PowerToys Run Shortcuts Guide

This guide covers how to create and configure custom shortcuts for use in PowerToys Run, allowing you to quickly access applications, scripts, and more.

1. Define a Folder for Shortcuts

To keep your shortcuts organized and accessible across devices, start by defining a dedicated folder.

• DirectoryOneDrive

  • Directorypowertoys-run

    • Directoryscripts

      • script1.ps1
    • Directoryicons

      • icon1.ico
      • icon2.ico
    • shortcut1
    • shortcut2
    • shortcut2Script1
    • shortcut2Url
    • …

Tip

Using a cloud service, like OneDrive, is recommended to sync shortcuts across devices.

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2. Create a Shortcut

2.1 Manually Create a Shortcut

Follow these steps to create a shortcut manually in the desired folder:

1. Right-click in the folder where you want to create the shortcut.
2. Select New > Shortcut.
3. Enter the target path (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\mspaint.exe).
4. Enter a name for the shortcut (e.g., Paint).
5. (Optional) Click Change Icon to select a custom icon.
6. Click Finish to save the shortcut.

Tip

To create a shortcut to a script, use the script path as the target and add the script execution command as an argument.

eg. C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -noexit -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File C:\Users\Name\OneDrive\powertoys-run\script.ps1

2.2 Create a Shortcut Using a Script

Alternatively, use the following PowerShell script to create shortcuts quickly. This script prompts for the target path, name, and optional icon location.

function Add-Shortcut {
    $targetPath = Read-Host "Enter the shortcut target path"
    $targetPath = $targetPath.Trim('"')
    if (-not $targetPath) {
        Write-Host "Target path is mandatory."
        return
    }

    $shortcutName = Read-Host "Enter the shortcut name"
    if (-not $shortcutName) {
        Write-Host "Shortcut name is mandatory."
        return
    }

    $iconLocation = Read-Host "Enter the icon location (optional)"
    $iconLocation = $iconLocation.Trim('"')

    $defaultLocation = Get-Location
    $useDefaultLocation = Read-Host "Current location is $defaultLocation. Is this location okay for saving the shortcut? (Y/n)"

    if ($useDefaultLocation -eq "Y" -or $useDefaultLocation -eq "") {
        $shortcutLocation = $defaultLocation
    } else {
        $shortcutLocation = Read-Host "Enter the location to save the shortcut"
        if (-not (Test-Path $shortcutLocation)) {
            Write-Host "Invalid location. Using default location."
            $shortcutLocation = $defaultLocation
        }
        $shortcutLocation = $shortcutLocation.Trim('"')
    }

    $WScriptShell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell

    $shortcut = $WScriptShell.CreateShortcut("$shortcutLocation\$shortcutName.lnk")
    $shortcut.TargetPath = $targetPath

    if ($iconLocation) {
        $shortcut.IconLocation = $iconLocation
    }

    $shortcut.Save()

    Write-Host "Shortcut created at $shortcutLocation\$shortcutName.lnk"
}

do {
    Write-Host "Shortcut Creator"
    Write-Host "================"
    Add-Shortcut
    $createAnother = Read-Host "Do you want to create another shortcut? (Y/n)"
    Write-Host ""
} while ($createAnother -eq "Y" -or $createAnother -eq "")

Tip

Store this script as a .ps1 file and create a shortcut to it. This allows you to access it quickly through PowerToys Run.

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3. Configure PowerToys Run to Access Shortcuts

To make your shortcuts accessible in PowerToys Run, you need to add the shortcut folder to the PowerToys configuration.

1. Locate the ProgramPluginSettings.json file in the PowerToys installation folder.

   This is typically found at %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerToys Run\Settings\Plugins\Microsoft.Plugin.Program\ProgramPluginSettings.json.

2. Open the file and add the folder path to the ProgramSources array, as shown below:

   {
       "Location": "{pathToShortcuts}",
       "Name": "PowerToys Links",
       "Enabled": true,
       "UniqueIdentifier": "{uniqueGUID}"
   }

   End result should look something like this

   {
       "LastIndexTime": "2022-12-23T00:00:00+01:00",
       "ProgramSources": [
           {
               "Location": "C:\\...\\OneDrive\\powertoys-run",
               "Name": "Powertoys links",
               "Enabled": true,
               "UniqueIdentifier": "94a47c69-cea3-4097-9a61-a4f8875c4210"
           }
       ],
       "DisabledProgramSources": [],
       "ProgramSuffixes": [
           "bat",
           "appref-ms",
           "exe",
           "lnk",
           "url"
       ],
       "RunCommandSuffixes": [
           "bat",
           "appref-ms",
           "exe",
           "lnk",
           "url",
           "cpl",
           "msc"
       ],
       "EnableStartMenuSource": true,
       "EnableDesktopSource": true,
       "EnableRegistrySource": true,
       "EnablePathEnvironmentVariableSource": true,
       "MinScoreThreshold": 0.75
   }

3. Restart PowerToys for the changes to take effect.

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With these steps, your custom shortcuts will now be available through PowerToys Run, allowing you to launch applications and scripts quickly and efficiently.