How to Create a Desktop Shortcut to Open a New Google Doc

This quick tutorial will show you how to create a Desktop shortcut that when double-clicked will open your web browser and take you directly to a “New Document” in Google Docs.

  1. To create a Google Docs shortcut, right click on desktop and select New and then Shortcut.
  2. windows right-click context menu with an arrow pointing to create a new shortcut
    click to enlarge

  3. Now, paste one of the following URLs (see list below) in the Type the location of the item: box. Then click Next to continue.
  4. To launch Google Docs and open a new Document, enter: https://docs.google.com/?action=newdoc

    To launch Google Docs and open a new Spreadsheet, enter: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?new

    To launch Google Docs and open a new Presentation, enter: https://docs.google.com/?action=new_presentation

    To launch Google Docs and open a new Drawing, enter: https://docs.google.com/drawings/create?hl=en

    first screen of the create new shortcut wizard
    click to enlarge

  5. Give the shortcut a name and click Finish.
  6. second screen of the create new shortcut wizard
    click to enlarge

  7. Now your newly created shortcut will appear on your Desktop.

    a shortcut to a create new google doc on a Windows desktop

  8. You can even assign a shortcut key to the shortcut. To do that, go to its properties by right-clicking it and selecting Properties
  9. right-click context menu for a Windows desktop shortcut

  10. Open the Web Document tab. There you will be able to see a shortcut field where you can type any shortcut you want to use.

    Web Document tab of Create New Shortcut Properties

  11. We’re not quite done yet as we still have change the icon to the shortcut (a little personalization is always nice!).
  12. To change the icon of the shortcut, right-click the icon and select Properties again.
  13. Go to the Web Document tab and click the Change Icon… button.
  14. an arrow pointing to the Change Icon button in the Properties window of the Create New Shortcut window

  15. Select the icon and click OK.
  16. selecting an icon to use in Windows

  17. That’s it – you’re done! You can create multiple shortcuts this way so you can quickly open a new Doc file, Spreadsheet file etc.

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