To put Google Chrome on your Windows desktop, click Start, open All (or All apps), find Google Chrome, and drag it onto the desktop. That creates a shortcut. To make a desktop shortcut to a specific website, open the site in Chrome, click More > Cast, save, and share > Create shortcut, and click Create.
This guide covers shortcuts to Chrome itself, shortcuts to websites, installing a site as an app, and fixing a missing Chrome icon. The website steps come from Google Chrome Help’s Create shortcuts for websites in Chrome and Use web apps pages.
How to Put a Chrome Shortcut on the Windows Desktop
- Click the Start button.
- Click All (or All apps) and scroll to Google Chrome.
- Drag Google Chrome onto an empty spot on the desktop.
Result: A Chrome shortcut appears on your desktop. This works in Windows 11 without changing any settings.
If dragging doesn’t work
- Search for Google Chrome in Start, right-click it, and choose Open file location.
- In the folder that opens, right-click the Chrome shortcut.
- Choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut). In Windows 11, you may need to click Show more options first.
Result: This creates a shortcut tied to the actual Chrome installation.
Create the shortcut by hand
A third route: right-click an empty spot on the desktop, choose New > Shortcut, browse to Chrome, and name the shortcut. Chrome is usually installed at C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe.
Pin Chrome to the taskbar or Start instead
If you’d rather keep your desktop clear, right-click Google Chrome in the Start menu and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start. Once Chrome is pinned, you can also hide the most visited sites that appear when you right-click the Chrome icon.
How to Create a Desktop Shortcut to a Website
- Open Chrome and go to the website.
- Click the three-dot More menu at the top right.
- Click Cast, save, and share > Create shortcut.
- Keep the suggested name or type a new one, then click Create.
Result: The shortcut appears on your desktop and in the Start menu, using the site’s icon. Double-click it to open the site in Chrome.
Install a website as an app
For a site you use like a program, such as email or a calendar, Google describes another option: More > Cast, save, and share > Install page as app. Some sites also show an Install icon in the address bar. Installed web apps open in their own window and, Google says, can include features like offline access and notifications.
To add a desktop shortcut for an installed app later, Google says to open chrome://apps in a new tab, right-click the app, select Create shortcut, and choose where the shortcut should go. For methods that work in any browser, such as dragging the address bar icon to the desktop, see how to create an internet shortcut in Windows 10.
Which Option Should You Use?
- Chrome shortcut on the desktop: best if you just want one click to open the browser.
- Pinned to the taskbar: keeps Chrome one click away even when windows cover your desktop.
- Website shortcut: opens one site in Chrome, like a bookmark that lives on your desktop.
- Installed web app: opens the site in its own window without tabs, which suits tools you keep open all day.
The Create shortcut box has an Open as window checkbox. That reflects an older version of Chrome. In current Chrome, Google lists Install page as app as the way to get a separate window.
Troubleshooting
- Chrome isn’t in the Start menu: Try reinstalling Chrome, which usually restores the shortcut.
- The Chrome icon looks blank: A corrupted icon cache can cause this, so rebuild it, then restart the PC.
- A website shortcut disappeared: recreate it from chrome://apps.
- You want to remove a web app: open it and select More > Uninstall, Google says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting the desktop shortcut uninstall Chrome?
No. A shortcut only points to the program. Deleting it leaves Chrome installed, and you can create a new shortcut any time.
Can I do this on a Mac?
Yes. Open Finder > Applications, right-click Google Chrome, choose Make Alias, and drag the alias to the desktop. You can also keep Chrome in the Dock. On an Android phone, see how to add the Chrome app to your Android Home screen.
Related Guides
- How to start Chrome automatically when your computer starts
- How to change your Chrome startup page
- How to pin apps to the taskbar in Windows 11
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.