# Built-in tool to make .desktop files quick and easy!

**URL:** https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/built-in-tool-to-make-desktop-files-quick-and-easy/347
**Category:** Scripts, Tutorials & Tips
**Created:** [January 25, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/built-in-tool-to-make-desktop-files-quick-and-easy/347 "2021-01-25T22:29:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![OlivierWierda](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/user_avatar/forum.maboxlinux.org/olivierwierda/32/353_2.png) [@OlivierWierda](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/OlivierWierda)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/built-in-tool-to-make-desktop-files-quick-and-easy/347/1 "2021-01-25T22:29:53Z")

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Hey all,

While working on adding some extra functionality to my taskbar/launcher I found this awesome (built-in) tool to make the process of making a .desktop file to put in /home/USER/.local/share/applications really easy and fast.

Just run this command :  
`exo-desktop-item-edit --create-new [DIRECTORY]`

Or add this config :

```auto
[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=Create Launcher Icon
Comment=Easily Make .desktop File
Exec=exo-desktop-item-edit --create-new [DIRECTORY]
Icon=preferences-desktop-user
Path=
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=false

```

to /home/USER/.local/share/applications as a .desktop file (can have any name)!

Hope it’s useful!  
Greetings,  
OSW 🕵️‍♂️

///EDIT : To put the Icon in the correct category in the menu’s, you also need to add this line:  
`Categories=Settings;` or any other Category you want 🙂

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### Author: ![bootz](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/user_avatar/forum.maboxlinux.org/bootz/32/694_2.png) [@bootz](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/bootz)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2021, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/built-in-tool-to-make-desktop-files-quick-and-easy/347/2 "2021-01-30T16:08:38Z")

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Thanks for this. Just created the launcher for this and already added two starters. What is missing however (and that’s in the GUI/command, not your explaining) is that with the GUI you cannot set a categories selection (or I am missing something). But very useful this!

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### Author: ![SauronsMouth](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/user_avatar/forum.maboxlinux.org/sauronsmouth/32/4064_2.png) [@SauronsMouth](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/SauronsMouth)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/built-in-tool-to-make-desktop-files-quick-and-easy/347/3 "2025-06-30T03:20:05Z")

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Late to the game, but thank you OP.