OL8 Gnome desktop shortcuts?

Fuinha_Azul

Hi there!

I need to create simple desktop shortcuts for some applications on OL8 using the default desktop interface (gnome). I tried everything (gnome tweak, .desktop file on diferent folders, ...) but I was unable to create it.

Any hints?

Thanks!

Petr Hadraba

Hello,

First of all, I'm not an expert, but anyway. Icons on Desktop are disabled by default. This needs to be enabled in Tweaks: Extensions -> Desktop icons. If the extension is not available, it can be installed from Software (additional Gnome extensions are in EPEL or AppStream repos, if I remember correctly).

Next, you need to have (or create) a .desktop file which launches the desired application. If you're about to create your own, put it in ~/.local/share/applications/ directory. The folder is monitored by Gnome and any change is immediately visible in Activities -> Show Applications.

To create a clickable desktop icon just make a symlink of the .desktop file in ~/Desktop/ directory. It will appear immediately as text-file-like icon. Right click on it and select Allow Launching. From now on double-clicking the icon launches the application.

Regarding the .desktop file. The absolute minimum I found is:

[Desktop Entry]

Type=Application

Name=<Display Mame>

Icon=</path/to/png/or/svg>

Exec=</path/to/app/bin/executable>

Terminal=false

This seems to be sufficient.

As you can see it is non-invasive setup (apart of the Gnome Extension).

Give it a try and let as know if it works.