This tutorial will show you how to create desktop shortcuts on Kubuntu. Kubuntu is a computer operating system based on Ubuntu with KDE Plasma Desktop technology. Here we use Kubuntu 24.04 LTS "Noble Numbat" which has been released this year. This covers making normal application shortcuts, as well as file, document and even custom command line ones on desktop area for quick access. Finally, we include examples and easy to follow procedures so you can practice it immediately on your computer. Happy computing with Kubuntu and we wish you success!

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Example Shortcuts

To give you an overview of what Kubuntu can do with desktop shortcuts, here's our example of desktop shortcuts which will be explained step by step below. You can exercise by following this example too!

 (1. A group of application desktop shortcuts. 2. A group of pinned applications on the bottom panel. 3. A group of file, folder and document shortcuts.)

Making Desktop Shortcuts

Do the following if you want your favorite applications available on desktop area.

1. Click Kubuntu logo.

2. Start menu ("Launcher") will open.

3. Find an application for example Dolphin.

4. Right-click Dolphin -> Add to Desktop.

5. Shortcut icon of Dolphin created on the desktop.

6. Repeat steps 1-5 for any other application. 

To remove shortcut: right-click Dolphin -> Move to Trash -> go to Trash -> Remove.

This will give you same user experience to Microsoft Windows and Apple MacOS in case you need it as most of people switching from those two will. 

Making Panel Shortcuts

You might want to create shortcuts of frequently used applications on bottom panel for quick access.

1. Click Kubuntu logo.

2. Launcher will open. 

3. Find an application for example Firefox.

4. Right-click Firefox -> Add to Panel (Widget).

5. Shortcut icon of Firefox created on the panel.

6. Repeat step 1-5 if you want to make panel shortcut for any other application.

To remove shortcut: right click Firefox logo -> Edit Mode -> your desktop will enter edit mode -> move pointer to Firefox logo -> Remove -> close edit mode.

Pinning Applications

Pinning is an easier method to create a shortcut on panel and even easier to remove later.

1. Run an application for example LibreOffice Writer. 

2. Writer blue icon will be active on the bottom panel.

3. Right-click that Writer icon -> Pin to Taskbar.

4. Writer pinned to the bottom panel. 

5. Repeat step 1-4 if you want to pin other favorite applications.

To remove shortcut: right-click Writer icon -> Unpin.

Making File or Document Shortcuts

You might want to put some frequently opened PDF or other documents on the desktop for quick access. 

1. Run Dolphin.

2. Navigate to where you store your important files or documents. It can be some MP3, MP4, ODT, ODS, ODP, or any other file format if you want.

3. Shrink Dolphin window so you can see both Dolphin and wallpaper area. 

4. Select your file -> drag and drop it onto desktop -> Link Here. 

5. File shortcut created. 

6. Repeat step 1-5 for if you want to make other file or document shortcuts on desktop.

Making Folder Shortcuts

You might also want to put your favorite folder into desktop area for quick access.

1. Run Dolphin. 

2. Navigate to where you store your favorite folders. 

3. Shrink Dolphin window so you can see both Dolphin and wallpaper area.

4. Select your favorite folder -> drag and drop it onto desktop area -> Link Here. 

5. Folder shortcut created on desktop.

6. Repeat step 1-5 if you want to create desktop shortcuts for more folders. 

Making Custom Desktop Shortcuts

Lastly, you might want to create a special shortcut for some application not listed on the launcher or a certain command line or to do a certain job for easy execution. We give you three examples below and you can expand these example with your creativity yourself.

URL shortcut:

1. Right-click desktop area -> Create new -> Link to Location (URL). 

2. Under Link Name, name it "Visit Kubuntu Desktop".

3. Under URL, type https://kubuntu.org.

4. OK.

5. Shortcut created without a logo. 

6. Right-click the shortcut -> Properties -> click the logo -> select a logo -> OK. Done.  

Disk drive or custom folder shortcut:

1. Do like the above but select instead Link to a File or Directory.

2. Under Name, type "Go to Disk Drive [D:]".

3. Under File or directory to link to, type or select a location from the button. 

4. Shortcut created with a folder logo. Done.

It is a good idea to make shortcuts of disk drives such as [D:] and [E:] to help older people or family who had prior experiences with Windows to learn Kubuntu. 

Command lines shortcut:

1. Right-click desktop area -> Create new -> Link to Application.

2. Click the logo -> select a logo for it such as Amarok -> OK.

3. In the name box, name it "Open the Intro Document".

4. In the Program: box under Application tab, type the command line okular intro.pdf.

5. Shortcut created.  Done.

Happy computing with Kubuntu!