If you are a power user, you will definitely love to have simple shortcuts to launch some regularly used Windows 10 settings. Some of these settings include, but are not limited to, WiFi, Bluetooth, Storage, Account settings, and Privacy settings. Here is how you can create your own custom shortcuts to different Windows 10 settings.
Create Custom System Shortcuts
To create custom shortcuts to different Windows 10 settings we are going to use the Windows Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs). URIs are nothing but a special kind of links that can be used to access different settings on your Windows system. This eliminates the need to click through several windows to reach a particular setting or window. There is a range of resource identifiers for different settings in both Windows 10 and 8. The good thing is that some of these URIs are applicable to both desktops and Windows mobile phones. To start, find the URI you want to create a shortcut for and copy it. You can find all the supported URIs on the above-linked page. In my case I copied the URI ms-settings:emailandaccounts which is related to Windows 10 Email and Account settings. Next, right-click on the desktop or in any folder of your choice and select the “New” option and then “Shortcut.”
The above action will open the “Create Shortcut” window. Here, enter the copied URI in the location field and click on the “Next” button.
In this window enter the name of your new shortcut and click on the “Finish” button.
You’ve successfully created your own shortcut for a Windows setting. Just double-click on the shortcut to open it.
Create Shortcuts in the Context Menu
Alternatively, you can also add these URIs to your right-click context menu. This enables you to access the target setting from anywhere on your system. To start, press “Win + R,” type regedit and press the Enter button.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: Right-click on the “Shell” key and then select the option “New -> Key.”
Name the newly created sub-key anything you want. This name appears on the right-click context menu, so name it appropriately. In my case, I’m naming it as “Ethernet Settings.”
Again, right-click on the newly created sub-key and select the “New” option and then “Key.”
Name this new sub-key as “command” and press the Enter button.
By default, the command sub-key already has its own default String value. Since we need to change the Value Data, double-click on the default string value.
The above action will open the Edit String window. Enter the URI related to your favorite setting as its Value Data in the format shown below. Click on the “OK” button to save the changes.
Just restart your system, and you will see a new option in your right-click context menu.
Do comment below sharing your thoughts and experiences about using the above methods to create quick shortcuts to different Windows 10 and 8 settings.
