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

There's now a simpler method:

1. Close Powertoys
2. Open within a text editor:

   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerToys Run\Settings\Plugins\Microsoft.Plugin.Program\ProgramPluginSettings.json
   

   
   
3. Add a program source to the content (UID is anything you want) → Save the file

   {
     "LastIndexTime": "2022-11-21T00:00:00+01:00",
     "ProgramSources": [
       {
         "Location": "C:\\Users\\{{username}}\\Documents\\Custom Shortcuts",
         "Name": "Custom Shortcuts",
         "Enabled": true,
         "UniqueIdentifier": "d379c7a9-bcfc-4edf-86b8-a256222558c2"
       }
     ],
     "DisabledProgramSources": [],
     "ProgramSuffixes": [
       "bat",
       "appref-ms",
       "exe",
       "lnk",
       "url"
     ],
     "EnableStartMenuSource": true,
     "EnableDesktopSource": true,
     "EnableRegistrySource": true,
     "EnablePathEnvironmentVariableSource": true,
     "MinScoreThreshold": 0.75
   }
   

   
   
4. Within the "Location" you specified in the file, add the .lnk files needed
5. Open PowerToys and the shortcuts should now appear:
   

Answer 2

You can:

1. Create a custom .lnk file with command needed

   • I made .lnk files with these two:
     vpn_on:

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

     vpn_ff:

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

     
     

2. Put these .lnk files to a directory like:

   %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
   

Answer 3

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 within the Windows Search Index by default:

  • %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
    

  • %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
    

If there are many custom shortcuts within a folder, you can instead add the folder to Indexing Options.