OneDrive File Issues

How to Create a Desktop Shortcut to a OneNote Page in OneDrive

Khadija Khan Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to create a direct Windows desktop shortcut to quickly open a specific OneNote page.

How to Create a Desktop Shortcut to a OneNote Page in OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Accessing frequently used OneNote pages directly from the computer desktop.
Observed behavior: The user requires the correct URL string format to ensure the shortcut opens the target OneNote page in the desktop app instead of a web browser.

Before you start

Ensure you are using the OneNote desktop application rather than OneNote for the web, as the web version does not provide the correct application link format required for desktop shortcuts.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Shortcut for a OneDrive-Stored OneNote Page

Extract the specific application link from a cloud-stored notebook and configure it as a Windows shortcut.

When you copy a link from a OneNote notebook stored on OneDrive, the desktop app places two links in your clipboard. The first is a standard web URL, and the second is an application-specific link that forces the desktop app to open.

Copy the page link

Open the OneNote desktop app, right-click the target page tab, and select 'Copy Link to Page'.

Extract the application link

Paste the copied clipboard contents into Notepad or any text editor. You will see two lines of text. Select and copy the second link, which typically starts with 'onenote:https://d.docs.live.net/'.

Initialize a new shortcut

Right-click on an empty area of your Windows desktop, select 'New', and then click 'Shortcut'.

Paste the URL

In the location field of the Create Shortcut wizard, paste the 'onenote:https://...' link you extracted earlier, then click 'Next'.

Name the shortcut

Type a recognizable name for your shortcut (e.g., 'Project Notes') and click 'Finish'.

Create a Shortcut for a OneDrive-Stored OneNote Page

Link Formatting Check: If you use the first link (starting with just https://), the shortcut will incorrectly open the notebook in your web browser instead of the desktop application.

Solution 2

Create a Shortcut for a Locally Stored Notebook Page

Quickly create a desktop shortcut for OneNote notebooks saved directly on your computer's local hard drive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I only get one link when copying from OneNote for the web?

OneNote for the web only generates standard web URLs. To obtain the specific desktop app link required for an application shortcut (starting with 'onenote:'), you must perform the 'Copy Link to Page' action from within the desktop version of OneNote.

Why is my desktop shortcut opening OneNote in a web browser?

This happens if you used the standard HTTPS link when creating the shortcut. When copying a link from a OneDrive-synced notebook in the desktop app, ensure you paste the content into a text editor first and copy the second line (which starts with 'onenote:https://') for your shortcut.

Can I create shortcuts for specific paragraphs in OneNote?

Yes. You can right-click any paragraph, image, or element within the OneNote desktop app, select 'Copy Link to Paragraph', and use that specific link to create a desktop shortcut following the same shortcut creation steps.

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