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How to Make Windows Desktop Shortcut for Specific Browser

Mitch BartlettMarch 16, 2022 Comments (17)
Windows 10 Header

Some web applications just work better in certain browsers. If you have Microsoft Windows set to use Chrome as your default browser, but you want to use a desktop shortcut to open a specific site in Microsoft Edge. Or maybe another website icon that will only work in Firefox. Creating a shortcut to a web document won’t work. However, you can open a URL using a shortcut to a non-default browser using these steps:

  1. Right-click a blank area of the desktop and select “New” > “Shortcut“.
  2. For the location, type the path to the browser you wish to use followed by the URL you wish to open. For example:
    • Chrome: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" https://www.technipages.com
    • Edge : "%windir%\explorer.exe" microsoft-edge:https://www.technipages.com
    • IE: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" https://www.technipages.com
    • Firefox: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" https://www.technipages.com
      Example of a shortcut that points directly to a specific browser and website.
  3. Provide the name for the shortcut. You will probably want to use the name of the website in most cases.
  4. Select “Next“.
  5. Select “Finish“.

Now you have a shortcut that will open the website in a specific web browser, no matter what the default browser is set to in Windows.

I have tested this thoroughly and it works in Windows 11 as well as Windows 10.

Categories: Windows

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  1. Priit Re says:
    June 14, 2023 at 2:25 am

    Magnif:icent! It works as expcted!
    Of course, the quotation marks are important if there are spaces in the command line;
    Of course, the better idea is to use the best-suitable executable for every particular site
    Of course, – the idea gives much more ways to tune up your desktop …
    Thanx! “O” Lot! :)

  2. Mitch Bartlett says:
    May 15, 2023 at 7:21 pm

    Sounds like something is wrong with your quotation marks. Type up the command. Do not copy and paste from this post.

  3. Doug says:
    April 26, 2023 at 2:51 pm

    On 04/26/2023—Tried for opening in Chrome instead of Edge on pc with Windows 11. Does not work. FYI: Chrome is not in Program Files (x86) on my pc…it’s in Program Files. Didn’t work either way. Gives odd error as trying to find C:\Program as though it was a file.

  4. brahim lachgar says:
    March 15, 2023 at 11:58 am

    This is not the problem .. the problem is when you want to make a shortcut for a link and you want it to open in the Google browser, but edge imposes itself strongly in showing the shortcut on my desktop

  5. isa says:
    November 26, 2022 at 10:59 pm

    Mail is back background provided credit all need missing windows Microsoft and other email workbook notebook page provides content missing configuration in my phone,

  6. John says:
    October 4, 2022 at 11:31 am

    (Microsoft) TEAMS using Meeting ID and Passcode in FIREFOX opens without Audio.

    This shortcut to a specific brower solve the issue. Firfox remains the default but TEAMS opens in Edge with audio. Brilliant!

  7. tom says:
    October 1, 2022 at 12:02 am

    can confirm

    what red Gennille said on August 24, 2022 at 5:23 am

    Edge : “c:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft/Edge/Application/msedge.exe” https://www.technipages.com

  8. Fred Gennille says:
    August 24, 2022 at 5:23 am

    I was having the same issue as everyone else where the edge shortcut was opening my documents instead of the browser. I got Edge links working by using

    “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe” https://www.technipages.com

  9. Mike says:
    August 20, 2022 at 10:46 pm

    I’ve checked many websites searching for a solution and your’s actually worked! I was just so skeptical when I first attempted to open the new shortcut and it worked that I almost fell out of my chair! Thank you so much!!!

  10. Daniel B says:
    July 6, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    Thanks! So simple and it works great.

  11. charles peirce says:
    June 13, 2022 at 4:18 am

    Nice!

    These lines seem to work equally well in a batch file.

    A batch file has the advantage when you want to open multiple pages at the same time, particularly if you want them in different browsers. A shortcut has the advantage if you want the browser to be maximised or minimised when it opens, or if you want to restrict who can use the shortcut. A shortcut is fractionally simpler to create.

    I’ve wanted to do this for some time. Thank you for sharing.

  12. Earl says:
    June 3, 2022 at 7:52 am

    I’ve tried this a couple times. One works every time and the other only opens My Documents. I’ve played with it a few times but not found a solution, yet.

  13. Dan says:
    May 26, 2022 at 9:54 am

    Not sure what happened here. It seemed to work the first time, but after that it only opens My Documents folder. I deleted that shortcut and tried to create a new one the same way and it only opens the My Documents folder as well. Any ideas?

  14. Rudy Kham says:
    May 20, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    You probably didn’t think how grand you’d make someone’s life significantly better when you started writing this article… but let me tell you, you have – and it’s super sweet. Chrome is my goto browser but I don’t make it default. My instant “To-Do-List” is on Google Keeps, and now I have a desktop shortcut pointing right at it. Thank you so much.

  15. Nick says:
    April 29, 2022 at 8:43 am

    Very helpful! Thank you!

  16. Bat Stan says:
    April 5, 2022 at 1:37 am

    Unfortunately this is not working at the moment. It automatikaly putt HTTPS: in the begining and do not start IE. At the moment is 05.04.2022

  17. Niharika says:
    April 1, 2022 at 10:19 am

    How to subscribe hotstar
    Please tell me

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My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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Last Updated on March 16, 2022 by Mitch Bartlett