How to Create and Manage Desktop Shortcuts for Websites in Google Chrome

Opening Google Chrome, typing URLs, or clicking through dense bookmark folders every time you want to access daily web utilities—such as webmail, project trackers, spreadsheets, or streaming services—adds unnecessary friction to your workflow. In Google Chrome, you can generate one-click desktop shortcuts for any website. Furthermore, you can configure these shortcuts to launch in dedicated standalone windows without browser toolbars, turning web pages into native-feeling desktop applications.

Standard Desktop Shortcut vs. ‘Open as Window’ App Mode

Chrome offers two distinct shortcut behaviours:

• Standard Browser Shortcut: Double-clicking the desktop icon opens the website as a regular tab inside your existing Chrome browser session.
• Open as Window (PWA Mode): Double-clicking the icon launches the site inside its own isolated app window without the URL address bar, tab strip, or extensions menu. The app receives its own independent taskbar icon, making multitasking via Alt + Tab fluid and distraction-free.

How to Create a Desktop Shortcut in Google Chrome

Generating a shortcut takes only three clicks:

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to the webpage you wish to shortcut.
2. Click the three vertical dots menu in the top-right corner of Chrome.
3. Hover over Save and share.
4. Click Create shortcut…
5. A confirmation prompt will pop up showing the website’s favicon logo and default page title.
6. Edit the name if desired (e.g., shorten “Spotify: Web Player for everyone” to simply “Spotify”).
7. Check the box labeled Open as window if you prefer the streamlined standalone app experience.
8. Click Create.
9. The shortcut will instantly appear on your desktop wallpaper.

Pinning Web Shortcuts to the Taskbar or Start Menu

To access your favourite web tools without minimizing open windows:

1. Locate the newly created shortcut on your desktop.
2. Right-click the icon.
3. On Windows 11, click Show more options and select Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start.
4. Alternatively, launch the shortcut in Open as window mode, right-click its running icon on the taskbar, and select Pin to taskbar.

Managing and Uninstalling Web Shortcuts in Chrome

If you create shortcuts using the Open as window option, Chrome registers them in its internal app repository:

1. In Chrome’s address bar, navigate to: chrome://apps
2. You will see an indexed grid of all installed web applications and windowed shortcuts.
3. Right-click any application tile to toggle Open as window, create launch shortcuts, or select Remove from Chrome… to cleanly uninstall the shortcut from your system.