How To Always Open Shortcut as Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10

information   Information
In Windows 10, you can set a shortcut to always run with a normal window, minimized, or maximized when you open the shortcut.

Setting Description
Normal window Shortcut always opens the same size as last closed.
Minimized Shortcut always opens minimized.
Maximized Shortcut always opens maximized (full screen).

This tutorial will show you how to set a shortcut to always run with a normal window, minimized, or maximized for your account in Windows 10.
Note   Note
This will not always work with all shortcuts.

CONTENTS:
  • Option One: To Always Open Shortcut as Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized from Desktop or File Explorer
  • Option Two: To Always Open Shortcut as Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized from Start Menu
  • Option Three: To Always Open Shortcut as Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized from Taskbar





OPTION ONE

To Always Open Shortcut as Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized from Desktop or File Explorer


1. Right click or press and hold on the shortcut (ex: "Notepad") on your desktop or in File Explorer, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut-1.png

2. Select Normal window (default), Minimized, or Maximized in the Run drop menu for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)

Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut-2.png Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut-3.png






OPTION TWO

To Always Open Shortcut as Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized from Start Menu


1. Open the Start menu ().

2. Right click or press and hold on an item (ex: "Notepad") pinned to Start (tile) or in All Apps, click/tap on More, and click/tap on Open file location. (see screenshot below)
Note   Note
This is not available for Store apps.
Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut_start_menu-1.jpg

3. Right click or press and hold on the shortcut (ex: "Notepad"), and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut_start_menu-2.jpg

4. Select Normal window (default), Minimized, or Maximized in the Run drop menu for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)

Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut-2.png Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut-3.png






OPTION THREE

To Always Open Shortcut as Normal window, Minimized, or Maximized from Taskbar


1. Right click or press and hold on an item (ex: "Notepad") pinned to taskbar to open its jump list.

2. Right click or press and hold on the shortcut (ex: "Notepad") in the jump list, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)
Note   Note
This is not available for Store apps.
Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut_taskbar.jpg

3. Select Normal window (default), Minimized, or Maximized in the Run drop menu for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)

Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut-2.png Always Open Shortcut as Normal, Minimized, or Maximized in Windows 10-run_shortcut-3.png


That's it,
Shawn