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This tip is about the how to Add Software Shortcuts to Windows 11’s Desktop. So read this free guide, How to Add Software Shortcuts to Windows 11’s Desktop step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us.
How to Add Software Shortcuts to Windows 11’s Desktop – Guide
You can add a commonly used program to the desktop context menu with a simple registry hack if you want extremely fast access to open it without having to install extra icons on your desktop. That’s how it’s done.
Of course, we’ve also covered the reverse scenario -how to clean up your cluttered Windows context menu, which is an equally valuable read if you’ve got a number of things to get rid of.
This method must be compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 and Vista. We don’t have an XP computer to test it on, but it probably won’t work.
Adding Applications to the Desktop Context Menu
For today’s lesson we will show you how to add Notepad to the menu, but you can add as many apps as you like. The first thing you’ll want to do is open up regedit.exe through the search box or run from the Start Menu, then navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Directory Background shell
The screen should look like this if you are in the right place.
Next, you want to create a new key under the shell key, whose name is exactly what it will show up from the desktop menu. Right click on the “shell” key and choose New Key from the menu.
Give the new key the name you want to show up from the desktop context menu. For this example, we will use Notepad.
Next, you will need to create the command key that will actually contain the command used to launch the application. Right-click on the new key in Notepad and choose New Key from the menu.
Give this key the name “command” in lowercase.
To complete this step, you will need the full path to the application you want to launch. You can use Shift + right click to get the Copy menu item as way to find it faster. Note: Of course, for Notepad you wouldn’t need the full path, but this is just an example.
Now click on “command” on the left side and then double click on the (Default) key on the right side to edit the string value.
Paste the full path to the executable obtained in the “Copy as path” step above, or you can add the full path yourself if you wish.
And right-clicking on the desktop will produce the new menu item… of course, using this menu item should start Notepad.
You can add as many applications as you like to the desktop context menu, just repeat the steps again with a new menu item name.
Final note
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