[GTO]

With so many software gurus onboard, I'm certain of a solution .

Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts for opening certain (frequently-accessed) files, folders & programs? Please share how.

Thanks in advance!

[shifu]

Originally Posted by GTO

With so many software gurus onboard, I'm certain of a solution .

Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts for opening certain (frequently-accessed) files, folders & programs? Please share how.

Thanks in advance!

Well, you could create a shortcut to your file/folder/pgrogram. And create a 'key combination' for launching that shortcut. Right click on the shortcut and update the 'shrortcut key' highlighted.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by shifu

Well, you could create a shortcut to your file/folder/pgrogram. And create a 'key combination' for launching that shortcut. Right click on the shortcut and update the 'shrortcut key' highlighted.

Many thanks Shifu! I just tried this on two files, and the shortcut combination does show up (as in your screengrab).

However, I'm now trying the combination, but nothing's happening. No file opening :(.

[GJ01]

Originally Posted by GTO

With so many software gurus onboard, I'm certain of a solution .

Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts for opening certain (frequently-accessed) files, folders & programs? Please share how.

Thanks in advance!

Yes you can. You can attach a KB shortcut to any link.

Right click on the shortcut --> Properties --> Shortcut Key. Type in any Alphabet and the Shortcut will be Cntl + Alt + <Alphabet / Number / Character>

[GJ01]

Originally Posted by GTO

However, I'm now trying the combination, but nothing's happening. No file opening :(.

What OS are you on ? Windows ? Which Version ?

What Shifu says should work fine.

[shifu]

Originally Posted by GTO

However, I'm now trying the combination, but nothing's happening. No file opening :(.

Ok. I guess it depends on where you have placed the shortcut. I have the programs/folders on desktop. And if I remove the files from the desktop, it doesn't work.

Can you try creating the shortcut on the desktop using the screenshot below. Once the shortcut is placed on the desktop, add a shortcut key combination to it.

This works for me, so should work for you. It makes the desktop quite messy though!

[GTO]

Originally Posted by GJ01

Yes you can. You can attach a KB shortcut to any link.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by GJ01

What OS are you on ? Windows ? Which Version ?

Windows 7, 64 bit.

Originally Posted by shifu

Ok. I guess it depends on where you have placed the shortcut. I have the programs/folders on desktop. And if I remove the files from the desktop, it doesn't work.

I pasted the shortcut on the desktop. Still doesn't work.

Ideally, I wouldn't want all my files & folders on the desktop as it'll look messy.

Any solution? Or any software that'll take care of this?

[Dennis]

You can try Launchy

How to Guide:
http://lifehacker.com/5963597/why-yo...thing-you-want

Official Website:
http://www.launchy.net/about.php

[hemanth.anand]

I had a folder in my D drive which I sent to the desktop (created shortcut)
I selected properties of that shortcut and assigned M (Cntrl+Alt+M) and a Keyboard shortcut
It worked flawlessly no matter what window or program was active.

I too don't like messy desktops.
So I went to desktop>Right click>View and unchecked the "show desktop icons" option.
All icons on the desktop will vanish and was clean, just the way i like it.
I again tested the keyboard shortcut and it worked nicely without any problems whatsoever

[shifu]

Originally Posted by GTO

I pasted the shortcut on the desktop. Still doesn't work.

Ideally, I wouldn't want all my files & folders on the desktop as it'll look messy.

Sirji, don't paste the shortcut on the desktop. Create a shortcut on the desktop like the way I showed before. Don't ask me what is the difference, I don't know .

And you can use Hemanth's suggestion below to keep your desktop spick and span.

[TheStranger]

GTO,

Since you were particular about keyboard shortcuts, shifu's suggestion is the best option from within Windows. However, in my experience, I found remembering the keyboard shortcut combinations a pain !!

If you opt for another software to do the job, Launchy as suggested by Dennis is a good free option.

For more eye-candy, you can also opt for Rocket Dock (free) or Objectdock (paid) to get individual folders on a dock system (ala Mac style)

https://rocketdock.com/

http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

[Nav-i-gator]

One easy cheat sheet:

Copy the address of the folder(s) from the address bar and paste it as link on sticky note/quick note on the desktop (MS one note functionality). it usually hides in the hidden icons bar at the right bottom corner when you close it after saving. Open the note by clicking once on the icon and click on the link to access.

[Grand Drive]

Please try this.

Create a new folder in "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windo ws\Start Menu\<new folder>"

Create a shortcut for the file you want and move the <created shortcut file> to the newly created folder. Right click on the <created shortcut file> and assign the shortcut key. Once assigned, restart your system. Log in now and 'Ctrl+ Alt+<Assigned shortcutkey>' opens your file.

If you want the same for Folders, create a shortcut for the folder. Now, move the <created shortcut file> to the newly created folder and assign a key for it. Restart. Log in now and 'Ctrl+ Alt+<Assigned shortcutkey>' opens your folder.

If you know scripting, try AutoHotkey.

[GJ01]

Originally Posted by GTO

Windows 7, 64 bit.
Or any software that'll take care of this?

Have you been able to get it sorted. I tom am on Win 7 / 64 B and have a folder in my D drive, for which I have placed a shortcut on the Desktop and assigned it Cntl + Alt + Z (closest key to Cntl and Alt keys) and it works perfectly fine.

Have you tried restarting the machine !! You never know the mysteries of MS Windows - Restating gets Windows out of the "Ghajini" mode and it starts working normally

Originally Posted by shifu

Sirji, don't paste the shortcut on the desktop. Create a shortcut on the desktop like the way I showed before.

Just to test what you said I created a shortcut of my folder in D drive, and then Cut + Pasted that link on the desktop and assigned it Cntl + Alt + A. And it works. I tried both Cntl + Alt + A and Cntl + Alt + Z and they both opened the folder. So I dont think it makes a difference if you create a Shortcut by choosing - Send to desktop option or creating a Shortcut and then Cut Pasting it on the Desktop

[RavenAvi]

What others have said.

If you don't want a desktop cluttered with shortcut files/icons, make a custom folder anywhere and drop them all into it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y55cg6Mbi_A