Table of Contents

How to Put a Gmail Shortcut on Your Desktop: A User’s Essential Guide

Want quick access to your inbox without wading through a browser? Creating a Gmail shortcut on your desktop is a simple yet powerful way to streamline your workflow. We’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, and then tackle some common questions to ensure you’re a Gmail shortcut pro.

Creating Your Gmail Desktop Shortcut

There are a few methods to create a Gmail desktop shortcut. The simplest method involves using your web browser, specifically Google Chrome, as it’s designed to work seamlessly with Gmail. If you’re using another browser, don’t fret – we’ll cover alternative approaches as well.

The Chrome Method (Recommended):

Open Google Chrome and Navigate to Gmail: First, launch Google Chrome and go to gmail.com. Ensure you’re logged into the Gmail account for which you want the shortcut.
Access Chrome’s Menu: Look for the three vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner of the Chrome window. Click on these dots to open the Chrome menu.
Navigate to “More Tools”: Within the Chrome menu, hover over “More Tools.” A sub-menu will appear.
Select “Create Shortcut…”: In the “More Tools” sub-menu, click on “Create Shortcut…”. A small dialog box will pop up.
Name Your Shortcut (Optional): In the dialog box, you can rename the shortcut. By default, it will be named “Gmail,” but you can change it to something more descriptive if you wish (e.g., “Work Gmail” or “Personal Gmail”).
Check “Open as window”: This is crucial. Make sure to tick the box that says “Open as window.” This will make the shortcut launch Gmail in its own separate window, rather than just a new tab within your existing Chrome window. This provides a cleaner, more app-like experience.
Click “Create”: Finally, click the “Create” button.

Voila! A Gmail shortcut will now appear on your desktop. Double-clicking it will open Gmail in its own dedicated window.

Alternative Methods (For Other Browsers and Operating Systems):

If you’re not using Chrome or need a different approach, here are a couple of other options:

Dragging the URL (Windows): Open Gmail in your browser. Click and drag the URL (the web address) from the address bar directly onto your desktop. This will create a generic website shortcut. You can then right-click on the shortcut, select “Properties,” and change the icon to the Gmail icon for a more polished look. You can find Gmail icons online with a simple search.
Creating a Shortcut Manually (Windows): Right-click on an empty area of your desktop. Select “New” and then “Shortcut.” In the “Type the location of the item” field, enter “https://mail.google.com”. Click “Next,” give your shortcut a name (e.g., “Gmail”), and click “Finish.” Again, you can change the icon via the shortcut’s properties.
Using Automator (Mac): On a Mac, you can use Automator to create an application that opens Gmail in your default browser. Open Automator (found in your Applications folder). Choose “Application” as the type of document. Drag the “Get Specified URLs” action to the workflow area. Enter “https://mail.google.com” as the URL. Drag the “Open URLs” action to the workflow area. Save the application to your desktop with a name like “Gmail”. Double-clicking this application will then open Gmail in your default browser.

Why Use a Desktop Shortcut for Gmail?

Creating a desktop shortcut to Gmail offers numerous advantages that enhance your productivity and user experience:

Instant Access: A shortcut provides immediate access to your inbox without having to open your browser first.
Dedicated Window: When configured to open in its own window (as recommended), Gmail functions more like a standalone application, minimizing distractions from other browser tabs.
Improved Workflow: By separating Gmail from your general browsing activities, you can focus on email management more effectively.
Quick Notifications: Some systems can display Gmail notifications more prominently when it’s running in its own window.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about creating and using Gmail desktop shortcuts:

What if the “Create Shortcut…” option isn’t available in Chrome?

Make sure you’re on the actual gmail.com website and not just a page with a Google search result for Gmail. Also, ensure that Chrome is up to date. Outdated browsers may have limited functionality. Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, then restarting Chrome.

Can I create multiple Gmail shortcuts for different accounts?

Yes! Simply repeat the process for each Gmail account you want a shortcut for. Remember to give each shortcut a unique name to avoid confusion (e.g., “Work Gmail,” “Personal Gmail”).

How do I change the icon of my Gmail shortcut?

Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties” (Windows) or “Get Info” (Mac). In the Properties/Get Info window, you should see an icon. Click on the “Change Icon…” button (Windows) or drag a new icon image onto the existing icon (Mac). You’ll need to find an appropriate .ico (Windows) or .icns (Mac) file containing the Gmail icon.

The shortcut opens Gmail in a new tab instead of a new window. How do I fix this?

This usually happens if you didn’t select the “Open as window” option when creating the shortcut in Chrome. Delete the existing shortcut and recreate it, ensuring you check the “Open as window” box before clicking “Create.”

My desktop shortcut suddenly stopped working. What should I do?

First, make sure you have an active internet connection. Then, verify that the URL in the shortcut’s properties is still correct (“https://mail.google.com”). If you’re still having issues, try deleting and recreating the shortcut. Sometimes browser updates or system changes can corrupt shortcuts.

Can I pin the Gmail shortcut to my taskbar or dock?

Absolutely! Once you’ve created the desktop shortcut, you can easily pin it to your taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac). Simply right-click on the shortcut and select “Pin to taskbar” (Windows) or drag the shortcut to your dock (Mac).

Is there a difference between a desktop shortcut and a bookmark?

Yes. A bookmark simply saves the Gmail URL within your browser. A desktop shortcut, especially when set to “Open as window,” provides a more app-like experience, launching Gmail in its own dedicated window outside of your regular browser session.

Will this shortcut work if I’m not connected to the internet?

No. A Gmail desktop shortcut is essentially a link to the Gmail website. You need an active internet connection to access Gmail. However, if you’ve enabled offline access in Gmail settings, you can view and compose emails even without an internet connection, which will sync automatically when you connect online.

How do I remove the Gmail shortcut from my desktop?

Simply right-click on the shortcut and select “Delete.” This will remove the shortcut from your desktop. It will not delete your Gmail account or any of your emails.

Can I create a Gmail shortcut on my smartphone or tablet?

The process is slightly different on mobile devices. On Android, you can often add a Gmail widget to your home screen for quick access. On iOS, you can add Gmail to your dock. Check your device’s user manual for specific instructions.

Why should I use the “Open as Window” option?

Using the “Open as Window” option transforms Gmail from being another browser tab to a dedicated application-like window. This prevents distractions from other open tabs and keeps your email separate from your other browsing activities. It provides a cleaner and more focused email experience.

Is creating a desktop shortcut the same as installing a Gmail app?

No. Creating a desktop shortcut is a simple linking method to the Gmail website. Installing a Gmail app typically refers to a full application, such as those found on mobile devices or through Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) on desktop. PWAs, while using web technologies, often offer enhanced features like offline access and push notifications compared to a simple shortcut. Chrome’s “Create Shortcut…” with “Open as Window” enabled essentially creates a PWA.