Windows 10: Need Help With Creating Icons for Desktop Shortcuts

In trying to create desktop shortcuts to websites that have recognizable icons, instead of Microsoft's generic, look-alike ones, I tried to follow this excellent, step-by-step YouTube video which was generously submitted by Edwin, however I got stuck at one point, and don't know how to correct it.

When I tried to make the shortcut and got to the point where I put in the location of the item, it gave me the message, "The file C:\%windows%\explorer.exe.microsoftedge;Google Translate cannot be found."

Here's what I did; maybe someone could help me, by finding the mistake in my process:

As suggested in the video, I went to the 'icon finder' website and located an icon for the 'Google Translate' website that I liked, clicked on "More," then saved it to my desktop as a 'Windows .icon' file. It showed up as expected, and when I checked it by right- clicking on it, then going to "Properties," it showed it as being a '.icon' object, so everything so far looked good.

Next, after going to File Explorer -> This PC -> Windows (C): -> Windows, I made a folder called "Icons."

Then I cut & pasted the icon from my desktop into the icon folder which I just made.

Finally, I right-clicked on my desktop, chose "New," "Shortcut"....and there's where my problem arose, because, as stated, I got the message, "The file C:\%windows%\explorer.exe.microsoftedge;Google Translate cannot be found." I must've given the computer an improper pathway to the shortcut. (Note: The blue-colored 'Google Translate' which I appended onto the '%windows%\explorer.exe.microsoftedge;" in this last sentence was actually "Google Translate" but it wouldn't let me paste that, turning it into 'Google Translate,' instead. I don't know how to override that)

I am not real computer-savvy, so my mistake is probably--hopefully--obvious. I tried to follow the YouTube instructions to the letter, after having written them down in a step-by-step fashion, but obviously I screwed up somewhere. Any help which someone might be able to give me would be greatly appreciated.

:)

 

Desktop Shortcut Icons

Hi Mik-Dav,

The desktop shortcut created for a specific website should bear the website's actual logo. With what you've experienced, there could be something wrong with how the shortcut was created.

If you've created the shortcut by selecting Create shortcut, then we suggest that you try the other way, that is by dragging the website icon that appears in the address bar to your desktop. Follow these steps:

• Using Internet Explorer, access a website.
• Once the website opens, you will see its icon in the address bar.
• Click and drag the icon on your desktop.

The website shortcut bearing its actual logo should now be saved on your desktop.

Let us know if you need further help.

Regards.

 

Desktop Shortcut Icons

I tried using Edge that comes with the computer and I can see the logo you are talking about. When I try to drag it to the desktop you can see that I have it but as soon as I drop it the window opens rather than putting the shortcut icon on the desktop.

 

Hi, the path isn't validly formed. What is it that you wish the shortcut to do? Open your default browser at Google translate? Or something more specific?

Here's a shortcut (extract it from the zip file) that does that. You can of course change the icon.
Google translate.zip