On Home windows 11 (and 10), you should utilize PowerToys Run to launch nearly something, from apps to settings to folders and information. Nevertheless, you have to use a selected keyboard shortcut everytime you need to deliver up the instrument. However, it’s attainable to remap the shortcut to one of many left or proper Home windows keys in your keyboard to open Run as a substitute of the Begin menu, and on this information, I’ll present you the way I did this.
PowerToys Run is a utility within the PowerToys suite of utilities that brings a macOS Highlight Search-like expertise to Home windows 11 and 10. It permits you to rapidly launch apps, execute instructions, discover information and folders, and carry out many different duties. In different phrases, you should utilize this instrument to exchange the Begin menu, Home windows Search, and even the legacy Run command.
As I used to be configuring this utility on my pc, I used to be fascinated by the default keyboard shortcut (Alt + House) that you have to keep in mind to make use of to launch the expertise, after which I assumed I might map it to the “Home windows” key. This might not solely make it simpler to entry the launcher, however it might additionally remind me to make use of it. Nevertheless, within the PowerToys Run settings, it’s not attainable to assign the left or proper “Home windows” key, however you may remap the shortcut utilizing the PowerToys Keyboard Supervisor.
On this information, I’ll present you the steps to exchange the Begin menu (type of) with the PowerToys Run utility by remapping the “Home windows” key whether or not you will have a pc operating Home windows 11 and even Home windows 10.
Remap PowerToys Run shortcut to the Home windows brand key
To launch the Run instrument with the Home windows brand key, use these steps:
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Open Begin on Home windows.
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Seek for PowerToys and click on the highest end result to open the app.
Fast notice: You possibly can set up PowerToys on Home windows utilizing these directions. -
Click on on PowerToys Run from the left pane.
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Activate the “Allow PowerToys Run” toggle change.
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Click on on Keyboard Supervisor from the left pane.
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Activate the “Allow Keyboard Supervisor” toggle change.
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Click on the “Remap a key” setting.
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Click on the “Add key remapping” button.
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Click on the Choose button on the left.
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Press the left or proper Home windows brand key you need to assign to the Run utility.
Fast tip: I like to recommend utilizing the appropriate key for those who often use the “Home windows” key to carry out totally different actions, comparable to to open the Settings app. -
Click on the Choose button to the appropriate (To Ship).
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Press the “Alt” and “House” keys to seize the shortcut.
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Click on the OK button.
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Click on the OK button once more from the top-right.
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Click on the Proceed Anyway button (if relevant).
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(Optionally available) Proper-click the Taskbar and select the Taskbar settings possibility.
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Choose the Conceal possibility for the Search setting since you should utilize Run to look your pc.
When you full the steps, urgent the Home windows brand key on the keyboard will deliver up the PowerToys Run utility as a substitute of the Begin menu. Nevertheless, you’ll proceed to have the ability to entry the menu by clicking the “Begin” button within the Taskbar.
This information focuses on remapping the launcher shortcut to one of many brand keys on the keyboard, however listed below are some suggestions for utilizing the utility.
Should you remapped the shortcut, use the Home windows key to deliver up Run. You possibly can search nearly something within the utility, however for sure queries, you’ll have to use the obtainable plugins.
For instance, to seek for a setting, begin with the “$” character, press the spacebar key, and sort the setting question (for instance, $ Wi-Fi settings).
To look information and folders, begin with the “?” character, press the spacebar key, and sort the setting question (for instance, $ script).
As you open the Run interface, you will notice a listing of key phrases you should utilize to carry out a selected search.
You possibly can management these settings from the PowerToys Run settings web page, extra particularly, below the “Plugins” part.
Are you planning to exchange the Begin menu keyboard key with the fast launcher from PowerToys? Let me know within the feedback.
