Creating a Netflix Shortcut on Your Windows 11 Desktop
Adding a Netflix shortcut to your desktop can save you time when you fancy a binge. Instead of searching through your browser or digging through bookmarks, a quick double-click gets you straight to your favourite shows. Perfect for those moments when you want instant access without fussing with menus.
How to Set Up That Netflix Shortcut
Creating the shortcut isn’t complicated, but there are a few tricks to get it just right. Here’s what you need to do:
Open Your Web Browser
Launch whichever browser you prefer—Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another. Type “Netflix.com” into the address bar and hit Enter. Should be straightforward, right?
Resize Your Browser Window
It might seem odd, but to drag and drop the link onto your desktop like a pro, resize your browser window so you can see your desktop at the same time. Click the “Restore Down” button (the one with the two overlapping squares) to make the window smaller. It’s not essential, but it makes the next steps much easier.
Select the URL
Click in the address bar to highlight the Netflix link. Or, if you prefer using the keyboard, press Ctrl + L to do the same. Make sure the entire URL is highlighted — that’s what you’ll be turning into your shortcut.
Create the Shortcut
With the URL highlighted, drag it onto your desktop. Release the mouse button, and voilà — a shiny new Netflix shortcut appears. If dragging doesn’t work how you’d like, right-click the address bar, select Copy, then go to your desktop, right-click, choose New → Shortcut, and paste the URL there.
Rename Your Shortcut
Right-click your new shortcut and select Rename. Call it “Netflix” or something easy to recognise. It’s handy, especially if your desktop gets a bit cluttered — which, let’s be honest, most of us’ desks do.
Feeling old-school? You can also create the shortcut manually using the New Shortcut option on your desktop.
Once set up, you’re all good to go! Clicking this shortcut will take you straight to Netflix without any detours.
Extra Tips for Netflixing Like a Pro
While setting up the shortcut is straightforward, here are some handy tips to really optimise your streaming experience. For privacy reasons, consider opening Netflix in Incognito or Private Mode before creating your shortcut. That way, your viewing history stays private if someone else uses your PC.
Browser tips:
– For Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + N to open an Incognito Window before creating the shortcut.
– In Edge, click the three dots and select New InPrivate window.
If you want quicker access, right-click the shortcut and choose Pin to taskbar. Dead easy.
Want to personalise the icon? Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and change the icon under the Web Document tab — it’s a small touch that can brighten up your desktop.
To keep things tidy, consider organising your streaming shortcuts in a dedicated folder. And don’t forget to ensure you’re logged into your Netflix account before creating the shortcut, so it opens directly to your profile — no extra sign-in hassle.
Common Questions About Shortcuts
Many wonder if shortcuts actually install anything. They don’t! It’s simply a link to the website, so no extra space is used. You can use this method for any website you frequent — just drag the URL from the address bar to your desktop.
If you change your mind or need to delete it, just right-click the shortcut and select Delete. Easy.
Just a quick heads-up: this shortcut requires an internet connection. If offline viewing is what you’re after, that’s a different ballgame altogether.
And just to be clear — Netflix offline viewing isn’t possible without the app. The shortcut simply opens the website.
To recap: open your browser, resize if needed, highlight the Netflix URL, drag it to your desktop, and give it a name. That’s all there is to it.
Creating a Netflix shortcut on Windows 11 is a handy way to reach your favourite shows faster, saving you those few extra clicks each time. A bit of customisation — like changing icons or organising your shortcuts — can make your streaming setup even better, making binge-watching a breeze.
Spend a few minutes setting it up now, and it’ll save you hassle later. Happy streaming!