In Windows, certain keyboard shortcuts (usually involving the Windows key) are set to launch certain applications. For example, WK + R will launch Run, before Windows 8 WK+S would open the Send to OneNote screenshot maker, in some versions of Microsoft Office WK+N would open Send to OneNote, etc. (WK = Windows Key)
Is there a way I can set my own such keyboard shortcuts to launch certain programs? (Exactly like this question, only for Windows 10.)
Pin your applications to the Windows 10 taskbar, and then you can access the first 10 on the left using:
WinKey+1,WinKey+2,WinKey+3...WinKey+0
No third-party software or other setup is required.
I have a little piece of paper adjusted under my main monitor, so I can see which key is for which application, because the number sits exactly below the icon in the taskbar.
If you're happy to use a Ctrl + Alt keys combination instead of the Windows key, you can easily create shortcuts to any program in the Start menu, without having to install any third-party program.
Just navigate to the program shortcut in the Start menu and right-click → Properties. Then click on the text box for Shortcut key. Next, press the keyboard key you want to use for the shortcut. (You can only specify key combinations using the Ctrl + Alt combination, e.g. Ctrl + Alt C.) Then click OK to save.
To start a program for which you've added a shortcut, hold down both Ctrl and Alt and then press the keyboard key for the character you specified, e.g. Ctrl + Alt + C.
This is described in the following webpage under 'Method 2.' If you want to create a link to an application instead ('Metro'/'Universal'/'Modern'), then use method 1 from the same page.
I am not using the Windows key, but after looking into this myself (in Windows 10) I am using the Caps Lock key as my own shortcut key.
Using AutoHotkey I have reassigned Caps Lock to mimic a control key, and then Control and Caps Lock to actually use Caps Lock. This means when I hit Caps Lock on its own nothing happens. AutoHotkey script:
;capslock = ctrl key, ctrl and capslock = capslock
Capslock::Control
+Capslock::Capslock
return
Now I have an abundance of combinations for shortcuts to use which are not used by other applications. Caps Lock and ..... you choose. Unlimited options of what you want this to trigger, either use AutoHotkey script or like I've done just trigger a .bat file.
The example that I use every morning when at work.
Capslock & A::
;open Outlook
run outlook
;log into network locations bat
run, C:\Users\motmi\Desktop\BATS\network-link.bat,,min
;open chrome
run chrome
return
