How do I Open Apps and URLs With Keyboard Shortcuts Using PowerToys

What to know

• PowerToys now allows you to open apps and URLs with keyboard shortcuts using its Keyboard Manager utility.
• Configure shortcuts for apps from Keyboard Manager > Remap a shortcut > Add shortcut remapping > choose your Shortcut. Choose ‘Run program’ from ‘Action’, and enter the complete path to the app. 
• Configure shortcuts for URLs from ‘Remap shortcuts’ and choose ‘Open URL’ from Action.

PowerToys is among the higher utility instruments for Windows, designed to fill within the gaps left behind by the shortage of native choices on Windows. As per a brand new update, now you can open apps and URLs with a fast keyboard shortcut and customise all of it to your coronary heart’s content material. Here’s every thing it’s essential to know to get began.

How do I open apps using keyboard shortcuts with PowerToys

Before we start, make certain to put in the latest PowerToys model or update the app. Once completed, comply with the steps given under to assign shortcuts in your favourite apps:

1. Launch PowerToys and choose Keyboard Manager on the left. On the proper, toggle on Enable Keyboard Manager.
   
2. Then click on on Remap a shortcut beneath ‘Shortcuts’.
   
3. In the ‘Remap shortcuts’ window, click on on Add shortcut remapping.
   
4. Now, firstly, choose a keyboard shortcut. Click on Edit (pencil icon) next to Shortcut.
   
5. Press the shortcut combo that you just need to use. Then click on OK.
   
6. Next, click on on the drop-down menu next to Action and choose Run program.
   
7. Next to App, click on on Select Program.
   
8. Navigate to the executable file of this system, choose it, and click on Open.
   
   
9. Alternatively, navigate to the executable file of a program, right-click, and choose ‘Copy to path’.
   
10. And paste it into the ‘App’ subject. 
    
11. There are a couple of customizations, equivalent to arguments for packages, and beginning in a unique listing. Ideally, it’s higher to depart these clean until you need to specify them.
12. Next to Elevation, select from ‘Normal’, ‘Elevated’ (with administrator privileges), and ‘Different User’.
    
13. Next to If working, select from ‘Show window’, ‘Start another’, ‘Do nothing’, ‘Close’, and ‘End task’.
    
14. As for ‘Visibility’, it’s best to depart it set to ‘Normal’, until you need to hide it for privacy functions.
    
15. Finally, click on OK within the high proper nook.
    
16. Now, everytime you press the chosen shortcut mixture, your software will begin as per your configuration. 

How do I open URLs using keyboard shortcuts with PowerToys

The Keyboard Manager utility instrument inside PowerToys additionally allows you to open URLs with keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how to set these up:

1. Click on Remap a shortcut in ‘Keyboard Manager’.
   
2. Select Add shortcut mapping.
   
3. Next to ‘Shortcut’, click on on Edit.
   
   
4. Type your shortcut mixture and click on OK.
   
5. Click on the dropdown menu next to Action, and choose Open URLs.
   
6. Next to Path/URL, enter the URL of the web site that you just need to open with the shortcut. 
   
7. Click OK.
   
8. Now, everytime you press the shortcut mixture, the URL will open in your default browser.

And that’s how PowerToys allows you to open your favourite apps and URLs using keyboard shortcuts. We hope this information helped you get began with the up to date Keyboard Manager utility in PowerToys. Until next time!