Windows 10: Add Custom Shortcuts to Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10

How to: Add Custom Shortcuts to Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10

How to Add Custom Shortcuts to Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10


The Win+X Quick Link menu is a pop-up menu from the Start button that includes shortcuts of common management, configuration, and other power user Windows tools.

This tutorial will show you how to add any custom shortcuts you want to the Win+X Quick Link menu for your account in Windows 10.


EXAMPLE: Default shortcuts and groups on Win+X Quick Link menu






Here's How:

1. Download the hashlnk_0.2.0.0.zip file by Rafael Rivera on GitHub.
Download
2. Unblock the hashlnk_0.2.0.0.zip file.

3. Extract (drag and drop) the hashlnk.exe file from the hashlnk_0.2.0.0.zip file, and save the hashlnk.exe file to where (ex: Desktop) you like.

4. Open File Explorer (Win+E).

5. Copy and paste %LocalAppdata%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter.

6. Open the Group1 (bottom), Group2 (middle), or Group3 (top) folder for the Win+X Quick Link menu group you want to add a shortcut to. (see screenshot below)

*tip If you would like to add more group(s) to the top of the Win+X menu, then you can create a new Group4, Group5, etc... folder to open and add shortcuts to.



7. Create a shortcut for any app or item (ex: "Registry Editor") you want in this Group1, Group2, Group3, etc... folder. Leave this File Explorer window open. (see screenshots below)

*note If you wanted to remove a shortcut from your Win+X Quick Link menu, you can just delete the shortcut from the Group1, Group2, Group3, etc... folder, and go to step 11.

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8. Open a command prompt.

9. Perform the following actions in the command prompt: (see screenshot below)
A) Copy and paste the full path wrapped in quotes of the hashlnk.exe file from step 3 into the command prompt.

B) Add a space after the path above.

C) Copy and paste the full path wrapped in quotes of the new shortcut from step 7 into the command prompt.

D) Press Enter.

For example: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\hashlnk.exe" "C:\Users\Brink\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group2\Registry Editor.lnk"




10. You can now close the command prompt and File Explorer if you like, and delete the hashlnk.exe file from step 3 if you like.

11. sign in to apply your changes to the Win+X Quick Link menu.

12. You can now open your Win+X Quick Link menu to see your new shortcut (ex: "Registry Editor") added. (see screenshot below)




That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Open Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Default Items on Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10
• How to Rename Shortcuts in Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10
• How to Add Win+X Classic Menu to context menu in Windows 10
• How to Show Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell on Win+X menu in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Control Panel and/or Settings on Win+X Menu in Windows 10
• Open Apps and Features from Win+X Menu to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10
• How to Open Power Options from Win+X Menu to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10
• How to Open System from Win+X Menu to Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10
• How to Change Network Connections in Win+X to Open from Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10

:)

 

Add Custom Shortcuts to Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10  

*Thumbs

*Arrow Rename Shortcuts in Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10 | Tutorials

 

Remove Default Items on Win+X Quick Link Menu

Hello realista87, *Smile

You can use the method in the tutorial below to add custom shortcuts to any of the 3 groups in the Win+X Quick Link menu.

*Arrow Add Custom Shortcuts to Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10 | Tutorials

 

Remove Default Items on Win+X Quick Link Menu

I haven't seen a way to add icons to items in the Win+X menu.

If you like, items in the Start menu All Apps list will have icons on its items.
Add or Remove Items for All Apps in Start menu in Windows 10

 

Add Custom Shortcuts to Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 10  

Hello realista87, *Smile

Shortcuts for the Win+X menu won't work unless they are hash files. The hashlink.exe file is a command tool that will make the shortcut a hash file.

The shortcuts need to be in the 1/2/3 group folders when you use the hashlink.exe file (command) on them, or they will not work or be in the Win+X menu.

 

Windows 10 commands/shortcuts/env. var.

I hate the fact that the control panel classic is missing from windows 10. My work around was simply to type in control panel in the start menu search bar and then pin the resulting control panel shortcut to the start menu quick access panel or taskbar

I think I'm unwilling to change with the times *Smile