What a Chrome shortcut is and why you might want one
A Chrome shortcut is a clickable icon that opens a website or web app directly from your desktop, taskbar, or home screen — without opening the full Chrome browser first. When you click it, Chrome launches in the background and takes you straight to that site. This is different from a bookmark, which lives inside Chrome's menu.
Shortcuts are useful if you visit the same few sites every day. Instead of opening Chrome, waiting for it to load, then clicking a bookmark, you click once and you're there. You can create shortcuts for Gmail, Google Drive, your bank's website, a project management tool, or any other site you use regularly.
Chrome also lets you create shortcuts for web apps — sites designed to work like desktop programs. Google Docs, Figma, and Trello are examples. A shortcut to a web app can feel almost like having the real software installed on your computer.
Key Takeaways
- Open the website you want, click the three-dot menu in the top right, then select "Create shortcut" to make a desktop or taskbar icon.
- You can rename the shortcut before you create it, and you can choose whether it opens in a window by itself or in a regular Chrome tab.
- Shortcuts appear on your desktop or in your taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac) when ready after you create them.
- Deleting a shortcut does not delete your browsing history or data for that website — it only removes the icon.
How to create a shortcut on Windows
Open Chrome and go to the website you want to create a shortcut for. In the top right corner, click the three vertical dots (the menu button). Scroll down and click "Create shortcut".
A small dialog box will appear with a text field showing the site's name. You can change this name to anything you want — for example, you could change "Google Drive" to "My Files" if that's clearer to you. Below the name field, there is a checkbox that says "Open as window". If you check this box, the shortcut will open the site in its own window without the Chrome toolbar visible. If you leave it unchecked, the site opens in a regular Chrome tab. Choose whichever feels more natural to you.
Click "Create" when you're ready. The shortcut appears on your desktop when ready. You can now drag it to your taskbar if you want it there instead, or leave it on the desktop. Right-click the shortcut anytime to rename it, change its icon, or delete it.
How to create a shortcut on Mac
The process on Mac is nearly identical. Open the website in Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "Create shortcut".
The same dialog appears. Type the name you want for the shortcut and decide whether to check "Open as window". On Mac, the shortcut appears on your desktop. You can drag it to your dock if you prefer to have it there instead. To remove it later, drag it to the Trash or right-click and select "Move to Trash".
Opening a website as a web app instead of a shortcut
Chrome offers a second option called "Install app" that works similarly but creates a more app-like experience. To find this option, open the website, click the three-dot menu, and look for "Install [site name]" near the top of the menu. This option only appears for sites that are designed to work as web apps.
An installed web app behaves slightly differently from a shortcut. It opens in its own window without the Chrome address bar, it can work offline if the site supports it, and it may send you notifications. For most people, a regular shortcut is simpler and works just as well. Use "Install app" only if the website specifically recommends it or if you want the offline features.
Renaming, moving, and deleting shortcuts
You can rename a shortcut anytime after you create it. On Windows, right-click the shortcut and select "Rename". Type the new name and press Enter. On Mac, right-click (or Control-click) the shortcut, select "Rename", and type the new name.
To move a shortcut on Windows, drag it from your desktop to your taskbar, or vice versa. On Mac, drag it between your desktop and dock. You can also create a folder on your desktop and drag shortcuts into it to keep them organized.
To delete a shortcut, right-click it and select "Delete" (Windows) or "Move to Trash" (Mac). This removes only the icon — it does not erase your browsing history, saved passwords, or any data on the website itself. The next time you visit that site normally through Chrome, everything will be exactly as you left it.
Troubleshooting shortcuts that don't work
If you click a shortcut and nothing happens, the most common cause is that Chrome is not installed or has been moved. Reinstall Chrome from google.com/chrome and try the shortcut again.
If the shortcut opens but takes you to the wrong page, the website may have changed its address. Delete the shortcut and create a new one from the current website URL.
If you created a shortcut with "Open as window" checked and it's not opening in its own window, your version of Chrome may be outdated. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to "Settings" > "About Chrome", and let it update. Then try the shortcut again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a shortcut for a website that requires me to log in?
Yes. Create the shortcut while you are logged in. When you click the shortcut later, Chrome will remember your login and take you straight to your account. If Chrome forgets your login, you will see the login page instead — just log in again and you're in.
Will a shortcut work if I uninstall Chrome?
No. Shortcuts depend on Chrome to open. If you uninstall Chrome, the shortcuts will still be on your desktop or taskbar, but clicking them will do nothing. Reinstall Chrome and the shortcuts will work again.
Can I share a shortcut with someone else?
You can email or send the shortcut file itself, but the person receiving it needs Chrome installed for it to work. It is usually easier to just send them the website link or tell them the site's name so they can create their own shortcut.
What is the difference between a shortcut and a bookmark?
A bookmark lives inside Chrome's menu and requires you to open Chrome first. A shortcut is an icon on your desktop or taskbar that opens Chrome and the website in one click. Shortcuts are faster if you use the same sites every day.
Can I change the icon for a shortcut?
On Windows, right-click the shortcut, select "Properties", click "Change icon", and choose a new one from your computer. On Mac, right-click the shortcut, select "Get Info", drag an image file onto the icon in the top left, and close the window. The change takes effect when ready.