Gmail New Message Shortcut

Since we all use a multi-desktop app to keep our workspace organised your Gmail window isn't always there when you need to write a new email...

.. but a little playing with Google Chrome's "Application Shortcuts" means you can have that "New Message" button on your desktop to quickly compose a new message.

You'll need Google Chrome to do this.  You don't need to set it as your default browser so don't worry, nothing else will change... but making Application Shortcuts like this is a Chrome feature so you'll need to install it and login your Gmail this once through Chrome.  If you've not done so already; download Google Chrome here.

Setting up your first shortcut - to Gmail...

• Vist Gmail and log in..
• Click the icon in Chrome and choose "Create Application Shortcut" and add the shortcut where you'd like it.  ( Quick Launch toolbar in this case )

Making a new shortcut for "New message"...

• Find the Quick Launch toolbar and right-click ( don't right click on an application icon, find a little space so you're clicking on the actual toolbar itself ).  Choose "Open Folder  "
• Now duplicate (copy & paste) the Gmail shortcut
• Rename it to.. "New Message" or something similar.

Getting hold of the web-address for your new shortcut...

• Now go back to Gmail and Shift+Click the "Compose Message" link to get a new message in a new window.
• We want the "Web Address" of this window... so click on the icon (probably a Chrome or Gmail icon) that's right up in the top left of the window to get the window menu.
• Choose "Copy URL"... which will copy this URL/Address into your clipboard.
• Now go back to your "New message" short cut, right click and choose "Properties"
• Make sure you're on the "Shortcut" tab.
• Change the web-address in shortcut... so find where it says "--app=https://...etc" and select everything beyond the "=" and paste (Ctrl+V) our new web-address in here.
• Done!  Close this dialogue and test your new shortcut.  You should have a new window with a new message in it.

Setting up a pretty icon...

• Click "Change Icon"
• Change the location at the top ( "Look for icons in this file" ) to "filbble" and click OK.
• Windows will complain that it can't find and icons.  That's fine; it'll now present you with a default set of icons to choose from.  Choose one you like and click OK.
• Now OK the Properties dialog.