How to create a desktop shortcut in Unity?

Question

Is there an easy way to create a desktop shortcut for an application in Unity? The ability to right click or drag and drop icons to the desktop in Unity does not seem to be there.

Answer 1

For Unity

You can search for the application you like to create a desktop shortcut for in the dash and drag it to the desktop. It is best done when your dash is not fully maximized and there are no maximized windows in the background as well.

For Unity-2D

Currently, you can't drag and drop from the dash to create a desktop shortcut. A bug report has been filed regarding this behaviour.

However, you can use gnome-desktop-item-edit to create a new desktop shortcut.

Enter the following command in a terminal:

gnome-desktop-item-edit Desktop --create-new

You will then get the above pop up. Enter the command and other particulars of the application that you are trying to create a desktop shortcut for.

Answer 2

1. Bring up the terminal;

2. type: gksudo nautilus (in the terminal this brings up a file explorer with root privileges)

3. Navigate to: /usr/share/applications

4. Right-click on an existing Icon and and go to 'Properties'

5. You are looking for a Type: desktop configuration file (application/x-desktop)

6. when you find one you like; Right-click that file and copy it.

7. rename and edit it accordingly.
   (common errors occur when; not using lowercase letters, not putting the proper parameters in the command line)

Answer 3

IMO the simplest is to logout, login in the classic mode, create/copy shortcuts and then return to unity (or maybe not:-).

At the same time you can fill up some other launcher, for example Docky, with your "favourite shortcuts" as you do not have the favourites option in the unity launcher.

Answer 4

Navigate to your application in Nautilus.

Right-click, select "Make Link".

Then drag shortcut to your desktop. Works in current 12.04.