Assigning a Shortcut Key to a Start Menu Item

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated August 31, 2020)

2

In an effort to keep your hands on the keyboard as much as possible, you may find it convenient to assign shortcut keys to items in your Start menu. The process is similar to adding a shortcut key to any other item. Follow these steps:

  1. Click on Start to display the Start menu.
  2. If you are using Windows 7, right-click on the option for which you want to create a shortcut. Windows displays a context menu. If you are using Windows 10, right-click on the option for which you want to create a shortcut, click More, then click Open File Location Windows displays the Windows Administrative Tools window for that option. Right-click on the option in the resulting list on the right side of the window to display a context menu.
  3. Choose Properties from the Context menu. Windows displays a Properties dialog box for that menu item.
  4. Make sure the Shortcut tab is displayed. (See Figure 1.)

    5. Figure 1. Assigning a shortcut key to a Start menu item.

  5. Click once within the Shortcut Key box.
  6. Press the letter or number you want to use for your shortcut key. Windows automatically adds "Ctrl+Alt+" to the beginning of the character you press. Thus, you would press D if you wanted your shortcut key to be Ctrl+Alt+D.
  7. Click OK.

The shortcut key should be immediately available. All you need to do is press whatever shortcut key you created.

If you later want to remove the shortcut key, follow the same steps but press the Delete key in step 6.

 This tip (11818) applies to Windows 7 and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Using Sticky Keys

Sticky Keys is an accessibility feature designed for people who have trouble holding down two or more keys ...

Discover More

Swapping Mouse Buttons for Left-Handed Users

By default, the mouse is configured such that the primary mouse button is the left one, and the secondary mouse button is ...

Discover More

Saving a Windows Search

Windows has a built-in search utility that allows you to search for strings inside of files. You can even save your ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Windows Run Commands

Run commands within Windows 10 allow for quick access to system resources. Here is a comprehensive list of the available ...

Discover More

Assigning a Shortcut Key to a Desktop Shortcut

Reducing the transitions between the keyboard and the mouse is a practice that can improve efficiency. Toward that end, ...

Discover More

Quick Ways to Get Back to Your Desktop

There may be times when you need to get back to your desktop by eliminating the "clutter" of all your open windows. ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 9?

2020-09-08 07:54:44

Ron S MVP

That works for "traditional", "real" applications.
.
What about the "new & improved" Win10 UWP <cr>applets. Things like Weather or the new "Office" tile?

2020-08-31 10:22:22

Bob Ama

Is there a way to see which shortcuts have already been mapped for the computer I'm on? Say, for example, that I share a computer with someone and I want to utilize (and also not overwrite) shortcuts that they've already created, but they're on holiday for the next week and so I can't ask them directly.

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.