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How to save website icon on desktop shortcut

  • 9 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by MissGeil

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I'm using Windows XP. All of the desktop shortcuts I make have the Firefox icon. Is there any way to create desktop shortcuts that show the specific icon associated with the web page?

I'm using Windows XP. All of the desktop shortcuts I make have the Firefox icon. Is there any way to create desktop shortcuts that show the specific icon associated with the web page?

Chosen solution

There is no easy or automatic way to do this, unfortunately.

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Chosen Solution

There is no easy or automatic way to do this, unfortunately.

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Thanks very much for your response. How disappointing.

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Yeah. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Have you tried dragging and dropping the bookmark to your desktop? In newer versions of Windows, it gives a small icon that matches the website, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't work that way in Windows XP.

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Yes, actually I did. Same result. Guess it's just one of the prices I pay for sticking to older software, but as they say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." XP and the 2003 version of Office Suite does everything I need, and I can understand it - I'm not a picture person, strictly prefer words.

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I feel obligated to warn you that using Windows XP puts your computer at extreme risk. You are vulnerable to many security issues that will never get fixed on your system. This gets dangerous if you are using your computer for anything involving your personal information or personal data.

Here is some more reading about the subject:

Unfortunately, a lot of people dismiss the risks as just over-hyped misinformation created by software companies that just want more money from you, I can assure you that the risks are very real.

The Firefox developers work very hard to ensure that Firefox is secure as possible. To do so, they are constantly finding and fixing vulnerabilities in the software to protect users. Every time a new Firefox version is released, it usually includes fixes for 20-30 security issues. Considering that you are running Firefox 52, which stopped receiving updates in the summer last year, you are probably at risk for about 80-120 known vulnerabilities from Firefox alone. That's not including the known issues with Windows XP and other older software that you may be running.

I would certainly recommend an upgrade to a newer version of Windows or an alternative operating system, in order to ensure that you are secure when you are online.

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There is this pref present on the about:config page, but I do not know if this works on Windows XP.

  • browser.shell.shortcutFavicons

  • Bug 828284 - Force shortcut desktop icons off on Windows XP
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I appreciate your feedback. I am using some protective programs, and my browser gets cleaned regularly (I think that's what you call it), as well as intermittently while I am working. I'll admit that there are a limited number of improvements to windows, however, Microsoft has made their software much too complicated and unusable for me. Their stupid icons make no sense to me whatsoever, and last I recall, you can no longer add text to the toolbars. It is unfortunate that they hold computing hostage.

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cor-el said

There is this pref present on the about:config page, but I do not know if this works on Windows XP.
  • browser.shell.shortcutFavicons

  • Bug 828284 - Force shortcut desktop icons off on Windows XP
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Hmmm, I'm afraid that's a bit beyond my capabilities. But thank you for taking a look.