In Ubuntu 10.x, how do I create a shortcut on the Desktop? To files, URLs, folders and applications?

17
2014-01
  • therobyouknow

    In Windows you can right click on a file, icon next to the URL address from a browser, an application, or a folder and then drag to the Desktop to create a quick convenient shortcut to opening/launching those. On my Mac I can do similar with "aliases".

    Both above solutions are simple mouse gestures.

    How can you do the same with Ubuntu 10.04 or 10.10?

    I've already searched (below) but I either don't think these are going to work (can't try out at moment, not on Ubuntu machine) as they refer to middle mouse button (but this is purely the scroll wheel, right?) or using a command line - I don't want to have to do that every time I want to create a shortcut.

    Searched superuser.com too but no answers - though I would be very happy to be corrected if there is a answer.

    • Answers
  • Paweł Nadolski

    Just drag any icon while holding middle mouse button (or scroll-wheel) pressed. You can drag it to the desktop, Nautilus window (default file browser) or top icon bar. When dragging to desktop or nautilus window a context menu will appear where you need to choose "Link here".

    You can also drag applications with left button from Applications menu.

    To copy icon from top panel to the desktop you must drag with left mouse button.

  • udo
    • Open Nautilus: Places > Home Folder
    • Navigate to the directory where the file is
    • right click the file/directory
    • select Make Link
    • right click the created link
    • select Move To and select the location where you would like to move the link (e.g. Desktop, Home Folder, etc.)

    • Related Question

    desktop - Windows 7: Creating shortcuts to folders and pinning them
  • Zombies

    I need a system for having instant access to particular directories while not taking up too much screen space (ie: IMO, object dock is too obtrusive). At this point I am making short cuts to various "most used" folders onto my desktop... I need a better system.


    • Related Answers
  • veresszem

    If you are using Windows 7, it's really easy to quickly access your folders without installing any applications. First of all, make sure that you have Windows Explorer pinned to the taskbar (it is there by default).

    If it is there, open it and navigate to the folder you want to access with ease. Select the folder and simply drag-and-drop it's icon onto the Windows Explorer icon in the taskbar.

    After you pinned all the folders you need, you can quickly access them by right-clicking on the icon of Windows Explorer on the taskbar. You will see the folders under the 'Pinned' section on the top. You can rearrange these by drag-and-drop.

    See images here: IMAGES

  • outsideblasts

    A few ideas from lifehacker:

    medalfolders puts all your favorite locations two clicks away in the system tray.

    folder-guide adds user-defined folders to your right-click menu for quick, easy access to any number of favorite folders.

    direct-folders jumps quickly to any folder on your filesystem .

    folder-menu adds quick access to your favorite applications and folders through a popup navigation menu—and it even works in those irritating File Open dialogs.

  • 8088

    Have a look at Anvir Task Manager Free. Among tons of other useful features, you can access your favorite (Add Folder To This List) and most recent locations from the system tray:

    enter image description here

    A portable version is also available.

  • kevin

    Here is a nice trick to pin individual folders to the taskbar in Windows 7.

    Basically you create an empty .txt file, the rename it to .exe. Right click it and select "Pin to taskbar".

    Once it's done right click the new "pin" and change the shortcut to the folder that you wish.