-techies: If you're helping family or coworkers, a desktop shortcut can keep things simple.

Not creating shortcuts means wasting time daily, especially if you rely on certain websites for work, study, or productivity. Over time, those few extra seconds add up—and so does the frustration.

Final Thoughts

Creating a website shortcut on your desktop is one of those small tweaks that ends up saving you time and mental energy every day. Whether you’re on Windows or macOS, it’s easy to do and even easier to love once you get in the habit.

So pick a site—your calendar, inbox, productivity tool, or even just your favorite café’s order page—and turn it into a shortcut. Your future self will thank you.