Ubuntu – How to create a desktop shortcut

16.04gnome

Can somebody please explain to me how to create a desktop shortcut to an application like Chrome or Blender as if I'm an idiot? I really don't get it. I have the gnome panel program thing and can run it (see image) but after that I'm lost.

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Best Answer

You have to install gnome-panel package which comes up with ability to create a application launcher on the desktop or wherever you like. Add --no-install-recommends suffix to prevent other package that aren't necessary.

sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends gnome-panel

After installing gnome-panel, use following command to create a launcher.

gnome-desktop-item-edit --create-new ~/Desktop

Once you execute the above command, create launcher application will be opened.

enter image description here

  • In Type field "Application" will be a default value. If you're creating launcher for application which has no gui, that runs in terminal like VIM editor then you need to select "Application in Terminal".
  • In Name field type application name.
  • In Command field type the executable command which open your application.
  • Comment field is optional.

To set icon, click on the small box on the top left side near name field and choose a image for it. Click "OK" if you are done.

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