Create a desktop shortcut to Atlas

If you use Atlas a lot throughout your day you may wish to add a direct shortcut to your desktop. There are some simple ways to do this described below:

• Install Atlas as an app from Microsoft Edge
• Create a shortcut from Google Chrome
• Create a shortcut (manual configuration)

If you're using one of the methods with the favicon, you may wish to change it from the default Atlas "A" logo. See how to do that here: How to change the Atlas browser icon (favicon)

Install Atlas as an app from Microsoft Edge

Using the Edge browser you can "install" Atlas as a desktop app which will appear using the current Atlas favicon. This is not the same as installing other software - it just adds a desktop shortcut that when clicked opens Atlas in its own browser window that remains separate from any other browser windows you may have open. When you click on external links from Atlas, they will open as tabs in your normal browser session, not within the Atlas "app".

1. To get started, go to your Atlas homepage in Edge, then click the ellipsis (...) in the top right.
2. Hover over Apps and click Install this site as an app:
   
3. Choose the name to show for the app then click Install:
   
4. Next you need to choose where the app should appear on your device and whether to auto-start it when you log in to your device. Once you're happy click Allow:
   
5. You'll now see the shortcut in all the places you chose above using the same favicon as Atlas:
   Desktop:        Pin to start:

You'll now be able to use these shortcuts to get directly to Atlas.

Create a shortcut from Google Chrome

This is very similar to the Edge App approach but using Chrome instead.

1. To get started, go to your Atlas homepage in Chrome, then click the ellipsis (...) in the top right.
2. Hover over More tools and click Create shortcut:
   
3. Choose the name and whether to open as a separate window, then click Create:
   
4. You'll now see the shortcut on your desktop using the same favicon as Atlas.

Create a shortcut (manual configuration)

If you're not using Edge or you just want to have Atlas opening in your main browser window rather than being separated, you can just create a standard desktop shortcut. Please note that using this method the icon will just be your browser logo, not your Atlas favicon.

1. First, navigate to Atlas in your browser and copy the URL from the address bar:
   
2. Now go to your desktop and right click on it. Choose New then Shortcut:
   
3. Paste the URL into the box then click Next:
   
4. Finally type the name for the shortcut and click Finish:
   
5. You'll now see the shortcut on your desktop using the icon of your default browser: