Computer Tutorial: Creating a Keyboard Shortcut
for Desktop Icons |
Creating a Keystroke Shortcut for a Desktop
Icon
This can be extremely beneficial for persons who have trouble using a mouse.
Whether it is a physical access issue or a visual issue, if placing a mouse
over an icon and then double left clicking causes the user problems, then
this could help greatly.
Example: If you use Word often, you can create a keyboard shortcut
of Control + Alt + W that automatically opens Word.
Instructions on how to create keyboard shortcuts are given below. Two sets
of instructions are included: for Keyboard
only users and for mouse users.
Keyboard User Instructions
You may perform this operation with any Shortcut icon.
In this tutorial we are using Internet Explorer.
Step 1
Go to the shortcut on the desktop that runs desired program.
Press Windows Key + D to put focus on the Desktop, then press the
I key until the Internet Explorer icon is highlighted.
It will be an icon that has a small arrow in the left corner to show
that it is a shortcut.
|
|
Step 2
If the Shortcut exists you may skip to Step 8.
If there is no Shortcut available for the program do the following:
Press the Windows Key to open the Start Menu.
The Windows Key is between the CTRL key and the ALT key.
|
 |
Step 3
On the Start Menu navigate to Programs.
Use the up or down arrow to move to Programs or
Press the P key to highlight Programs |
 |
Step 4
The Programs Menu will expand to the right.
Hit the I key until Internet Explorer is highlighted.iii |
|
Step 5
Now use the Application Key to open the sub-context menu.
The Application Key is on the right side of the Space Bar between
the ALT key and the CTRL key.
If you do not have a Windows keyboard, you may use Shift + F10 to
access the sub-context menu.
|
|
Step 6
Go to Send To -->
Use the down arrow or hit the N key
When Highlighted, hit Enter
|
|
Step 7
Go to Desktop (create shortcut)
Use the down arrow
When Highlighted, hit Enter
This puts the shortcut icon on the Desktop.
|
|
Step 8
Go to the shortcut on the desktop that runs desired program.
Press Windows Key + D to put focus on the Desktop, then press the
I key until the Internet Explorer icon is highlighted.
|
|
Step 9
Click on the Application key or Shift + F10
to get the sub-context menu
Go to Properties
Use down arrow…this will work slowly
Use up arrow…it gets you there quicker
or hit the R key…the fastest
Hit the Enter key
|
|
Step 10
In the Properties dialog box
hit Tab until you reach the box titled Shortcut key.
Type the letter that you wish to use in the Shortcut combination.
For this example we are using I for Internet.
When you hit the I key, it prints CNRL + ALT + I in the box. |
 |
Step 11
After typing I, the box will show
CTRL + ALT + I
Tab to Apply, hit Enter
Tab to OK, hit Enter
With the focus on the Desktop
(Windows key + D)
try out the CNTR + ALT + I combination to confirm that it opens Internet
Explorer. |
|
Top of Page
Mouse User Instructions
You may perform this operation with any Shortcut icon.
In this tutorial we are using Internet Explorer.
Step 1
Go to the shortcut on the desktop that runs desired program.
It will be an icon that has a small arrow in the left corner to show
that it is a shortcut.
|
|
Step 2
If the Shortcut exists you may skip to Step 6.
If there is no Shortcut available for the program do the following:
Start Menu >
Programs >
|
|
Step 3
Go to the program you desire
Right Click on the Program >
|
|
Step 4
Left click on Send To >
|
|
Step 5
Left Click on Desktop (Create Shortcut)
|
|
Step 6
Go to the shortcut on the desktop that runs desired program.
Right click on the icon to open the sub-context menu.
|
|
Step 7
This menu is frequently different because it lists the options for
that “particular” object that you have chosen.
But it typically will resemble the Menu to the right.
Left Click on Properties.
|
|
Step 8
This will open the Properties dialog box for the shortcut.
Left click in the box titled
Shortcuy key: None
|
|
Step 9
Type the letter that you wish to use in the Shortcut combination.
For this example we are using I for Internet.
When you hit the I key, it prints CNRL + ALT + I in the box.
|
|
Step 10
Left click on Apply,
Left click on OK.
Left click anywhere on the Desktop to place the focus on the Desktop.
try out the CNTR + ALT + I combination to confirm that it opens Internet
Explorer.
|
Top of Page
