Quick Tip

048-2008

Use a keyboard shortcut to open a folder

 

Do you have a folder that you'd like to be able to open quickly and easily whenever you want? If you create a keyboard shortcut for that folder, you can open it anytime by pressing a key combination.

 

TIP:  To create a keyboard shortcut to open a folder

1.

Click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.

2.

In Windows Explorer (the program that appears when you open folders such as My Computer, My Documents, My Pictures, or My Music), right-click the folder to which you want instant access, click Send To, and then click Desktop.

Folder selected in My Documents folder, with Send To and then Desktop selected on right-click menu

3.

On your desktop, right-click the new shortcut, and then click Properties.

Shortcut selected, with Properties selected on right-click menu

4.

On the Shortcut tab, click in the Shortcut key box. Now press the letter on your keyboard that you want to use to open the folder.

Note: In the Shortcut key box, Microsoft Windows XP automatically adds CTRL+ALT before the key you press, because to use the shortcut to open a folder, you have to hold down both the CTRL and ALT keys simultaneously, while pressing the letter you chose. This way, your folder won't open every time you type that letter.

The Shortcut to My Pictures Properties page, with the shortcut key shown

5.

Click OK.

The Shortcut to My Pictures Properties page, with the OK button selected

6.

Now test your shortcut. Hold down the CTRL and ALT keys, and then press the letter you chose.

 

This tip can be applied to folders, programs, and text file shortcuts that are placed on the desktop.