Create A Shortcut To The Run Command
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Normally when you want to launch the Run command, you have to do so from the Start Menu. This is obviously not difficult or time consuming since it only takes a few clicks. However, you can speed up the process and reduce the number of clicks required to open the command by one or two by placing a shortcut on your desktop or Quick Launch toolbar.
To do so, click the Start Menu, click the Run command and while holding down your mouse button, drag it onto your desktop or onto the Quick Launch toolbar. I prefer to place the shortcut on the Quick Launch toolbar to avoid a cluttered desktop. In any case, a shortcut will now be available to launch the Run command.

9 Comments
Rob Keiser
December 6th, 2007
at 5:09am
Why not simply use the built in shortcut of the Windows key and the R key?
Rob
Ger
December 6th, 2007
at 7:19am
Shortcuts are nice and I appreciate them, but this one seems kind of silly since all you have to do to launch the run command is hold down the Windows key and press ‘R’.
Kevin Bailey
December 6th, 2007
at 7:58am
Or you could just use no clicks and press the “Windows” or “Start” button on any Windows keyboard (it is the one on the left side of the space bar between the Ctrl and Alt keys) and press the R key. Windows+R and the run command pops up ready to go. Seems easy to remember - R key for run and Windows key for Windows = Windows Run command.
Donald Nelson
December 6th, 2007
at 11:03am
As I recall, most Windows systems have a number of built in shortcuts. Some of the most useful are keyboard shortcuts. In this instance I find that using the “Windows Key - R” keyboard shortcut to be more convienient than creating a separate desktop shortcut link.
deepak
January 15th, 2008
at 1:08am
goood to learn
Roy
March 22nd, 2008
at 6:13am
would you be interested in how to create shortcuts words for the start run ?
i.e while running F it will run firefox. while running ol it will run outlook etc.
nm
July 2nd, 2008
at 9:26am
Not all keyboards have a windows key. The Thinkpad T43, for example, is missing a windows key. Very frustrating for those used to using the windows keys shortcuts such as Win+R.
parag gupta
August 13th, 2008
at 6:00am
Hey Roy,
I would like to know how to create shortcut words for start run?
Can you please tell me the method.
Regards,
Parag
em22
December 29th, 2008
at 12:35pm
Great tip.
For those of you saying why would you want this, so you can add it to menu bars, like rocket dock etc.