What shortcuts do on a Chromebook
A shortcut on a Chromebook is a clickable icon that opens an app, website, or file without you having to search for it. Shortcuts sit on your desktop or in your app drawer — the same place you find your built-in apps like Gmail and Google Drive. When you click a shortcut, it launches whatever it points to, whether that's a web page you visit every day or a document you use for work.
Shortcuts save time because they cut out the middle step of opening a browser, typing a web address, or hunting through your files. They also make your Chromebook feel more organized — you can group the things you use most where you can find them when ready. Unlike a bookmark in your browser, a shortcut is a standalone icon that works the same way whether you are online or offline.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a shortcut to any website by right-clicking the page, selecting "Create shortcut", and choosing whether to place it on your desktop or in your app drawer.
- Shortcuts to files and folders live in your Files app and can be created by right-clicking the item and selecting "Create shortcut".
- You can rearrange shortcuts in your app drawer by clicking and dragging them to a new position, or move them between folders you create yourself.
- Deleting a shortcut removes only the icon, not the website, file, or app it pointed to — the original remains untouched.
Creating a shortcut to a website
Open the website you want to turn into a shortcut in your Chrome browser. Navigate to the page and wait for it to load completely. Then right-click anywhere on the page — the exact spot does not matter. A menu will appear with several options.
Look for the option that says "Create shortcut" and click it. A small window will pop up asking what you want to name the shortcut. The name you type here is what will appear under the icon on your desktop or in your app drawer, so keep it short and clear — something like "Gmail" or "Project Tracker" works better than a long phrase. Once you have entered the name, you will see two choices: "Desktop" or "App drawer". Choose Desktop if you want the shortcut visible on your main screen. Choose App drawer if you want it grouped with your other apps and out of the way. Click "Create" and the shortcut appears in your chosen location.
Creating a shortcut to a file or folder
Open your Files app — this is the folder icon in your shelf at the bottom of the screen. Navigate to the file or folder you want to create a shortcut for. Right-click on it and select "Create shortcut" from the menu that appears.
A new shortcut icon will appear in the same folder as the original. You can then move this shortcut to your desktop or app drawer by dragging it. The shortcut points to the original file or folder, so if you move or delete the original later, the shortcut will no longer work. This is different from copying — the shortcut takes up almost no storage space because it is just a pointer, not a duplicate of the file itself.
Organizing shortcuts in your app drawer
Your app drawer is where all your apps and shortcuts live when they are not on your desktop. To open it, click the grid icon in the bottom left corner of your screen. You will see all your apps and any shortcuts you have created displayed as icons.
You can rearrange shortcuts by clicking and dragging them to a new position. They will shift around other icons to make room. If you want to group related shortcuts together, you can create a folder inside your app drawer by right-clicking in an empty space and selecting "Create folder". Give the folder a name like "Work" or "Entertainment", then drag shortcuts into it. This keeps your app drawer tidy and makes it faster to find what you need.
Moving shortcuts between your desktop and app drawer
A shortcut can live on your desktop, in your app drawer, or both. To move a shortcut from your desktop to your app drawer, right-click the shortcut icon and select "Move to trash". This removes it from your desktop but does not delete the original website, file, or app. Then create a new shortcut using the steps above and choose "App drawer" instead of "Desktop".
To move a shortcut from your app drawer to your desktop, right-click the shortcut in the app drawer and select "Open file location". This opens the folder where the shortcut is stored. Right-click the shortcut again and select "Copy". Then right-click on your desktop and select "Paste". The shortcut now appears on your desktop as well as in your app drawer — you can delete it from the app drawer if you prefer to keep it only on your desktop.
Removing shortcuts you no longer use
Deleting a shortcut is straightforward and safe. Right-click the shortcut icon — whether it is on your desktop or in your app drawer — and select "Move to trash" or "Delete". The shortcut disappears, but the website, file, app, or folder it pointed to remains completely untouched. You have not deleted anything except the icon itself.
If you change your mind, you can recreate the shortcut at any time using the same steps you used to create it the first time. There is no penalty for deleting and recreating shortcuts, so do not worry about making the wrong choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a shortcut to a Google Doc or Sheet?
Yes. Open the document in Google Drive or in your browser, then right-click the page and select "Create shortcut". Name it and choose Desktop or App drawer. The shortcut will open that specific document when you click it.
What happens if I delete the original file that a shortcut points to?
The shortcut will no longer work — clicking it will show an error message. You can delete the shortcut at that point, or recreate it pointing to a different file if you have moved the original elsewhere.
Can I put shortcuts in folders on my desktop?
Chromebooks do not support folders on the desktop itself, but you can create folders inside your app drawer and organize shortcuts there. This is the recommended way to group related shortcuts.
Do shortcuts take up storage space on my Chromebook?
No. Shortcuts are just pointers to the real item, so they use almost no storage. You can create as many as you want without worrying about running out of space.
Can I create a shortcut to a specific search result?
Yes. Navigate to the search result page, right-click, and select "Create shortcut". When you click the shortcut later, it will open that same search results page in your browser.