I’m done with clicking apps to open in Windows. Here’s what I do instead | usagoldmines.com

I move around my Windows desktop very quickly, opening apps and windows with rapid speed, and because of that, I find pointing and clicking with a mouse far too slow. No, for my power-user pace, I need lots of keyboard shortcuts to open apps and folders—more than are set by default.

So, when there are no shortcuts to open apps, I create my own. Here’s how I do that:

Create your own app shortcuts

• Right-click on the desktop icon for the app or folder you want to set a shortcut to and select Properties.
• Now click in the field next to the words Shortcut key until your text prompt is blinking. Don’t try to delete the text None.
• Now type the key combination you want to become a shortcut to the app or folder — Ctrl+Alt are prefixes by default — and take note of what you selected.
• Click Apply, Continue, and OK to confirm your choice. Now, next time you want to open your app or folder, simply use your shortcut key.

Dominic Bayley / Foundry

And that’s all there is to creating shortcuts for your apps in Windows. If you want more simple tips like this that you can apply yourself in just two minutes of your time, be sure to subscribe to our PCWorld Try This newsletter.