Who Knew Windows Could Do That?

Supersonic App Launches

Now that you've set up your document system, you'll also want to make it easier to work with your applications. Getting a program up and running, for example, should be no more trouble than grabbing a pencil (with only occasional sharpening required). Here are some ways to make such tasks as launching your programs just that simple.

Open a Document in the Application of Your Choice, Part 1

All Versions Double-clicking a file opens it in the application associated with its file type. But what if you don't always open a file in the same application? To customize the shortcut menu that appears when you right-click a file so that it includes multiple applications for each file type, open Explorer, and choose either View, Options or View, Folder Options in Windows 9x, or Tools, Folder Options in Windows 2000 and Me. Click the File Types tab and select your file type from the list. Click Edit (Windows 9x) or Advanced (Windows 2000 and Me). Select the New button below the Actions list and type a name for your new menu item, such as 'Open with Foobar.'

In the next box, type the path to your application; or click Browse, navigate to the folder where you installed the alternate application, select its program file, and click Open. Click OK and close the remaining dialog boxes. The next time you right-click that type of file, you can choose Open to get the default application, or use your new custom command to open the file in another program.

Open a Document, Part 2

Windows 2000, Me The tip above works fine in Windows 2000 and Me, but these versions of Windows also offer an easier way to add a choice of applications to a file type's shortcut menu. You only need to right-click a file and choose Open With. Select an application from the list, or click Other to browse for the right application. Then click OK. Now the file will open in the designated program, but the next time you do this and choose a different program, both programs will appear on a submenu of the context (right-click) menu. Right-click a document, select Open With, and choose one of your applications from the menu--or click Choose Program to add yet another app to this submenu (see Figure 8).

Open a Document, Part 3

All Versions If all you want to do is change the application that opens when you double-click a document icon, just hold down Shift as you right-click the document and then choose Open With (in Windows 95, 98, and 98 SE). In Windows 2000, you may need to choose Open With, Choose Program (see the previous tip). Then you either select an application from the list, or click Other to browse for the right one. Now click Open. In the Open With dialog box, be sure to check Always use this program to open this type of file and click OK.

Launch Shortcuts From Your Keyboard

All Versions If you have applications, files, or folders that you open and close frequently, make life easier by creating keyboard shortcuts for each. First, check " The Windows Key: A Fast Worker" to see if the keyboard shortcut you want already exists. If it doesn't, right-click the Start button and choose Open. Now open the Programs folder and click File, New, Folder. Name the new folder Keyboard Shortcuts. You don't have to put all the shortcut icons that have keyboard shortcuts in one place, but doing so makes it easier to change or delete them later. You can also make the keystrokes part of the shortcut name to serve as a reminder (see Figure 9).

In any case, you must put these shortcuts either on the desktop or in a folder within the Start Menu folder hierarchy. Drag the desired apps, files, or folders to the selected folder one at a time using the right mouse button, then choose Create Shortcut(s) Here. Right-click a shortcut icon and choose Properties. Choose the Shortcut tab and click inside the 'Shortcut key' box. Press your desired key combo, and click OK.

Make One-Key Keyboard Shortcuts

All Versions If you tried the previous tip, you may have discovered that Windows forces you to employ at least two modifier keys ( Ctrl, Alt, Shift) for many key combinations. To save on keystrokes, use a function key--one of the keys in the top row of your keyboard, numbered F1 through F12. You can use a function key alone or in combination with one or more modifier keys. Any combination you create will launch your shortcut and nothing else--even if another application tries to use those keys. You can also use the keys on your numeric keypad.