A simple method to deposit silver thin films and microstructures onto glass substrates by visible laser irradiation has been investigated. Under laser irradiation on a glass sample cell filled with a mixed solution of sodium citrate and silver nitrate, a bright silver thin film can be produced on the surface of the glass in contact with the solution at the irradiated region. The growth rate of silver films is influenced by laser power density, laser wavelength, irradiation time, reactant concentration, etc. X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and Raman spectrometer are used to investigate the characteristics, surface morphology and Raman activity of silver films. The prepared silver films exhibit excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity. Furthermore, the silver relief gratings with period from several micrometers to several hundred nanometers are achieved on the surface of the glass by two-beam interference method.