How do I save a link to a webpage as a shortcut in the Windows file manager?

Question

I want to click an icon in Windows Explorer and have it open a specific web page with the default browser. How is this done?

I don't want to download the web page, I just want to access it via a shortcut in the file manager. My google searches haven't turned up anything.

score 39 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 05 '15 at 15:26

39

Right click on the folder.
New Shortcut.
Insert the URL in the dialog, Next.
Put a meaningful name.

Double click the shortcut to test it.

answered Nov 05 '15 at 15:26

jcbermu

17,822

Geoff Kendall · Answer 2 · 2024-12-05T12:34:23.137

20

This is actually much easier than you might think! If you are on the web page you want to save a link for, click and hold on the small icon just to the left of the address in the address bar. Drag it over into an open Windows Explorer window/folder (or over its icon, as you please) and let go. Drag and drop, job done :-)

edited Dec 05 '24 at 12:34

answered May 07 '20 at 17:52

Geoff Kendall

301

score 19 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 11 '19 at 14:23

Personally I found this answer best. Just create a file, myLink.html with the following content:

<html>
   <body>
      <script type="text/javascript">
    window.location.href = "http://stackoverflow.com"; //change this to the URL
                                                       //you want to redirect to
      </script>
   </body>
</html>

score 5 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 02 '19 at 14:39

If you want to create the link programatically, save a file with content shown below, replace with actual URL, and name the file <something>.url to let Windows launch your default browser when the file is opened.

[{000214A0-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
Prop3=19,11
[InternetShortcut]
IDList=
URL=https://superuser.com/questions/996482/how-do-i-save-a-link-to-a-webpage-as-a-shortcut-in-the-windows-file-manager/996484

DontCopyThatFloppy · Answer 5 · 2015-11-16T17:11:17.993

1

In addition to what others have mentioned, you can access your current Favorites in Explorer by navigating to C:\users\%USERNAME%\favorites\ and then copy over any links you may already have bookmarked from there.

EDIT: I should clarify, this is the Internet Explorer Favorites location.

edited Nov 16 '15 at 17:11

answered Nov 05 '15 at 17:22

DontCopyThatFloppy

181

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Feb 09 '17 at 12:10

I was also wondering this same question, and when I found this page, none of these answers was what I was looking for (the first answer was the closest, but still way too tedious), so I decided to search some more. Happy to report I finally found what I believe to be the best option...

It's a Chrome extension called: "Save as Shortcut" (by mythofechelon.co.uk)

HTH!

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Jan 10 '20 at 00:24

The question was about saving a link on a webpage, which i understand to be a clickable link.

"Save as Shortcut" can save the link of the page being displayed, but not a link on the page. One would have to click on the link to have it rendered and then one would be able to save the currently displayed page link.

On Firefox post 57, there is an extension, "lcwmcfpon", that can do that, i.e. save the target of a link as shortcut in the Windows file manager. One uses the windows context menu on the link of interest.

Pre 57, there use to be one called "Deskcut", which could also save the target of a link being displayed on a web page, without having to actually render the page.

So that one does not have to constantly go back to some free desktop area to drag the link to (as chrome assumes to be the only user-friendly option). At this point, i am unaware of an equivalent extension for chrome.

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Nov 05 '15 at 16:25

0

Right click the link then use save link as at your browser and save.

answered Nov 05 '15 at 16:25

Jusup

697

How do I save a link to a webpage as a shortcut in the Windows file manager?

8 Answers8