How to add custom shortcuts to the PowerToys Run utility?

Question

PowerToys Run utility makes a really great job enabling me to search and quickly open apps or folders.

However, is there a way to make my own custom shorcuts for apps/files/folders that I will use a lot, with shortened names/commands? I would like to give it a folder with shortcuts like this, for example:

So that I could open Notepad++ like this:

Or would you rather suggest some other program to make this? Thanks!

Answer 1

You can 1.

create custom .lnk file, with command you need. for example, I made .lnk files with these two:

C:\Windows\System32\rasdial.exe "vpn name" as vpn_on

and

C:\Windows\System32\rasdial.exe "vpn name" /disconnect as vpn_ff

2. Put these .lnk files to your Start directory, like a:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

and that's it.

Answer 2

As long as the shortcuts are placed in an indexed location, PowerRun should be able to display them. For instance, the following folders are included in Windows Search Index by default:

• C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
• C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

If you have many custom shortcuts in a folder, you can instead add (include) the folder to Indexing Options.