30 Second Tech – How to Create a Custom Shortcut for Apps (Windows/Mac)

Why Create Custom Shortcuts for Your Apps?
Tired of clicking through multiple menus to open your favorite apps? Why not create custom shortcuts to streamline your workflow? Here’s how to set up custom shortcuts for apps on both Windows and Mac in under 30 seconds!

Windows:

1. Find the App: Go to the Start Menu and find the app you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Right-Click & Select ‘Open file location’: If this option is not available, you may need to select ‘More’ > ‘Open file location.’
3. Create Shortcut: In the file location window, right-click on the app’s icon and choose Create shortcut. A shortcut will appear in the same folder.
4. Move the Shortcut to Desktop: Drag and drop the newly created shortcut to your desktop.
5. Assign a Keyboard Shortcut: Right-click the shortcut on your desktop, select Properties, go to the Shortcut tab, and click on the Shortcut key field. Press the keys you want to use (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+S) and hit OK.

Mac:

1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Go to Keyboard Settings: Select Keyboard and then go to the Shortcuts tab.
3. Select ‘App Shortcuts’: Click App Shortcuts in the sidebar and then the + button to add a new shortcut.
4. Choose the App and Enter the Shortcut: Select the application for which you want to create the shortcut, enter the exact menu command you want to create a shortcut for, and then press the key combination you want to use.
5. Save and Use the Shortcut: Click Add to save. Your custom shortcut is now ready to use!

Tip: Use a combination of keys that you don’t use for other shortcuts to avoid conflicts. Any questions please leave a comment.