Offers the ability to save tab(s) and bookmarks as Internet shortcut files.
Save as Shortcut Extension
-Description-
\tPersonally, I've always used Internet shortcut files for a variety of reasons. For example:
\t\t1. To passively share links to content via shared folders.
\t\t2. To supersede the temporary use of pinned tabs and bookmarks.
\t\t3. As portable links.
\t\t4. To accompany resources (installers with links to the websites, projects with links to assets, etc).
\tHowever, I always found them so awkward to create, hence me creating this extension.
-FAQ-
\tQ: As Chrome manifest v2 is being depreciated in 2024, is this extension being updated to support v3?
\tA: Yes, after quite a lot of work, I have successfully rewritten Save as Shortcut to support Chrome manifest v3 and its asynchronous service workers.
\tQ: Why does this extension say that it reads my browsing history?
\tA: I don't know. It does not. To see the real permissions, check file \"%localAppData%\\Google\\Chrome\\User Data\\Default\\Extensions\\flehofiklehmnnolpjcamplcnmhgcbkk\\
\tQ: Are you aware of X issue?
\tA: As of 2024/11/23, I'm not aware of any issues.
\tQ: Can this extension be updated to do X?
\tA: I'm open to ideas so feel free to contact me.
\tQ: Can I test upcoming features and fixes?
\tA: Yes, there is a beta version available here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/save-as-shortcut-beta/kmemfmaclfmhaddkneldhbcmlpoanbmg
\t
\tQ: Does this extension have any tracking or collect any personal information?
\tA: Nope. Simple as that. In fact, third parties regularly offer to pay me relatively large sums of money per month to inject their code into my app and I have always refused because I hate it when other developers do that so I don't want to be that person.
\tQ: Can I donate?
\tA: Sure. 😊 https://paypal.me/mythofechelon
-Version history-
\t• 5.70.2294, 2024/11/10 (published to beta first):
\t\t- Changed method of triggering the download from chrome.downloads.download to chrome.scripting.executeScript with simulated clicks, hence adding \"permissions\" → \"active_tab\" and \"scripting\" and removing \"permissions\" → \"downloads\". This should resolve the following issues caused by the Chrome API:
\t\t\t+ File name conflicts with other extensions.
\t\t\t+ Saved folder always being \"Downloads\".
\t\t\t+ Potentially other things like inconsistent triggering.
\t• 5.69.2235, 2024/10/28 (published to beta first):
\t\t- As requested by users, exposed internal logic as new option \"Shortcut file maximum characters\".
\t• 5.68.2220, 2024/09/15 to 2024/09/22 (published to beta first):
\t\t- Consolidated popup logging to service worker so all data is in one place which makes it easier to diagnose on-load issues with the popup as closing the popup closes the inspect window.
\t\t- Added instructions on enabling developer mode which reveals the option to inspect the service worker in order to get the diagnostic log.
\t\t- Implemented usage of chrome.downloads.onDeterminingFilename to resolve conflict with other extensions which was causing the saved file to be named \"download\".
\t• 5.67.2213, 2024/05/25 (published to beta first):
\t\t- Changed manifest version from 2 to 3 which required the following:
\t\t\t+ As background pages have been removed, replaced with a service worker.
\t\t\t+ As service workers cannot access localStorage, replaced usage with chrome.storage.local and message passing between service worker and popup.
\t\t\t+ As service workers are inherently asynchronous but code needs to be processed synchronously, changed all functions to be async and all function calls to use await.
\t\t\t+ As service workers don't have a page, changed download method from simulating a click on the background page to chrome.downloads.download (hence new permission \"downloads\").
\t\t\t+ Replaced chrome.contextMenus.create → onclick with chrome.contextMenus.onClicked.addListener.
\t\t\t+ As service workers cannot use chrome.extension.getViews to access the popup page, replaced usage with message passing.
\t\t- Upgraded JSZip from v3.2.1 to v3.10.1.
\t• 4.66.1952, 2024/06/06:
\t\t- So that user options / preferences are preserved, added code to frequently migrate the data from localStorage to chrome.storage.local (hence new permission \"storage\") in preparation for the migration to already-completed Save as Shortcut v5 which uses Chrome manifest v3 which cannot access localStorage.
\t• 4.65.1944, 2021/07/20 (published to beta first):
\t\t- Implemented trimming of file names larger than 225 characters (Windows NTFS maximum of 255 minus spacing for prefixes of 30), as these were breaking extraction of ZIP files.
\t• 4.64.1939, 2021/06/11:
\t\t- Implemented workaround for Google Chrome version ~91.0.4472.77 bug / error \"Unchecked runtime.lastError: Tabs cannot be queried right now (user may be dragging a tab).\" Refer to https://stackoverflow.com/questions/67806779/im-getting-an-error-tabs-cannot-be-edited-right-now-user-may-be-dragging-a-ta
\t• 4.64.1936, 2021/05/15:
\t\t- Fixed bug where context menu wouldn't be removed. This was due to an old localStorage variable name being referenced in a catchall if statement and, therefore, always being null and matching.
\t• 4.64, 2021/03/27 to 2021/03/28 (published to beta first):
\t\t- Changed option \"Diagnostic log and console\" from opening background page to including guidance on how to open the background page, as it was opening a secondary one that didn't include the logging data.
\t\t- Added copying to clipboard when selecting file name variables.
\t\t- Added help tooltips to the more obscure file name variables.
\t\t- Improved diagnostic logging details (greater detail, greater readability, consolidated background.js logging to also use function, removed 'background_Log(\"\")' and added newline characters to actual logging line, fixed logging of tab info objects).
\t\t- Improved performance by removing calls to background_processData_Generate_Name_Shortcut() from background_Tabs_Single_setDetails_* and adding them to the end of each original function.
\t\t- Changed option \"Preserve order in bookmarks archive\" to default to enabled.
\t\t- Changed handling of unnamed bookmarks, appending host in parenthesis to give some indication.
\t\t- Added handling of 0 tabs (happens when DevTools window is focused).
\t\t- Updated description to include saving of bookmarks as a feature.
\t\t- Converted the URL and archive name pattern fields from to
Source Manifest.json
How to download and manually install Save as Shortcut extension for Chrome
Looking for a way to install Save as Shortcut extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.
However, you may need to install Save as Shortcut extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Save as Shortcut extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.
Method 1: Download Save as Shortcut extension and manually install through Drag &Drop
If you ever need to manually install a Save as Shortcut extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.
Step 1: Download the Save as Shortcut Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.
Look for the Save as Shortcut extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Save as Shortcut extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Save as Shortcut extension that contains all the data.
Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files
Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.
Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page
Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.
Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension
Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Save as Shortcut extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.
Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.
Method 2: Download Save as Shortcut extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode
This is another method to install Save as Shortcut extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.
Step 1: Download the Save as Shortcut extension file
Select and download the Save as Shortcut extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.
Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents
Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Save as Shortcut extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Save as Shortcut extension running.
Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page
In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.
Step 4: Enable Developer Mode
After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.
Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension
Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."
Step 6: Select the Extension Folder
Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Save as Shortcut extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.
Step 7: Confirm and Install
After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.
Conclusion
Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Save as Shortcut extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.
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User reviews
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