WinKey

WinKey is a program that allows you to use the Windows button in conjunction with other keys to automatically bring up the below list. You can also add others that you might want. I have added all my programs and eliminated the need to have any icons on my desktop except the Recycle Bin. The following is a list of Standard Windows Key Shortcuts all accessed by holding the Windows Key with the listed key, just like Ctrl/Alt/Del.

It's easy to set this up and once it's done it saves so much time. These are some of the programs I have set up on my computer.

This is just a small sample of the programs I have available this way. I can jump also to folders on my computer this way and, although it takes some time to set up it is easy to do.

First open the Winkey program window. If you have shortcuts to your programs on your desk top, right click on one and select Properties. Otherwise, locate the program from your start menu list and right click to Create Shortcut. Then proceed in the same way.

You will see in the box titled "Target" the location of the file and it will be highlighted. Copy (Ctrl/C)and then go to Winkey.

Click on Add and then click on the Command Window and paste (Ctrl/V) the url there. In almost all cases the url will have quotation marks and they will have to be removed. I backspace to eliminate the one on the end and then hit "Home" and "Delete" to get rid of the beginning one. You will notice if there is an icon available it appears on the page. This shows the file has been located.

Then just select the key combinations you want to assign for this shortcut. You will notice that some of these are unavailable and these are the ones already assigned by Windows. If you try to use the same one twice it will ask you if you want to replace it.

Now you'll have a little cleaning up to do as well. Close the Properties window and delete the shortcuts you have either on your desktop or in the startup list. You won't need them anymore and if you decide you don't like WinKey you can always go back and "Create Shortcut", again.

To add shortcuts to folders on your computer, simply use the browse feature on the Add window. This is especially useful for folders you visit often or even main windows like My Documents and Program Files. Such a timesaver.

I'm sure you're thinking, "how do you keep track of them all?" I guess many of you use shortcut keys in PSP or Firefox. This is the same thing. I have a card next to my keyboard with all of them but, in no time, the ones you use frequently become automatic.

I wish Copernic had continued to support this program and that you could go on line and download it, but they decided to discontinue it as of July 14 and I have received permission from them to offer you the file. I've zipped it and you can download it here. I just viewed this page in IE and they were slow in bringing this up for download. Just try again, please.

I have just learned that Winkey is available for download at the PCWorld.com site. You may find this more convenient.

After unzipping, just put the folder in your program folder and set it up to open when you start your computer. In Windows XP, these are the instructions:
To start a program each time you start Windows, Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties. On the Start Menu tab, click Classic Start menu, and then click Customize. This changes the style of the Start menu. Click Advanced. In the Start Menu folder, find the shortcut to the program you want to start each time you start Windows, and drag it to the Startup folder located in the Programs folder.

I hope you decide to try this program and that you enjoy it as much as I have over the years. If you hear of anything comparable that is supported...and free...I would like to know about it. In the meantime, ENJOY.