Windows 10: Shortcut keys assigned to Microsoft Office applications getting removed

I wonder if anyone could help with this issue I have been having for many months:


I use MS Office on a Windows 10 desktop, have previously used Office 2016 and recently upgraded to Office 2019.


I like to set up Shortcut Key sequences to open each piece of software - e.g. holding CTRL + ALT + E will open Excel, CTRL + ALT + W will open Word, and so on.


This is acheived by finding the the shortcut files (in my case, stored in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. I right-click the desired file and there is an option to set a Shortcut Keystroke sequence in there.


All works fine for a few days/weeks then all of a sudden all of the shortcut keystrokes have disappeared. The files are still there, but I have to right-click and retype in the key sequences again.


It has been going on for many months, and affected 2016 and 2019 versions.


The shortcut keystroke data for all MS Office applications disappear all at the same time. I have tested by setting similar shortcuts for other apps in the same folder (e.g. Adobe Photoshop) and none of these are ever affected/deleted.


Therefore the issue must lie with MS Office - perhaps when it performs a behind the scenes update, it decides to overwrite the shortcut files? Never had this issue in the distant past so I wonder if there is a way around it.


Many thanks indeed,


Mark



[Moved from: Office / Unknown/other / Windows 10 / Office 2019]




***Modified title from: Shortcut keys to open MS Office applications keep disappearing***

:)

 

Remove application shortcut keys after application has been uninstalled - Windows 10

In spite of the fact that a moderator moved this to the Office forum, it is actually a Windows problem. The shortcut keys are assigned to a Windows Shortcut, the application it is associated with is irrelevant.

The suggestion you ask the question in technet is a good idea. This problem is a little more technical than we usually deal with in Answers.

 

E71 shortcut keys and application shortcuts

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one long press = new e-mail message. But after a while, pressing the button causes nothing to happen.

I have read another thread about this and tried to assign different functions to the button but I end up with everything working for a while, then all the shortcut keys failing. So I reset everything to default.

I know that some people have suggested that having more than one e-mail account might cause this. I have deleted a second e-mail account but this has not helped.

Today I assigned a new application shortcut so that the first button was a new text message. Shortcut has never caused a problem before. Now, pressing this produces a flicker, and then nothing.

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John

 

Modify Microsoft Office Icons/Tiles


EDIT: only works for icons, not for tiles :/

Ok, I just found a way but it is not really straightforward. It consists in creating a shortcut toward a homonym application for each of the Microsoft Office programs, and then deleting the homonym application and renaming the real Microsoft Office program. If you create a shortcut directly to one of the program, you will not be able to modify the icon.

Step by step:
1. Go in Microsoft Office folder (C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15 for Windows 10 and Office 15)
2. Rename EXCEL.EXE in EXCEL2.EXE, or any other application whose icon you want to edit
3. Create a new text document (or whatever you like) on your desktop, and give it the initial name of the Office application you are working on (EXCEL.exe here)
4. Move the fake file into the Office folder
5. Create a shortcut toward the fake application on your desktop, and change shortcut icon (you will not be able to do it anymore after step 6)
6. Delete the fake file in the Office folder, and give the real Office program its original name
7. Pin your new shortcut to your Start menu