If you’re someone who opens the same websites every single day – maybe Gmail, YouTube Studio, Google Analytics, or your favorite tech blog – then creating a shortcut on your Chromebook can save you a lot of time.
ChromeOS includes a built-in feature that lets you turn any website into a shortcut that lives directly on your Launcher or shelf. It works almost like having a dedicated app, and honestly, we wish Google talked about this feature more often because it’s one of the quickest ways to boost your productivity.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simplest ways to create website shortcuts on your Chromebook, including both the standard method through Chrome and an optional app-like window mode. We’ll cover everything in clear steps so you can follow along easily.
Create a Website Shortcut on Chromebook
ChromeOS gives you two main ways to create website shortcuts. The easiest method uses the Chrome browser’s built-in Create shortcut option. On the same screen, you’ll also see an option to open the shortcut in an app-like window. All you need to do is select the Open as window checkbox. Here’s how it works:
1. Open Chrome and navigate to the website you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Then go to Cast, Save and Share, and choose Create Shortcut option.
4. A pop-up will appear asking you to name your shortcut. By default, Chrome uses the website’s title, but you can rename it to something easier to recognize.
5. Before you finalize it, you’ll see a checkbox labeled Open as window. Turning this on launches the website in its own clean, app-style window without any browser tabs or address bar. This makes the shortcut feel more like a dedicated app, perfect for tools you use all day. If you prefer the regular browser look, leave it unchecked.
6. Once you’re ready, click Create.
Chrome will instantly generate the shortcut and place it in your App Launcher. If you enabled the Open as window option, it will behave like a standalone Chrome app.
How to Pin the Shortcut to Your Shelf
Creating the shortcut is just the first step. To make it easier to access, you can pin it to your Chromebook’s shelf. Here’s how:
1. Open the Launcher and find your newly created shortcut.
2. Right-click on the shortcut icon.
3. Select Pin to shelf.
Now the website sits at the bottom of your screen, ready to launch with a single click, just like any installed app.
How to Delete Website Shortcut from Chromebook
Creating website shortcuts on your Chromebook can be incredibly convenient. With a single click, you can jump straight into your favorite site, no need to open the Chrome browser first. These shortcuts even appear in your App Launcher, making them easy to access anytime.
But what if you no longer need a particular shortcut? If you decide you no longer want the shortcut, removing it is simple:
1. Locate the shortcut icon on your shelf or in the App Launcher.
2. Right-click on the shortcut.
3. Select Uninstall from the context menu.
4. Check the option Also delete browsing data if you want to remove any related site data.
5. Click Uninstall again to confirm.
After completing these steps, the website shortcut will be completely removed from your Chromebook.
Website Shortcut on Chromebook
Creating website shortcuts on your Chromebook is one of the easiest ways to improve your daily workflow. Whether you want quick access to your favorite tools or prefer app-style web experiences, ChromeOS makes the process simple and intuitive.
With just a few clicks, you can turn any site into a dedicated shortcut and organize your workspace exactly the way you like.
