Le Bon Coin does not offer a native application for Windows. To access the site from the desktop, you need to create a shortcut, which generates a generic icon that is hard to spot among other files. The problem is compounded in Windows 11, where desktop display options can hide icons without warning, and where the difference between a web shortcut and an installed application shortcut can be confusing.
Web shortcut, application shortcut, and Le Bon Coin PWA: three different objects on the desktop
When we talk about adding Le Bon Coin to the desktop, we are actually referring to three distinct types of objects that behave differently. Confusing them explains most of the issues reported on help forums.
The classic web shortcut is a .url file that points to leboncoin.fr. It opens in the default browser, inherits a generic icon (often that of the browser or a globe), and does not retain any session data. This is the type of shortcut created by simply dragging and dropping the URL from the address bar.
The application shortcut, on the other hand, corresponds to a .lnk file that points to an executable installed on the disk. Microsoft documents the creation of this type of shortcut by dragging and dropping from the “All apps” list in the Start menu to the desktop. Since Le Bon Coin does not have software to install, this format does not apply directly unless the browser installs the site as a Progressive Web App (PWA).
The PWA constitutes the third option. Chrome and Edge allow leboncoin.fr to be installed as a standalone application. The site then opens in its own window, without an address bar, and the displayed icon takes the official favicon of the site, making it easily identifiable at first glance. This shortcut also appears in the “All apps” list in Windows 11, like a traditional software application.
For those looking to put the Le Bon Coin icon on their desktop with a clean appearance, the PWA remains the most reliable method to obtain a recognizable icon without additional manipulation.
Install Le Bon Coin as a PWA on Windows 11 with Chrome or Edge
The procedure differs slightly between the two browsers, but the result is the same: a dedicated icon on the desktop and in the Start menu.
With Google Chrome
- Open leboncoin.fr in Chrome and log into your account if necessary
- Click on the three dots menu in the top right, then on “Install Le Bon Coin” or “More tools” then “Create shortcut” checking “Open as window”
- Confirm the installation: the icon appears on the desktop and in the Windows applications list
With Microsoft Edge
Edge integrates the function directly into its main menu. After opening leboncoin.fr, simply select “Apps” then “Install this site as an app”. Edge uses the site’s favicon as the icon and automatically creates a shortcut on the desktop.
In both cases, the created shortcut is a .lnk file that points to the browser in application mode. Windows treats it as an installed program, allowing it to be pinned to the taskbar or Start menu.
Cluttered Windows 11 desktop: why the Le Bon Coin icon disappears
Several users report not being able to find their shortcut after creating it. Before trying the process again, two checks are necessary.
Windows 11 offers an option “Show desktop icons” accessible by right-clicking on the desktop, then “View”. If this box is unchecked, all icons disappear, including those that have just been added. The shortcut still exists in the user’s Desktop folder, but it is not visible on the screen.
Customizing desktop icons can also be managed from Windows settings: Personalization, then Themes, then “Desktop icon settings”. This section concerns system icons (Recycle Bin, This PC, Network), but it familiarizes the user with the overall management panel for desktop display.
On a desktop with several dozen files, the Le Bon Coin shortcut may also end up outside the visible area, pushed away by automatic organization. A right-click on the desktop, then “Sort by” and “Name”, groups all items alphabetically, making it easier to locate.
Customize the Le Bon Coin shortcut icon on the Windows desktop
A classic web shortcut (.url) often displays the default browser icon, making it indistinguishable from other favorites placed on the desktop. Manual customization solves this problem.
To change the icon of a shortcut in Windows 11:
- Right-click on the shortcut, then “Properties”
- “Shortcut” tab (for .lnk files) or “Web Document” tab (for .url files), then “Change icon”
- Select a .ico file stored on the disk: you can retrieve the favicon from leboncoin.fr or use a custom icon in .ico format
- Confirm and check that the icon displays correctly on the desktop
The .ico format remains the only one accepted by Windows for shortcut icons. A .png or .jpg file does not work directly and must be converted beforehand with an online conversion tool or an image editor.
The size of the icon on the screen depends on the desktop display setting. A right-click on the desktop, then “View”, allows you to choose between large, medium, and small icons. On a high-resolution screen, medium icons offer the best compromise between readability and available space.
The PWA method avoids this manual customization: the icon automatically retrieved by Chrome or Edge corresponds to the official site logo, in a resolution suitable for Windows display. For an already cluttered desktop, combining the PWA with a dedicated folder for web shortcuts allows for a readable workspace without sacrificing quick access to leboncoin.fr.