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Adding the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop can be a convenient way to access your email quickly and efficiently. Instead of going through your web browser to open Gmail, you can simply click on the shortcut on your desktop and go directly to your inbox. In this blog post, we will explore several methods to add the Gmail shortcut to your desktop in Windows 10, along with their pros and cons.
Why You Need to Add Gmail Shortcut to Desktop Windows 10
There are several reasons why adding the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop can be beneficial. Here are a few:
- Quick access: Having the Gmail shortcut on your desktop provides a convenient and quick way to access your email without having to open your web browser and manually navigate to Gmail.
- Efficient workflow: With the Gmail shortcut readily available on your desktop, you can streamline your workflow and save time, especially if you rely heavily on email communication.
- Customization: Adding the Gmail shortcut to your desktop allows you to personalize your desktop and make it easier to access the applications and services you use frequently.
Video Tutorial:
Part 1. Adding Gmail Shortcut to Desktop Using Chrome
Method: If you use Google Chrome as your preferred web browser, you can easily add the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop using the following steps:
1. Open Google Chrome on your Windows 10 computer.
2. Go to the Gmail website by typing "mail.google.com" into the address bar and pressing Enter.
3. Once you are on the Gmail website, click on the three dots menu button in the top-right corner of the Chrome window.
4. From the drop-down menu, hover over the "More tools" option and then click on "Create shortcut."
5. In the pop-up window, give the shortcut a name, such as "Gmail," and make sure the "Open as window" checkbox is checked.
6. Click on the "Create" button to create the Gmail shortcut on your desktop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Quick and easy method to add Gmail shortcut to desktop using Google Chrome. | 1. Requires Google Chrome to be installed on your computer. |
| 2. Allows you to open Gmail in a separate window, similar to a dedicated desktop application. | 2. Limited customization options compared to other methods. |
| 3. Works well for users who prefer to use Google Chrome as their default web browser. | 3. May not work if you are not signed in to your Google account in Google Chrome. |
Part 2. Adding Gmail Shortcut to Desktop Using Mozilla Firefox
Method: If you use Mozilla Firefox as your preferred web browser, you can add the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop using the following steps:
1. Open Mozilla Firefox on your Windows 10 computer.
2. Go to the Gmail website by typing "mail.google.com" into the address bar and pressing Enter.
3. Once you are on the Gmail website, click on the three-bar menu button in the top-right corner of the Firefox window.
4. From the drop-down menu, click on "Customize" to enter the customization mode.
5. In the customization mode, find the Gmail tab from the available icons or click and drag the Gmail favicon from the address bar to the toolbar.
6. Exit the customization mode by clicking on the "Done" button.
7. Right-click on the new Gmail icon in the toolbar and select "Bookmark This Tab" from the context menu.
8. In the bookmark dialog, choose the location where you want to save the bookmark, such as the Bookmarks Toolbar folder.
9. Click on the "Done" button to save the bookmark.
10. Close the Firefox browser.
11. Locate the newly created bookmark in the location you chose in step 8.
12. Right-click on the bookmark and select "Cut" from the context menu.
13. Go to your Windows 10 desktop and right-click on an empty space.
14. Select "Paste shortcut" from the context menu to create the Gmail shortcut on your desktop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows you to add the Gmail shortcut to desktop using Mozilla Firefox. | 1. Requires Mozilla Firefox to be installed on your computer. |
| 2. Provides customization options by adding the Gmail icon to the Firefox toolbar. | 2. Requires manual steps to create the shortcut on the desktop. |
| 3. Works well for users who prefer to use Mozilla Firefox as their default web browser. | 3. May not work if you are not signed in to your Google account in Mozilla Firefox. |
Part 3. Adding Gmail Shortcut to Desktop Using Microsoft Edge
Method: If you use Microsoft Edge as your preferred web browser, you can add the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop using the following steps:
1. Open Microsoft Edge on your Windows 10 computer.
2. Go to the Gmail website by typing "mail.google.com" into the address bar and pressing Enter.
3. Once you are on the Gmail website, click on the three dots menu button in the top-right corner of the Edge window.
4. From the drop-down menu, hover over the "More tools" option and then click on "Pin to taskbar."
5. A pop-up dialog will appear asking if you want to pin Gmail to the taskbar. Click on the "Pin" button.
6. Close the Microsoft Edge browser.
7. Go to your Windows 10 desktop and locate the newly added Gmail icon in the taskbar.
8. Right-click on the Gmail icon and select "Show in folder" from the context menu.
9. The File Explorer window will open, displaying the shortcut file for Gmail.
10. Right-click on the Gmail shortcut file and select "Cut" from the context menu.
11. Go back to your Windows 10 desktop and right-click on an empty space.
12. Select "Paste shortcut" from the context menu to create the Gmail shortcut on your desktop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows you to add the Gmail shortcut to desktop using Microsoft Edge. | 1. Requires Microsoft Edge to be installed on your computer. |
| 2. Provides a quick way to access Gmail by pinning it to the taskbar. | 2. Requires manual steps to create the shortcut on the desktop. |
| 3. Works well for users who prefer to use Microsoft Edge as their default web browser. | 3. May not work if you are not signed in to your Google account in Microsoft Edge. |
Part 4. Adding Gmail Shortcut to Desktop Using Internet Explorer
Method: If you use Internet Explorer as your preferred web browser, you can add the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop using the following steps:
1. Open Internet Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.
2. Go to the Gmail website by typing "mail.google.com" into the address bar and pressing Enter.
3. Once you are on the Gmail website, click on the gear menu button in the top-right corner of the Internet Explorer window.
4. From the drop-down menu, click on "Add site to Apps."
5. The Add site to Apps dialog will appear. Enter a name for the Gmail shortcut, such as "Gmail," and click on the "Add" button.
6. Close the Internet Explorer browser.
7. Press the "Windows" key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
8. Scroll through the list of installed applications until you find the newly created Gmail shortcut.
9. Click and drag the Gmail shortcut from the Start menu to your Windows 10 desktop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows you to add the Gmail shortcut to desktop using Internet Explorer. | 1. Requires Internet Explorer to be installed on your computer. |
| 2. Provides a straightforward method to add the Gmail shortcut to the desktop. | 2. Requires manual steps to create the shortcut on the desktop. |
| 3. Works well for users who prefer to use Internet Explorer as their default web browser. | 3. May not work if you are not signed in to your Google account in Internet Explorer. |
What to Do If You Can’t Add Gmail Shortcut to Desktop Windows 10
If you encounter any issues or are unable to add the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop using the methods mentioned above, don’t worry. Here are three alternative solutions you can try:
1. Pin Gmail to the Start menu: Instead of adding the Gmail shortcut to the desktop, you can pin it to the Start menu by right-clicking on the Gmail icon in your preferred web browser and selecting "Pin to Start" from the context menu.
2. Create a bookmark on the desktop: Open your preferred web browser, go to the Gmail website, and bookmark it. Then, locate the bookmark in your browser’s bookmarks menu or toolbar, right-click on it, and select "Copy" from the context menu. Finally, go to your Windows 10 desktop, right-click on an empty space, and select "Paste shortcut" from the context menu to create the Gmail shortcut.
3. Use a dedicated email client: Consider using a dedicated email client application, such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, to manage your Gmail account. These applications offer advanced features and a more integrated experience compared to accessing Gmail through a web browser.
Bonus Tips
Here are three bonus tips to enhance your Gmail experience on your Windows 10 desktop:
1. Enable desktop notifications: In Gmail, go to Settings > See all settings > General. Scroll down to the Desktop Notifications section and select "New mail notifications on" to receive desktop notifications whenever you receive a new email.
2. Enable keyboard shortcuts: In Gmail, go to Settings > See all settings > Advanced. Scroll down to the Keyboard shortcuts section and select "Keyboard shortcuts on" to enable keyboard shortcuts for quicker navigation and email management.
3. Use Gmail offline: Install the Gmail Offline Chrome extension to access and read your Gmail emails even when you are not connected to the internet. This extension allows you to compose, reply to, and search for emails offline, with changes automatically synchronized when you go online.
The Bottom Line
Adding the Gmail shortcut to your Windows 10 desktop can significantly improve your productivity and make it easier to access your email. By using the methods mentioned in this blog post, you can choose the one that suits your preferences and browser choice. If you encounter any issues, there are alternative solutions available, and you can also explore bonus tips to enhance your Gmail experience on your Windows 10 desktop.
5 FAQs about Adding Gmail Shortcut to Desktop Windows 10
Q1: Can I add the Gmail shortcut to my desktop if I use a different web browser?
A: Yes, you can add the Gmail shortcut to your desktop using methods specific to your web browser, such as Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Internet Explorer. The steps may vary slightly, but the general process remains the same.
Q2: What do I do if I am not signed in to my Google account in my web browser?
A: Before adding the Gmail shortcut to your desktop, make sure you are signed in to your Google account in your web browser. If you are not signed in, open the web browser, go to the Gmail website, and sign in using your Google account credentials.
Q3: Can I customize the appearance of the Gmail shortcut on my desktop?
A: The appearance of the Gmail shortcut on your desktop depends on the method you use to create it. While some methods provide customization options, such as adding icons to the toolbar or pinning to the taskbar, others may have limited customization options.
Q4: Can I use Gmail offline after adding the shortcut to my desktop?
A: Yes, you can use Gmail offline by installing the Gmail Offline Chrome extension. This extension allows you to access and read your Gmail emails even when you are not connected to the internet. Changes you make while offline will be synchronized when you go online.
Q5: Are there any alternative solutions if I can’t add the Gmail shortcut to my desktop?
A: If you encounter any issues or are unable to add the Gmail shortcut to your desktop using the methods mentioned in this blog post, you can try alternative solutions. These include pinning Gmail to the Start menu, creating a bookmark on the desktop, or using a dedicated email client application.