If you like using a computer, PC or Mac, you might find it hard to get your calendar to be always on your desktop without having to open and close the application all the time.
Calendars are an important part of someone’s life that likes to stay organized and be productive. They make an individual be effective with his or her time.
By having a calendar on your desktop that you can glance at from time to time to check your schedule, you can reduce the time spent from having to open and close the app or browser whenever you want to add, edit, review or delete calendar entries.
There are multiple methods that let’s you display your calendar on your desktop. Depending on your operating system you will have to take different steps to complete the process. Furthermore, if the operating system or the calendar app updates, you may have to restart the process from scratch or take additional steps to add it again to desktop. The methods shown below are subject to change over time.
Have Your Calendar as Desktop Wallpaper
If you want to have a quick access to a calendar daily, you can always make it into a wallpaper and place it on your desktop. Depending on your operating, Windows, macOS, Linux, the process may differ.
Windows
To make a custom calendar wallpaper for your Windows desktop is quite easy. Open your favourite calendar app an place it wherever you have a clear view of it. Next step is to take a screenshot. Press Windows key + Print Screen and will automatically capture the entire screen. The screenshot will be saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder. This way you can create a custom wallpaper for each month.
To choose a new wallpaper in Windows, right-click your desktop and choose “Personalize”. Click the “Browse” button to search your custom made calendar wallpaper. After you chose it, hit “Save Changes” and your done.
macOS
To create a clean calendar wallpaper on the Mac, first of all, have a desktop without files or folders. Then open the calendar app, place the window where you like and select the month you want. To create a screenshot in macOS, press cmd key + Shift key + 3 key and the screen automatically will be captured. The screenshot can be found on Desktop or in Finder > Desktop folder.
To choose a new wallpaper in Mac, click > System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver. In the Desktop tab, click on the + button if you want to add a new folder where your calendar wallpapers or or just place your screenshots in one of the existing folders.
Linux
In Linux, to make a screenshot with your calendar as a wallpaper is pretty straightforward. After you’ve open and placed the calendar app where you like just hit the PrtSc(Print Screen) button on your keyboard and the screenshot will be saved in the “Pictures” directory.
Open Calendar at Login
It’s convenient to have your calendar app open when you login into your computer. Depending on the operating system you are using, you will have to follow different steps.
Windows 10
Create a shortcut for your calendar app on the desktop. Press Windows key + R key and type shell:startup which will open the “Startup” folder. Drag and drop or copy/paste the calendar shortcut in the “Startup” folder and your done.
Windows 11
Open “Settings” and select “Apps” from left panel. Go to “Startup” and you will see a list with all the apps installed. Click the toggle next to the calendar app to turn in on. In this way your app will open at login.
macOS
In order for the Mac calendar app to start at login it first needs to be open or present in the Dock. If your calendar app is not present there then to “Application” folder and open or drag and drop the app on to the Dock. Right-click on calendar app in the Dock and hover “Options” and check “Open at login”.
Have Shortcuts to Your Desktop Calendar
It’s convenient to have shortcuts to any app especially one that you are using daily such as the calendar to check your schedule for events, appointments or other plans. A shortcut gives you quick access. To create a shortcut for any app differs depending on the operating system you are using.
Windows 10 & 11
To create a shortcut in Windows 10 for your calendar app right-click the .exe hover New and choose Shortcut.
In Windows 11 in order to create a shortcut right-click the .exe and chooder “Show More Options”. If you want the shortcut to appear on desktop hover Send to and choose “Desktop(create shortcut)” otherwise choose “Create shortcut” which will create a shortcut in current folder.
Chrome
If you like using Google Calendar or other browser calendar app you can create an easy shortcut using Chrome. Click on ⋮ hover “More Tools” and choose “Create Shortcut…”
Firefox
In Firefox creating a shortcut, for your fitness calendar for example, can be done using two methods.
- First method is using the padlock icon near the url. While the calendar web app is open press and hold the padlock and drag and drop it on desktop thus creating a shortcut.
- Second method is using the Bookmark feature. You can create a shortcut by dragging and dropping a bookmark.
Safari
To create a shortcut using the Safari browser you just have to drag and drop the URL bar onto the Mac desktop screen.
Have Browser Bookmarks For Your Calendar
If you’re spending most of your time in a browser it’s normal to use bookmarks to quickly view your calendar. In this way you can easily go to your toolbar and check your schedule for events, appointments or other plans you may have later that day. By having your calendar made as a bookmark you don’t have to make a shortcut to your app or transform it into a wallpaper. Depending on the browser you are using, you will have to follow different steps to create a bookmark.
Chrome
Go to your calendar web application of your choice and click on the star icon placed on the right corner of URL(address) bar. After clicking on the icon you can specify the name you want for your bookmark and you can choose the folder where you want it to be saved. You can also press Ctrl + D on Windows or press Command + D on Mac.
Firefox
It’s the same process as in Chrome, just click on the star icon after you open your calendar. Ctrl + D on Windows or Command + D on Mac work also in Firefox.
Safari
To add a bookmark in Safari, hover the URL(address) bar and ⊕ button will appear in left corner. Press and hold for a two seconds and a dropdown will appear and choose “Bookmarks”.
Internet Explorer
Just as in Chrome or Firefox, to bookmark a calendar website or web application you can use the star icon on right side of the address bar or just use the Ctrl + D on Windows or Command + D on Mac.
Use Calendar Extensions or Widgets
Depending on the operating system, you can install Desktop extensions, widgets or just use the ones built-in. On Windows you can get calendar widgets that are packed with features. Depending on the version of macOS, you can use the Notification Center feature to add or remove calendar widgets.
There are several great widgets and extension you can use to help you stay organized and be productive.
- Rainlender is a customizable calendar app available for Windows or Mac that stays out of your way but keeps all your important events and tasks always visible on your desktop.
- Google Calendar – If you don’t like using a browser for your Google Calendar, you can use third-party apps.
- Microsoft Outlook Calendar – If you already have Microsoft Office suite installed, you can use the Outlook Calendar.
- Yahoo Calendar – If you like using Yahoo services or products, you can always use the Yahoo Calendar and sync your account with any operating system.
- Apple Calendar – The Apple Calendar is a built-in macOS application that you can use as it is or from the Notification Center.