How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Locate the application shortcut

   Navigate to the desktop or the folder containing the shortcut icon for the application you wish to assign a key combination. If the application is in the Start menu, right-click the app icon, select More, and choose Open file location to find the shortcut file.

   Note: Custom shortcuts only function on shortcut files (.lnk), not on the executable (.exe) directly.
2. 30 sec

   Open the Properties window

   Right-click the shortcut icon and select Properties from the context menu. This opens a dedicated window for managing the file's launch behavior.

   Note: Ensure you are clicking the shortcut file, not the application itself.
3. 30 sec

   Assign a Shortcut key

   Click the Shortcut tab at the top of the window. Locate the field labeled Shortcut key, click inside it, and press the key combination you wish to use on your keyboard.

   Note: Windows automatically assigns Ctrl + Alt to your chosen key.
4. 15 sec

   Apply the changes

   Click the Apply button, then click OK to close the Properties window. The shortcut is now active and ready for use.

5. 15 sec

   Verify the functionality

   Press the custom key combination you just created. The associated application should launch immediately. If it does not launch, restart the Windows Explorer process via Task Manager.

   Note: If the shortcut key does not trigger, ensure the shortcut file remains on the Desktop or in the Start Menu folder.