Google Chrome’s ability to create desktop shortcuts for websites is an incredibly useful feature. You open sites in custom Chrome windows and they also appear to run like real Windows or macOS apps. Ideal if you hate messing around with tabs.
However, you may encounter certain problems when using Chrome’s Create Shortcut function. For example, certain shortcuts you create will launch in regular Chrome windows with tabs and the address bar visible. Or you may find the option grayed out and unusable.
That said, let’s take a look at a few fixes that can help you push this vital feature in the right direction.
Create Website Shortcuts Without Address Bar
Chrome’s Create Shortcut function is easy to use. However, during the rendering process, you must configure the browser to open the website in its private window (without tabs and address bar). Otherwise, the shortcuts you create will open in regular Chrome windows by default.
After loading a website, open the Chrome menu, point to Tools, then click Create Shortcut.
In the drop-down box that opens, make sure to check the box next to Open as Window.
Important:
Click the Create button to create the shortcut. You can now open the website in its own private Chrome window when you double-click it from the desktop (without the address bar).
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Configure Pre-Existing Shortcuts to Disable Address Bar and Tabs
If you’ve already created the shortcuts, you don’t need to go through this process. The app launcher in Chrome should let you easily reconfigure how shortcuts work.
start by typing chrome://apps into the Chrome address bar. Then you’ll see a list of all the website shortcuts you’ve created using Chrome over time.
Right-click the shortcut you want to open in a custom Chrome window (without the tabs and address bar), and then click Open as Window.
Now go back to your desktop and then double-click the shortcut. And voila! It should open in its private window.
Fix Shortcut Creation Option Grayed Out Issue
Sometimes you will see the Create Shortcut option is greyed out. This happens if you are using Incognito window or Guest window in Chrome. To fix the problem, you need to use a normal Chrome window.
To switch to normal browsing mode while in incognito mode, open the Chrome menu and then click New Window. Load the website you want to create a shortcut for and you should be able to access the Create Shortcut option without any issues.
To exit Guest mode, click the Guest profile icon and then click Exit Guest. Once again, load the website in a normal Chrome window and then you can once again access the Create Shortcut option.
However, the Create Shortcut option will still be grayed out on new tab pages or Chrome’s internal pages (like the Settings page). By design, Chrome restricts you from creating shortcuts to these pages.
Fixing Website Shortcut Not Showing on Desktop
If a website’s shortcut isn’t showing up on your PC or Mac, it’s relatively easy to fix the problem. Start by visiting the Chrome app launcher (type chrome://apps into the address bar). Right-click the shortcut and then select Create Shortcuts in the context menu.
Check the box next to Desktop and then click Create. You should then find the shortcut found on the desktop again.
If the shortcut cannot be displayed, you must delete the shortcut and re-create it. To do this, right-click the shortcut in Application Launcher and then click Uninstall from Chrome.
Next, load the website in a regular Chrome window and then recreate the shortcut – make sure to check Open as Window if you want the shortcut to open in a custom Chrome window.
Bonus Tip — Installing Progressive Web Apps
Starting with Chrome version 70, the browser now lets you install certain websites as progressive web apps. Also known as PWAs, these ‘apps’ work similarly to regular website shortcuts, but with enhanced functionality such as notification support and faster load times.
After loading a website, check for a ‘+’ icon in the right corner of the address bar. If you see one, click it and then click Install.
By default, ‘installing’ PWAs configures shortcuts to launch in their own custom window; this allows you to skip the additional step of checking the Open as Window box when using the Create Shortcut option.
Note, however, that you won’t see this option on most websites – in which case, you should use the Create Shortcut option instead.
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Choose Your Shortcut
Website shortcuts are incredibly useful. Having them work in their private windows will help you focus on the task at hand and increase productivity. However, be careful with the PWA versions of the sites. Installing these is not only much more convenient, but they are a blast to work with.
Next: Did you run these shortcuts again as desired? The next post shares seven other Chrome tricks to increase productivity.
