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.
For a Windows 11 version of this tutorial, see:
Add Custom Shortcuts to Win+X Quick Link Menu in Windows 11
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.
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)
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)
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 Restart the explorer process or sign out and 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 Brink
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