How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for Any Website in Windows 11

If you visit specific websites daily — such as a company intranet portal, a web-based email client, or a specific Google Doc — navigating through your browser’s bookmarks or typing the URL every time can become tedious. Windows 11 allows you to create direct desktop shortcuts for any website, turning web pages into easily accessible icons that launch with a simple double-click.

Depending on which web browser you use, you can either create a standard internet shortcut or install the website as a Progressive Web App (PWA), which opens the site in its own clean, app-like window without standard browser tabs or address bars.

Method 1: The Quick Drag-and-Drop (Works in All Browsers)

The fastest and most universal method to create a website shortcut works identically in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Brave.

1. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the exact webpage you want to shortcut.
2. Resize the browser window so that you can see at least a portion of your Windows 11 desktop behind it.
3. Look at the address bar at the top of the browser. To the immediate left of the website address (URL), you will see a small icon — usually a padlock symbol indicating a secure connection, or an \”i\” icon.
4. Click and hold your left mouse button on that padlock icon.
5. Drag the icon directly onto your desktop.
6. Release the mouse button.

A new shortcut will appear on your desktop, typically adopting the default browser icon and the webpage’s title. Double-clicking this icon will instantly open the website in your default browser.

Method 2: Using the Desktop Right-Click Menu

If you prefer not to use the drag-and-drop method, you can create a shortcut directly from the desktop interface.

1. Right-click on any empty space on your Windows 11 desktop.
2. In the context menu, click New, then select Shortcut.
3. The “Create Shortcut” wizard will appear. In the box labelled Type the location of the item, paste the full URL of the website (e.g., https://www.example.com).
4. Click Next.
5. Type a name for your shortcut (e.g., “Company Portal”).
6. Click Finish.

Method 3: Creating an \”App-Like\” Shortcut via Google Chrome

If you want the website to feel like a native Windows application rather than just another browser tab, you can use Chrome’s \”Create Shortcut\” feature. This opens the website in a dedicated window without the distracting address bar, bookmarks bar, or tabs.

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to the website.
2. Click the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the Chrome window.
3. Hover over Save and share (or More tools in older versions of Chrome).
4. Click Create shortcut…
5. A small dialogue box will appear. Type a name for your shortcut.
6. Important: Check the box labelled Open as window. (If you do not check this, it will just act like a standard shortcut).
7. Click Create.

Chrome will place a shortcut on your desktop using the website’s actual favicon (logo) rather than a generic browser icon. When launched, the site operates in its own clean window, and you can even pin it to your Windows 11 taskbar for faster access.

Method 4: Creating an \”App-Like\” Shortcut via Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge offers a similar feature, explicitly referring to it as installing the site as an app.

1. Open Microsoft Edge and navigate to the website.
2. Click the three horizontal dots (…) in the top-right corner.
3. Hover over Apps in the menu.
4. Click Install this site as an app.
5. A prompt will appear asking you to name the app. Enter a name and click Install.
6. The website will immediately open in a new app window. A dialogue box will appear asking what you want to do with the app.
7. Check the box for Create Desktop shortcut and click Allow.

How to Change the Shortcut Icon

If you used Method 1 or 2, the shortcut will likely have the generic icon of your default web browser (such as a blue \”e\” for Edge or a multicoloured circle for Chrome), which can be confusing if you have multiple website shortcuts on your desktop. You can change this to any icon you prefer.

1. Right-click the shortcut on your desktop and select Properties.
2. Ensure you are on the Web Document tab.
3. Click the Change Icon… button at the bottom.
4. A window with default Windows icons will appear. You can select one of these, or click Browse… to select your own downloaded .ico file.
5. Once selected, click OK, then click Apply, and finally OK.

Your desktop shortcut now has a customized visual identity, making it easier to spot at a glance.