Adding Desktop Shortcuts to Your Favorite Applications on Ubuntu and Other Linux Distributions
A classic desktop operating system always has icons on the desktop screen, including popular programs like the file manager, trash bin, and shortcuts to various applications. While Windows allows you to easily create shortcuts on the desktop when installing programs, this feature is not available on Linux. However, if you’re a fan of having shortcuts on your desktop, don’t worry – there is a way to add them on Ubuntu and other Linux distributions.
Step 1: Locate the .desktop files of applications
To begin, open the Files application and select “Other Locations” and then “Computer”. From there, navigate to the directory usr → share → applications. Here, you will see icons for several of the Ubuntu applications you have installed. Even if you do not see the icons, you should be able to locate the .desktop files named as application.desktop.
Step 2: Copy the .desktop file to the desktop
Once you have located the desired .desktop file, simply drag and drop it onto your desktop or use the shortcut “Ctrl+C” to copy and “Ctrl+V” to paste it.
Step 3: Run the desktop file
You will now see an image file style icon on your desktop that represents the application. To make it functional, you will need to right-click on the .desktop file and select “Properties”. In the properties menu, you will need to allow execution permission for the file. Afterwards, you should be able to right-click on the file and select “Allow Launching” to turn it into a functional application shortcut.
If you are using Flatpak apps, the method is slightly different. The .desktop files are located in var → lib → flatpak → app. Simply navigate to the desired app’s folder and follow the instructions from Step 2 onward.
Keep in mind, if you don’t like a certain app shortcut on your desktop, you can always select and delete it without affecting the application itself. That’s all there is to it! Enjoy your new application shortcuts on Ubuntu’s desktop screen.
Conclusion
Adding desktop shortcuts to your favorite applications on Ubuntu and other Linux distributions may not be as straightforward as it is on Windows, but with this simple tutorial, you can easily customize your desktop to fit your needs. Give it a try and see how convenient it can be to have quick access to your frequently used applications directly on your desktop screen.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below. Happy shortcutting!
