Create a shortcut.

[GTP]

Of all the ways to create a link to a website and put it on a clients desktop, what is the easiest method for doing it?
I often get asked "how do i create a shortcut to a website" via phone call but trying to explain over the phone can be a nightmare.

Of all the ways what is the simplest to explain?

Simple question but..you know..

TIA

 

[Moltuae]

I usually just find a guide online and send them a link (on the rare occasion I can't just 'remote-in' and show them). It can take far too long to explain if you can't see what's on their screen, especially if they're not very computer literate.

And I'd recommend using the browser's built-in 'bookmarks bar' (or whatever it's called in their preferred browser) instead of the desktop. Desktop icons get cluttered and lost. Additionally, the site's icon (favicon) will display in the browser bar, whereas websites shortcuts on the desktop will usually all just show a browser icon. A desktop shortcut also means they have to go back to the desktop even if they've already got the browser open.

Link example for turning on the browser bar in Chrome:
https://www.howtogeek.com/415733/how-to-show-or-hide-the-google-chrome-bookmarks-bar/
(just tell them to drag and drop the site's padlock to here).

 

[Archon Prime]

click and drag the padlock icon (in chrome) next to the address and drag to the desktop. done.

 

[britechguy]

The simplest explanation is "drag and drop" if the person is sighted, but I agree with @Moltuae as far as pointing them to a guide. And I typically do that by telling them to use the search engine of their choosing with the search terms [{Browser name} create webpage desktop shortcut].

That kills two birds with one stone: teaching the client to search for things as well as giving them their choice among the list of tutorials. My favorite may not be their favorite.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

If en masse...I've done it in group policy to deploy standardized website shortcuts to everyones desktop.

Else, manually..I just make a favorite/bookmark in a browser..and then drag outta there.

 

[Sky-Knight]

When you aim a browser at a website, the icon to the left of the URL becomes an action point. Most of the time that icon takes the form of a lock because of SSL. Click and drag that lock to the desktop or wherever, instant shortcut.

Though Stonecat is correct if you're wanting to do this enterprise wide GPO Preferences are the way to go.

 

[Markverhyden]

My preference is to create a bookmark and then drag it to the desktop. It'll leave the bookmark in the browser in case the customer "looses" the desktop shotcut.

 

[GTP]

Click and drag that lock to the desktop or wherever, instant shortcut.

click and drag the padlock icon (in chrome) next to the address and drag to the desktop. done.

Look just to left of the highlighted address and find the padlock icon.

Thanks all, I needed a "get me off the phone ASAP" solution.
This is probably the best solution and I've used it previously, although 99% of the time the browser is maximised so trying to explain how to resize the window so they can see the desktop is a pain.

Which leads to bookmark > drag 'n drop. But if the bookmarks bar isn't on.....

I deal with people that give you an extended pause when you ask them to "open your browser" because they have no idea what a browser even is.

I've learned to be one step ahead and ask them to "open Google" because they associate Google with "browsing."
Even a simple task like saving a page/site as a bookmark can be as frustrating as hell. The whole left click/right click thing sends them into a spiral too.

I might also suggest as above in sending them to a guide but doing so may open up a can of worms.....

Thanks again.