diff --git a/rare/__main__.py b/rare/__main__.py
index 21254aa1..5ba902a9 100644
--- a/rare/__main__.py
+++ b/rare/__main__.py
@@ -58,13 +58,13 @@ def main():
     if args.desktop_shortcut:
         from rare.utils import utils
 
-        utils.create_rare_desktop_link("desktop")
+        utils.create_desktop_link(type_of_link="desktop", for_rare=True)
         print("Link created")
 
     if args.startmenu_shortcut:
         from rare.utils import utils
 
-        utils.create_rare_desktop_link("start_menu")
+        utils.create_desktop_link(type_of_link="start_menu", for_rare=True)
         print("link created")
 
     if args.version:
diff --git a/rare/components/tabs/games/game_widgets/base_installed_widget.py b/rare/components/tabs/games/game_widgets/base_installed_widget.py
index ae54f0a9..8653863f 100644
--- a/rare/components/tabs/games/game_widgets/base_installed_widget.py
+++ b/rare/components/tabs/games/game_widgets/base_installed_widget.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import os
 import platform
 from logging import getLogger
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtSignal, QProcess, QSettings, Qt, QByteArray
+from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtSignal, QProcess, QSettings, QStandardPaths, Qt, QByteArray
 from PyQt5.QtGui import QPixmap
 from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QGroupBox, QMessageBox, QAction, QLabel
 
@@ -83,9 +83,10 @@ class BaseInstalledWidget(QGroupBox):
             sync.triggered.connect(self.sync_game)
             self.addAction(sync)
 
+        desktop = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.DesktopLocation)
         if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/{self.game.app_title}.desktop")
-        ) or os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/{self.game.app_title}.lnk")):
+                os.path.join(desktop, f"{self.game.app_title}.desktop")
+        ) or os.path.exists(os.path.join(desktop, f"{self.game.app_title}.lnk")):
             self.create_desktop = QAction(self.tr("Remove Desktop link"))
         else:
             self.create_desktop = QAction(self.tr("Create Desktop link"))
@@ -95,14 +96,11 @@ class BaseInstalledWidget(QGroupBox):
             )
             self.addAction(self.create_desktop)
 
+        applications = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.ApplicationsLocation)
         if platform.system() == "Linux":
-            start_menu_file = os.path.expanduser(
-                f"~/.local/share/applications/{self.game.app_title}.desktop"
-            )
+            start_menu_file = os.path.join(applications, f"{self.game.app_title}.desktop")
         elif platform.system() == "Windows":
-            start_menu_file = os.path.expandvars(
-                "%appdata%/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu"
-            )
+            start_menu_file = os.path.join(applications, "..", f"{self.game.app_title}.lnk")
         else:
             start_menu_file = ""
         if platform.system() in ["Windows", "Linux"]:
@@ -136,23 +134,27 @@ class BaseInstalledWidget(QGroupBox):
         )
 
     def create_desktop_link(self, type_of_link):
-        if platform.system() not in ["Windows", "Linux"]:
+        if type_of_link == "desktop":
+            shortcut_path = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.DesktopLocation)
+        elif type_of_link == "start_menu":
+            shortcut_path = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.ApplicationsLocation)
+        else:
+            return
+
+        if platform.system() == "Windows":
+            shortcut_path = os.path.join(shortcut_path, f"{self.game.app_title}.lnk")
+        elif platform.system() == "Linux":
+            shortcut_path = os.path.join(shortcut_path, f"{self.game.app_title}.desktop")
+        else:
             QMessageBox.warning(
                 self,
                 "Warning",
                 f"Create a Desktop link is currently not supported on {platform.system()}",
             )
             return
-        if type_of_link == "desktop":
-            path = os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/")
-        elif type_of_link == "start_menu":
-            path = os.path.expanduser("~/.local/share/applications/")
-        else:
-            return
-        if not (
-                os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f"{path}{self.game.app_title}.desktop"))
-                or os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f"{path}{self.game.app_title}.lnk"))
-        ):
+            
+
+        if not os.path.exists(shortcut_path):
             try:
                 if not create_desktop_link(self.game.app_name, self.core, type_of_link):
                     return
@@ -165,12 +167,8 @@ class BaseInstalledWidget(QGroupBox):
             elif type_of_link == "start_menu":
                 self.create_start_menu.setText(self.tr("Remove Start menu link"))
         else:
-            if os.path.exists(
-                    os.path.expanduser(f"{path}{self.game.app_title}.desktop")
-            ):
-                os.remove(os.path.expanduser(f"{path}{self.game.app_title}.desktop"))
-            elif os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f"{path}{self.game.app_title}.lnk")):
-                os.remove(os.path.expanduser(f"{path}{self.game.app_title}.lnk"))
+            if os.path.exists(shortcut_path):
+                os.remove(shortcut_path)
 
             if type_of_link == "desktop":
                 self.create_desktop.setText(self.tr("Create Desktop link"))
diff --git a/rare/components/tabs/settings/rare.py b/rare/components/tabs/settings/rare.py
index 5a32aca7..187fb94d 100644
--- a/rare/components/tabs/settings/rare.py
+++ b/rare/components/tabs/settings/rare.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import subprocess
 import sys
 from logging import getLogger
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import QSettings, Qt
+from PyQt5.QtCore import QSettings, QStandardPaths, Qt
 from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QWidget, QMessageBox
 
 from rare.shared import LegendaryCoreSingleton
@@ -113,16 +113,14 @@ class RareSettings(QWidget, Ui_RareSettings):
             lambda: self.settings.setValue("show_console", self.log_games.isChecked())
         )
 
+        desktop = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.DesktopLocation)
+        applications = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.ApplicationsLocation)
         if platform.system() == "Linux":
-            self.desktop_file = os.path.expanduser("~/Desktop/Rare.desktop")
-            self.start_menu_link = os.path.expanduser(
-                "~/.local/share/applications/Rare.desktop"
-            )
+            self.desktop_file = os.path.join(desktop, "Rare.desktop")
+            self.start_menu_link = os.path.join(applications, "Rare.desktop")
         elif platform.system() == "Windows":
-            self.desktop_file = os.path.expanduser("~/Desktop/Rare.lnk")
-            self.start_menu_link = os.path.expandvars(
-                "%appdata%\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Rare.lnk"
-            )
+            self.desktop_file = os.path.join(desktop, "Rare.lnk")
+            self.start_menu_link = os.path.join(applications, "..", "Rare.lnk")
         else:
             self.desktop_link_btn.setText(self.tr("Not supported"))
             self.desktop_link_btn.setDisabled(True)
@@ -162,7 +160,7 @@ class RareSettings(QWidget, Ui_RareSettings):
     def create_start_menu_link(self):
         try:
             if not os.path.exists(self.start_menu_link):
-                utils.create_rare_desktop_link("start_menu")
+                utils.create_desktop_link(type_of_link="start_menu", for_rare=True)
                 self.startmenu_link_btn.setText(self.tr("Remove start menu link"))
             else:
                 os.remove(self.start_menu_link)
@@ -178,7 +176,7 @@ class RareSettings(QWidget, Ui_RareSettings):
     def create_desktop_link(self):
         try:
             if not os.path.exists(self.desktop_file):
-                utils.create_rare_desktop_link("desktop")
+                utils.create_desktop_link(type_of_link="desktop", for_rare=True)
                 self.desktop_link_btn.setText(self.tr("Remove Desktop link"))
             else:
                 os.remove(self.desktop_file)
diff --git a/rare/utils/legendary_utils.py b/rare/utils/legendary_utils.py
index 17ef38cd..77e09788 100644
--- a/rare/utils/legendary_utils.py
+++ b/rare/utils/legendary_utils.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import platform
 import shutil
 from logging import getLogger
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtSignal, QCoreApplication, QObject, QRunnable
+from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtSignal, QCoreApplication, QObject, QRunnable, QStandardPaths
 
 from legendary.core import LegendaryCore
 from legendary.models.game import VerifyResult
@@ -20,31 +20,26 @@ def uninstall(app_name: str, core: LegendaryCore, options=None):
     igame = core.get_installed_game(app_name)
 
     # remove shortcuts link
+    desktop = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.DesktopLocation)
+    applications = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.ApplicationsLocation)
     if platform.system() == "Linux":
-        if os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/{igame.title}.desktop")):
-            os.remove(os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/{igame.title}.desktop"))
-        if os.path.exists(
-            os.path.expanduser(f"~/.local/share/applications/{igame.title}.desktop")
-        ):
-            os.remove(
-                os.path.expanduser(f"~/.local/share/applications/{igame.title}.desktop")
-            )
+        desktop_shortcut = os.path.join(desktop, f"{igame.title}.desktop")
+        if os.path.exists(desktop_shortcut):
+            os.remove(desktop_shortcut)
+
+        applications_shortcut = os.path.join(applications, f"{igame.title}.desktop")
+        if os.path.exists(applications_shortcut):
+            os.remove(applications_shortcut)
 
     elif platform.system() == "Windows":
-        if os.path.exists(
-            os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/{igame.title.split(':')[0]}.lnk")
-        ):
-            os.remove(os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/{igame.title.split(':')[0]}.lnk"))
-        elif os.path.exists(
-            os.path.expandvars(
-                f"%appdata%/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/{igame.title.split(':')[0]}.lnk"
-            )
-        ):
-            os.remove(
-                os.path.expandvars(
-                    f"%appdata%/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/{igame.title.split(':')[0]}.lnk"
-                )
-            )
+        game_title = igame.title.split(":")[0]
+        desktop_shortcut = os.path.join(desktop, f"{game_title}.lnk")
+        if os.path.exists(desktop_shortcut):
+            os.remove(desktop_shortcut)
+
+        start_menu_shortcut = os.path.join(applications, "..", f"{game_title}.lnk")
+        if os.path.exists(start_menu_shortcut):
+            os.remove(start_menu_shortcut)
 
     try:
         # Remove DLC first so directory is empty when game uninstall runs
diff --git a/rare/utils/utils.py b/rare/utils/utils.py
index f9043b18..659fd567 100644
--- a/rare/utils/utils.py
+++ b/rare/utils/utils.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import json
 import math
 import os
 import platform
+import shlex
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 import sys
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ from PyQt5.QtCore import (
     QObject,
     QRunnable,
     QSettings,
+    QStandardPaths,
     Qt,
     QFile,
     QDir,
@@ -249,87 +251,27 @@ def get_size(b: int) -> str:
         b /= 1024
 
 
-def create_rare_desktop_link(type_of_link):
-    # Linux
-    if platform.system() == "Linux":
-        if type_of_link == "desktop":
-            path = os.path.expanduser("~/Desktop/")
-        elif type_of_link == "start_menu":
-            path = os.path.expanduser("~/.local/share/applications/")
-        else:
-            return
-        if not os.path.exists(path):
-            return
+def create_desktop_link(app_name=None, core: LegendaryCore = None, type_of_link="desktop", for_rare: bool = False) -> bool:
+    if not for_rare:
+        igame = core.get_installed_game(app_name)
 
-        if p := os.environ.get("APPIMAGE"):
-            executable = p
+        if os.path.exists(p := os.path.join(image_dir, igame.app_name, "Thumbnail.png")):
+            icon = p
+        elif os.path.exists(
+                p := os.path.join(image_dir, igame.app_name, "DieselGameBoxLogo.png")
+        ):
+            icon = p
         else:
-            executable = f"{sys.executable} {os.path.abspath(sys.argv[0])}"
-        with open(os.path.join(path, "Rare.desktop"), "w") as desktop_file:
-            desktop_file.write(
-                "[Desktop Entry]\n"
-                f"Name=Rare\n"
-                f"Type=Application\n"
-                f"Categories=Game;\n"
-                f"Icon={os.path.join(resources_path, 'images', 'Rare.png')}\n"
-                f"Exec={executable}\n"
-                "Terminal=false\n"
-                "StartupWMClass=rare\n"
+            icon = os.path.join(
+                os.path.join(image_dir, igame.app_name, "DieselGameBoxTall.png")
             )
-            desktop_file.close()
-        os.chmod(os.path.expanduser(os.path.join(path, "Rare.desktop")), 0o755)
+        icon = icon.replace(".png", "")
 
-    elif platform.system() == "Windows":
-        # Target of shortcut
-        if type_of_link == "desktop":
-            target_folder = os.path.expanduser("~/Desktop/")
-        elif type_of_link == "start_menu":
-            target_folder = os.path.expandvars("%appdata%/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu")
-        else:
-            logger.warning("No valid type of link")
-            return
-        linkName = "Rare.lnk"
-
-        # Path to location of link file
-        pathLink = os.path.join(target_folder, linkName)
-
-        executable = sys.executable
-        executable = executable.replace("python.exe", "pythonw.exe")
-        logger.debug(executable)
-        # Add shortcut
-        shell = Dispatch("WScript.Shell")
-        shortcut = shell.CreateShortCut(pathLink)
-        shortcut.Targetpath = executable
-        if not sys.executable.endswith("Rare.exe"):
-            shortcut.Arguments = os.path.abspath(sys.argv[0])
-
-        # Icon
-        shortcut.IconLocation = os.path.join(resources_path, "images", "Rare.ico")
-
-        shortcut.save()
-
-
-def create_desktop_link(app_name, core: LegendaryCore, type_of_link="desktop") -> bool:
-    igame = core.get_installed_game(app_name)
-
-    if os.path.exists(p := os.path.join(image_dir, igame.app_name, "Thumbnail.png")):
-        icon = p
-    elif os.path.exists(
-            p := os.path.join(image_dir, igame.app_name, "DieselGameBoxLogo.png")
-    ):
-        icon = p
-    else:
-        icon = os.path.join(
-            os.path.join(image_dir, igame.app_name, "DieselGameBoxTall.png")
-        )
-    icon = icon.replace(".png", "")
-
-    # Linux
     if platform.system() == "Linux":
         if type_of_link == "desktop":
-            path = os.path.expanduser(f"~/Desktop/")
+            path = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.DesktopLocation)
         elif type_of_link == "start_menu":
-            path = os.path.expanduser("~/.local/share/applications/")
+            path = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.ApplicationsLocation)
         else:
             return False
         if not os.path.exists(path):
@@ -338,39 +280,59 @@ def create_desktop_link(app_name, core: LegendaryCore, type_of_link="desktop") -
             executable = p
         else:
             executable = f"{sys.executable} {os.path.abspath(sys.argv[0])}"
-        with open(f"{path}{igame.title}.desktop", "w") as desktop_file:
-            desktop_file.write(
-                "[Desktop Entry]\n"
-                f"Name={igame.title}\n"
-                f"Type=Application\n"
-                f"Categories=Game;\n"
-                f"Icon={icon}.png\n"
-                f"Exec={executable} launch {app_name}\n"
-                "Terminal=false\n"
-                "StartupWMClass=rare-game\n"
-            )
-            desktop_file.close()
-        os.chmod(os.path.expanduser(f"{path}{igame.title}.desktop"), 0o755)
 
-    # Windows
+        if for_rare:
+            with open(os.path.join(path, "Rare.desktop"), "w") as desktop_file:
+                desktop_file.write(
+                    "[Desktop Entry]\n"
+                    f"Name=Rare\n"
+                    f"Type=Application\n"
+                    f"Categories=Game;\n"
+                    f"Icon={os.path.join(resources_path, 'images', 'Rare.png')}\n"
+                    f"Exec={executable}\n"
+                    "Terminal=false\n"
+                    "StartupWMClass=rare\n"
+                )
+        else:
+            with open(os.path.join(path, f"{igame.title}.desktop"), "w") as desktop_file:
+                desktop_file.write(
+                    "[Desktop Entry]\n"
+                    f"Name={igame.title}\n"
+                    f"Type=Application\n"
+                    f"Categories=Game;\n"
+                    f"Icon={icon}.png\n"
+                    f"Exec={executable} launch {app_name}\n"
+                    "Terminal=false\n"
+                    "StartupWMClass=rare-game\n"
+                )
+            os.chmod(os.path.join(path, f"{igame.title}.desktop"), 0o755)
+
+        return True
+
     elif platform.system() == "Windows":
         # Target of shortcut
         if type_of_link == "desktop":
-            target_folder = os.path.expanduser("~/Desktop/")
+            target_folder = QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.DesktopLocation)
         elif type_of_link == "start_menu":
-            target_folder = os.path.expandvars("%appdata%/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu")
+            target_folder = os.path.join(
+                QStandardPaths.writableLocation(QStandardPaths.ApplicationsLocation),
+                ".."
+            )
         else:
             logger.warning("No valid type of link")
             return False
         if not os.path.exists(target_folder):
             return False
 
-        # Name of link file
-        linkName = igame.title
-        for c in r'<>?":|\/*':
-            linkName.replace(c, "")
+        if for_rare:
+            linkName = "Rare.lnk"
+        else:
+            linkName = igame.title
+            # TODO: this conversion is not applied everywhere (see base_installed_widget), should it?
+            for c in r'<>?":|\/*':
+                linkName.replace(c, "")
 
-        linkName = f"{linkName.strip()}.lnk"
+            linkName = f"{linkName.strip()}.lnk"
 
         # Path to location of link file
         pathLink = os.path.join(target_folder, linkName)
@@ -378,25 +340,40 @@ def create_desktop_link(app_name, core: LegendaryCore, type_of_link="desktop") -
         # Add shortcut
         shell = Dispatch("WScript.Shell")
         shortcut = shell.CreateShortCut(pathLink)
-        if sys.executable.endswith("Rare.exe"):
-            executable = sys.executable
-        else:
-            executable = f"{sys.executable} {os.path.abspath(sys.argv[0])}"
+
+        executable = sys.executable
+        arguments = []
+
+        if not sys.executable.endswith("Rare.exe"):
+            # be sure to start consoleless then
+            executable = sys.executable.replace("python.exe", "pythonw.exe")
+            arguments.append(os.path.abspath(sys.argv[0]))
+
+        if not for_rare:
+            arguments.extend(["launch", app_name])
+
         shortcut.Targetpath = executable
-        shortcut.Arguments = f"launch {app_name}"
-        shortcut.WorkingDirectory = os.getcwd()
+        shortcut.Arguments = shlex.join(arguments)
+
+        if for_rare:
+            shortcut.WorkingDirectory = os.getcwd()
 
         # Icon
-        if not os.path.exists(f"{icon}.ico"):
-            img = QImage()
-            img.load(f"{icon}.png")
-            img.save(f"{icon}.ico")
-            logger.info("Create Icon")
-        shortcut.IconLocation = os.path.join(f"{icon}.ico")
+        if for_rare:
+            icon_location = os.path.join(resources_path, "images", "Rare.ico")
+        else:
+            if not os.path.exists(f"{icon}.ico"):
+                img = QImage()
+                img.load(f"{icon}.png")
+                img.save(f"{icon}.ico")
+                logger.info("Create Icon")
+            icon_location = f"{icon}.ico"
+        shortcut.IconLocation = os.path.abspath(icon_location)
 
         shortcut.save()
         return True
 
+    # mac OS is based on Darwin
     elif platform.system() == "Darwin":
         return False