How to Create a URL Shortcut on a Windows Desktop that Opens in Chrome When Chrome is Not Your Default Browser

How to Create a Desktop Icon that Opens in Chrome

This option is for users who would like to keep Internet Explorer as their default browser, but still need to open a specific URL in the a Chrome browser.

1. Download and Install Google Chrome here. If you need installation instructions, you can find them on the Google website here.
2. Right Click on the Chrome desktop icon and click properties: 
   
3. Upon opening, the “Target” box should already be highlighted in blue. If it’s highlighted, simply :
1. hover over the highlighted section with your mouse
2. right click
3. select “Copy”
   
   
   
4. If it isn't highlighted, you will need to highlight everything in the “Target” box and then copy.
1. The target should look like something similar to this (but yours could be slightly different): "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"
5. Go back to your desktop:
1. Right click in an open space on your desktop
2. Click "new”
3. Click “Shortcut” 
   
6. On the “Create Shortcut” screen:
1. Right click and paste your target into the location box 
2. After the quotation mark, press the spacebar key
3. After the space, key in the URL
   
7. Click “Next”
8. Name your new shortcut:  
   
9. Click “Finish”

Your done! Click the new URL desktop shortcut to take you directly to the URL in Chrome!