Windows OS provides numerous keyboard shortcuts that work across applications, such as “Ctrl + C” for copying. However, only a handful of apps, like the Snipping Tool (“Windows + Shift + S”), can be launched directly with shortcuts. But what if you want to open apps like Word or Excel using custom shortcuts? While Windows includes a basic option to assign shortcut key combinations for app launches, you can expand this functionality with Microsoft PowerToys. This powerful tool allows you to create custom shortcuts for launching any installed app on your system effortlessly.
1. Assign Shortcut in App Properties
Let’s say, you want to launch Microsoft Word app with a shortcut.
- Open File Explorer, go to “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\” location and find WINWORD.EXE file. This is the file location of Microsoft Word app in Windows 11 (for Microsoft 365 version).
- Right-click on the application file and select “Show more options” menu.
- This will expand the context menu with additional options, go to “Send to” and select “Desktop (create shortcut)” menu. This will add Word app’s shortcut on your desktop.
- Go to Desktop, right-click on the Word app icon. Select “Properties” option to open “Word Properties” dialog box.
- Go to “Shortcut” tab and click inside “Shortcut key” box which is set as “None” by default. Press your key combination and you will see it appears in the box.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK” buttons to close the properties dialog box.
- Now, press the shortcut keys and Word app will launch automatically.
Limitations of Default Option
Though this method is easy to use, it has few limitations.
- It works only if the app has a shortcut icon on your desktop, so you will need to create a desktop shortcut for the app first.
- Alt key will be automatically included in your shortcut combination.
- There are possibilities that the entered key combination may conflict with existing shortcut.
If you do not want to keep app shortcuts on desktop, then follow the next method using Microsoft PowerToys app.
2. Installing Microsoft PowerToys
Open Microsoft Store app to search and install Microsoft PowerToys app. Alternatively, you can download the executable file from GitHub repository and manually install it on your computer.
This app is a packaged solution from Microsoft for many basic needs like color picker, Hosts file editing, image resizing, etc. Check the complete features of PowerToys app in our earlier article to understand how it can help you.
Assign Keyboard Shortcut for an App
The “Keyboard Manager” tool in PowerToys is helpful to remap a key and change its function. However, you can also use the same tool for assigning a keyboard shortcut for running a program.
- Launch PowerToys and go to “Keyboard Manager” section.
- Turn on “Enable Keyboard Manager” option.
- Click “Remap a shortcut” option to open it in a new window.
- Click on “+ Add shortcut remapping” button.
- You need to setup “Select:” and “To:” sections and map a key combination for launching an app.
- First, click on the pencil edit icon showing next to “Shortcut:” option under “Select:” section. Press the key combination you want to use a shortcut. For example, press and hold Alt and then press 1 key to use “Alt + 1” as your shortcut and click “OK” button.
- Under “To:” section, select “Run Program” option from “Action:” dropdown.
- Now, you need to select the app to assign the shortcut. For that, click on “Select program” button showing against “App:” text box. Browse through and locate the .exe file of the app that you want to use. For example, msedge.exe is a Microsoft Edge browser’s .exe file which is locate under “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application” folder.
- Leave “Args:” and “Start in:” options as empty and choose the “Elevation:” level as “Normal”.
- Select “Start another” option from “If running:” dropdown which will force the app to open a new instance if it is already running. This is useful if the app you selected is already in the Taskbar.
- Finally, choose the “Visibility:” as “Normal” and click on the “OK” button to finish the setup (leave the “Target app:” as blank”).
Now, press “Alt + 1” keys and Microsoft Edge app will open in a new window. In this way, you can assign keyboard shortcut for any app you like to launch. You can anytime open “Remap a shortcut” option in PowerToys Keyboard Manager section and change or delete the assigned shortcut keys.
Final Words
Now you know how to assign keyboard shortcuts to launch any app in Windows. Using PowerToys is highly recommended, as it allows you to manage unlimited shortcuts without relying on desktop icons. In addition, PowerToys offers a variety of additional tools that you can enable and use as needed.
