Creating .desktop file

Question

I have tried to create a .desktop file to run vncviewer (tight vnc connecting to a mac). I have entered below into the file.

[Desktop Entry]
Version=x.y
Name=VNCViewer
Comment=This is my comment
Exec=/usr/bin/vncviewer 10.0.1.5:5900
Terminal=true

When I double click the file it returns "There was an error launching the application."

Any suggestions what I have done wrong in my .desktop file?

exIT Solutions · Answer 1 · 2012-08-10T23:43:42.037

3

Ok I found what the problem was.

You are missing one entry in the file. Place the following entry into the file

Type=Application

After you save the file, you'll notice it's icon change to look more like an application than what is looks like now (a text/script file).

Even if you make the file executable Ubuntu Desktop doesn't know if this file is a script or application and assumes it's a script. But if you place the Type=Application it will run it fine.

edited Aug 10 '12 at 23:43

answered Aug 10 '12 at 23:30

exIT Solutions

284

Have a look at Arronax for a GUI to create .desktop files – Florian Diesch Aug 11 '12 at 00:39
gnome-desktop-item-edit --create-new path/to/folder is useful... – artfulrobot Feb 21 '13 at 18:11

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 11 '18 at 07:04

0

Maybe you can give this a try: Exec=bash -c "/usr/bin/vncviewer 10.0.1.5:5900"

Also make sure your .desktop file is executable. chmod +x your_file.desktop

answered Oct 11 '18 at 07:04

Sander

424

score 0 · Answer 3 · edited Oct 01 '15 at 13:18

0

Adding

Path=/path/to/directory

may be required if the application requires the user to start the executable binary in a certain directory. That was the case for me when just compiling a program from source but not installing system-wide.

edited Oct 01 '15 at 13:18

hg8

13,580

answered Apr 03 '13 at 16:15

Standards Libre

1

Creating .desktop file

3 Answers3