If you’re like me, I bet you’re thankful that your cell phone has a dedicated Facebook app – and rightly so: dedicated apps offer quick access to your account, and don’t require the use of a web browser.

However, like me, you’re probably also disappointed knowing that these same joys are not shared when you want to access your Facebook account from a PC or Mac. You know the drill: opening a new browser window, accessing the Bookmarks Bar or Favorites window, entering your account info after that, and only then finally logging on to Facebook. It’s not the worst process, but it’s not as easy as your tablet or phone where all it takes is a press of a button (or touch screen).

However, there is a solution. Enter Facebook Desktop…

 

A non-official Facebook app (in other words, this is not made by Facebook and is just an app someone else made), Facebook Desktop brings your Facebook account to your System Tray (the bottom of Windows where things like the Start menu and time are) or Mac OS Dock. In order to be a part of this anti-browser uprising, simply head over to Facebook Desktop’s website, download yourself a copy and install it.

Once the app installs, just enter your Facebook Account info (username, password) so Facebook Desktop knows exactly which account to pull information from.

After clicking Log In, Facebook will then need you to grant Facebook Desktop access to your account. Simply click Allow when presented with the above window.

facebook desktop

Great! You will now notice a small Facebook logo appear in your Windows System Tray (the bottom left of the Start bar near the time) or Mac OS Dock. That’s it! You will be presented with small pop-ups that let you know when you receive any additions to your News Feed, Messages, Pokes, Friend Requests, you name it. In addition, you can also post Status Updates by right-clicking on the Facebook Desktop icon and selecting you guessed it, Update Status.

In fact, you can right-click on the Facebook Desktop tray/dock icon to configure exactly what events will trigger a notification (so you aren’t completely bombarded with notifications from every new status update your friends post).

What’s more, the same menu allows you to:

  • Re-check for any updates that Facebook Desktop may have missed
  • Display your last five notifications
  • Pause Facebook Desktop– which may be helpful if you’re in the middle of working on a paper due in a few hours and really need to concentrate.
Of course, Facebook Desktop will NOT allow you to, say, edit your Account or Privacy Settings, video chat, upload pictures or videos etc. (for that you will need to go to the official Facebook website), it merely is a faster way for you to view and post Status Updates. Personally, I’m a big fan of Facebook Desktop and have found it to be a great app for those who wish to peek at their Facebook account without actually “heading online.” Check out the “promo” video below to watch Facebook Desktop in action.

 

 

And as always we wanna know your thoughts– have you used Facebook Desktop? Know of any better alternatives? Or are you happy with using the website and plan to just keep using that? Sound off in the comments.

Daniel Kipping is all about helping you get the best out of your computer, cell phone and tablet. When not writing here at TeensTalkTech, he discusses all things tech-related on his blog, ItsAKippingThing.