Computer shortcuts can save you time.
As operating systems are improved over time, they keep adding useful features. One of these features in Windows 7 is the ability to create shortcut keys to programs you frequently use. Doing so allows you to open the program(s) by pressing certain keys on your keyboard instead of using your mouse. Before you can use a keyboard shortcut, however, you'll need to make a shortcut for the program in question.
Instructions
- Press the "Windows" key and "E" on your keyboard to open Windows Explorer.
- Navigate to the folder in which the program for which you want to create a shortcut resides.
- Right-click the folder and click "Create shortcut." A shortcut version of the file/folder will be saved in the same location as the original.
- Drag the shortcut to the Desktop or wherever you want it.
Create Keyboard Shortcut
- Right-click the shortcut you just created and click "Properties."
- Click to select the "Shortcut" tab.
- Click inside the Shortcut Key box and push the key combination on your keyboard that you want to use to open this program. "Ctrl" and "Alt" should be part of this combination. For example, you could try "Ctrl + Alt + L" to open the program.
- Click "OK" to finalize the shortcut using keyboard keys.
Tips & Warnings
Assign keys that tend to remind you of the program.
