[SOLVED] How to create a desktop shortcut to a File, to a Folder - Ubuntu 20.04
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How to create a desktop shortcut to a File, to a Folder - Ubuntu 20.04
All that I can find on searching th etopic are some "Hard ways" about it.
I wonder, is there an easy way to do that? I have some frequently used documents, I know I can place them on the dekstop, but this is not safe in my opinion
right-click an empty space on the desktop => "create new launcher" or some such.
You can also create symblic links. Many filemanagers will do this automatically when you hold an additional key (maybe Control) while dragging a file to the desktop, but I personally would prefer to do it the "hard way":
right-click an empty space on the desktop => "create new launcher" or some such.
You can also create symblic links. Many filemanagers will do this automatically when you hold an additional key (maybe Control) while dragging a file to the desktop, but I personally would prefer to do it the "hard way":
Code:
cd ~/Desktop
ln -s /path/to/some/file-or-folder
I right click on th eDesktop, but the menu that comes up doesn't have such an option.
Can you give me please more instructions the HARD way. As an example
I have a document in the DOCS fulder, the file is called alex.docx
So, please show me the steps to have a shortcut to it
I have a document in the DOCS fulder, the file is called alex.docx
So, please show me the steps to have a shortcut to it
Assuming your Desktop folder is actually called Desktop (it is if your interface is in English), and assuming that the DOCS folder is a subfolder of your $HOME folder, you open a terminal and enter the following:
Assuming your Desktop folder is actually called Desktop (it is if your interface is in English), and assuming that the DOCS folder is a subfolder of your $HOME folder, you open a terminal and enter the following:
Code:
cd "$HOME/Desktop"
ln -s "$HOME/DOCS/alex.docx"
Thanks so much Ondoho, it works fine, but I have some questions:
1) Are the double quotaion marks required? Never before I used them in any command line
2) When I get in Terminal mode, it is in the root - do I have to first cd into the folder, or can I do that from the root?
1) You wanted the hard way No, I'd just use Tab completion. I don't know if your $HOME contains spaces, though. Double quotes are safer. Do some reading.
2) What's "root"? Maybe show us
1) You wanted the hard way No, I'd just use Tab completion. I don't know if your $HOME contains spaces, though. Double quotes are safer. Do some reading.
2) What's "root"? Maybe show us
Code:
pwd
whoami
My $HOME is one word, no spaces - but I see your point
Assuming your Desktop folder is actually called Desktop (it is if your interface is in English), and assuming that the DOCS folder is a subfolder of your $HOME folder, you open a terminal and enter the following:
Code:
cd "$HOME/Desktop"
ln -s "$HOME/DOCS/alex.docx"
Hello again,
I had to re-install Ubuntu 20.04 and it seems I am now missing something... I was able already to create file shortcuts with your help, but my attempts now are failing with the shorct being on the desktop, but with a RED "X" on it and the options on right-click don't let me Launch it.
Please see attached images of the Properties of the link
I had to re-install Ubuntu 20.04 and it seems I am now missing something... I was able already to create file shortcuts with your help, but my attempts now are failing with the shorct being on the desktop, but with a RED "X" on it and the options on right-click don't let me Launch it.
Please see attached images of the Properties of the link
What do you think I am missing?
Thanks again
Sorry to bother you, I figured it out - I was trying to createa shortcut in a folder that was on the desktop... After searching a bit more, I found out that a shortcut can only be created to a file in an absulute folder location
Its none of those. Ubuntu doesnt have such an option, and apparently neither does its default filemanager (at least I coudln't find it, and I just tested in VM, that file manager doesnt even have drop down menus hardly any options at all! If you install thunar or pcmanfm they have "Make Link" and "Create Link" options tho...).
The method in very first reply is the simple way, although to make it even easier just:
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No, I'd just use Tab completion. I don't know if your $HOME contains spaces, though. Double quotes are safer. 
