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How can I reset a shortcut key (combo) in Windows 7

Anonymous
2021-01-24T20:51:06+00:00

WINDOWS 7

Problem Background:

Open the properties of a desktop shortcut (a .lnk object -I will call them links henceforth to avoid ambiguity) and assign an Shortcut Key to start the program.  Like <CTRL><SHIFT>S.

Time goes by and at some point you may uninstall that program or delete the desktop link (i.e. it can no longer be restored).

Then at some point you want to do the same thing, and open a different desktop link to assign <CTRL><SHIFT>S again, but you cannot, because it is still linked to the previous link, now lost.

This is a bug in Windows.  If I have <CTRL><SHIFT>S assigned to a link (and only that link) and then delete it, the Shortcut Key should be freed up.  But it's not. 

There must be some way to free up <CTRL><SHIFT>S again.  Does it have to be done via the registry?

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  1. LemP 74,800 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-01-25T18:29:23+00:00

    I haven't tested this myself, but see (especially post from Blorf):  https://superuser.com/questions/875556/how-to-reset-a-windows-applications-shortcut-key

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-01-26T09:55:43+00:00

    Tried the RJL Shortcut Key Explorer, but it doesn't list the "lost" ones.

    Script just put a bunch of errors in the .txt file.

    So... not solved.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-01-26T12:01:46+00:00

    Hi!

    I can try and help you with this. 

    From what I understand, you want to create a custom hotkey combination - please correct me if I'm wrong. 

    To do this, 

    First please have a look at this: WinHotKey | directedge.us

    The download link for this is: here Once downloaded to create a hotkey combination follow these steps: 

    1. Click “New Hotkey”.
    2. Type a small description about the hot key so that you can easily understand the property of the shortcut key from that.
    3. Choose the key combination.
    4. Choose the target job that you want to do by that hot key from the dropdown list. As for example if you want to open a folder then select “Open a folder”, if you want to open an application like calculator, MS Word etc then select “Launch an Application”.
    5. Put the location of the folder or the application by clicking on the “Browse” button.
    6. You can also configure the functionality of the hot key from the “Advanced” option.
    7. After setting the appropriate configuration click OK.

    Information was taken from: Create and Configure Your Own HotKey in Windows 7 (techtipsapp.com)

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-01-26T12:10:15+00:00

    Hi!

    I can try and help you with this. 

    From what I understand, you want to create a custom hotkey combination - please correct me if I'm wrong. 

    Did you read the original post?

    I want to assign a hotkey in a link, but cannot because it was assigned to a previous link that in no longer available.

    So I want to reset that key combo in windows so I can reassign it.

    I should not need 3rd party software to do this.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-01-26T12:16:47+00:00

    Ok, thanks for cearing that up. 

    What keys would you like to use and what would you like the hot key to do?

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