What is a DESKTOP file?
A .DESKTOP file is a Linux application shortcut file. It contains plain text settings that tell Linux desktop environments how to launch a specific program. The structure follows the Desktop Entry Specification created by freedesktop.org. It stores basic information like the application name, software icon, execution command, and software category.
How to open DESKTOP files?
On a Linux operating system, you double-click the .DESKTOP file to run the program it points to. Because it is a text file, you can also view its contents using a text editor like Gedit or Nano. If you use Windows or macOS, you cannot run the shortcut, but you can read the text settings.
If you want to view the file without a text editor, viewer.online/desktop can analyze .DESKTOP files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available.
Best practices and troubleshooting
If a .DESKTOP file does not run on Linux, it usually lacks execution permissions. You must make the file executable to use it as a shortcut. You can do this by using the command `chmod +x filename.desktop` in the terminal. Always check the `Exec` line in an unknown .DESKTOP file before you run it to ensure the command is safe.
While a .DESKTOP file usually holds Linux shortcut data, it might occasionally have other meanings. If you are uncertain about the file origin, use viewer.online/desktop to identify the actual format of your file.
Software and tools
Linux desktop environments like GNOME and KDE Plasma process .DESKTOP files automatically. File managers like Nautilus use them to display application icons.
If you need to convert the text data into another settings format, recommend file conversion to sensible target formats like .TXT or .INI on convert.guru.
Summary
viewer.online/desktop is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .DESKTOP files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems. It provides a fast way to extract commands and settings from Linux shortcut files on any operating system.