How to create shortcuts to application on the desktop on Linux Mint 18 or up?

Question

I want to create a shortcut to my program on the desktop on Linux Mint 18, but I simply can't find any ways to do this.

Solution 1

There are multiple ways to do this:

Method 1 (directories)

Go to the folder you want, right Click and select Make Link, then drag and drop it on the Desktop

Method 2

Find your application through the Linux Mint menu, right Click and press Add to Desktop

Method 3

Right click on the Desktop and press Create Launcher

The pop up window will ask you to either enter a terminal command that will launch it, or browse through the directories.

Method 4

Create a symlink

Note: To successfully create a symlink you have to provide the full path, otherwise you could get a broken link. Generally a symlink syntax is ln -s SOURCE DESTINATION.

You do not need to specify a filename in the DESTINATION, just where you need to place it

Solution 2

Or, even easier, just hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift and drag and drop your file/executable.

Unless they changed that from 17.3 to 18.x, but doubt it.

Solution 3

from Linuxmint forum Creating shortcuts

In the file manager (Nemo) open the View menu > Extra Pane. Open the Desktop folder in one pane, and the source folder in the other pane. Click on the folder or file you want to symlink. Hold down SHIFT-CTRL and drag the folder to the other pane. A symlink will be magically created.

Solution 4

All that is super fancy, a simple text file, go to properties, permissions, tick allow «executing file as program».

From now, simply by double clicking this file, the tasks will be performed. (bash!)

For example, this will launch Firefox, if installed.

#!/bin/bash
firefox

How cool is that?

Solution 5

On Linux Mint 19, Linux Mint 20.

Open File Manager, navigate to the location (where file is located).

Hold Ctrl+Shift.

Drag and Drop to your Desktop.

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Comments

[I say Reinstate Monica]

Welcome to Super User. If you have a new question, please post a new question, referencing this one as necessary. I have edited your answer to remove the "question" portion. Only answers are allowed in the answer box. Also, please cite a source for your answer if it is someone else's work.

[MrGrimm]

you should of moved it then and pm'ed me as to why. NOT edited to remove whe issue i came here about.

[I say Reinstate Monica]

No offense intended. I cannot post a question on your behalf. You may roll back my edit if you wish but then you'll need to fix it yourself as the answer can't remain in it's original form.

[Andrew]

According to here: faqforge.com/linux/create-shortcuts-in-linux-symbolic-links you only need Ctrl+Shift, which worked for me on 19.1

[Shivam]

Upvoted! It is still there in Linux mint 19.