This question already has an answer here: Running a .desktop file in the terminal 10 answers #!/usr/bin/env xdg-open [Desktop Entry] Version=1.0 Type=Link Name=ShareFolder Icon=/usr/share/icons/DPL/NetworkShare.png Name[en_US]=ShareFolder URL=smb://servername/sharefolder This is my .desktop file which has a URL. How do I execute this desktop shortcut in the terminal? If i double click it works perfectly, but I need to execute this in terminal. I tried Running a .desktop file in the terminal. That didn't work for me either but it does if its an "application" shortcut. I'm trying here to execute "link" .desktop file, where you define in the type section (Type=Link) and (URL=smb://servername/sharefolder)