Updated December 27, 2022.
Did you know you can create keyboard macros in Windows 10? You can pin the Windows 10 app to the Start menu, and Taskbar, or create a shortcut on the desktop.
If the app is something you use on a daily basis in Windows 10, you want to open the app fast. That’s where keyboard macros come in. If you have a Windows 10 PC that lacks a touchscreen or don’t have access to a multi-button mouse, keyboard macros in Windows 10 is what you’ll want to use.
What are keyboard macros in Windows 10?
As noted by a Bing search, A macro in computing is a “single instruction that expands automatically into a set of instructions to perform a particular task.”
Thus, keyboard macros in Windows 10 are keyboard shortcuts that you type in to perform an action in Windows 10. Much like using Ctrl + C to copy, Ctrl + V to paste, and Ctrl + Z to undo, keyboard macros in Windows 10 are meant to save you time doing whatever you need to do.
Create keyboard macros in Windows 10
Let’s take a look a how to create a keyboard macro in Windows 10.
- 1. Open Command Prompt and run as administrator. Click Yes at the UAC (User Account Control) prompt
- 2. In Command Prompt, type (or cut and paste) the following:
explorer shell:AppsFolder
3. A folder will open displaying all your Windows 10 apps. It may be easier to find your app if you change the view setting to Detailed. Using Detailed will allow all your apps to be displayed in one column so your app is easier to find. - 4. Right-click on an app and select “Create shortcut.” In this example, I will create a keyboard macro for Arduino IDE.
- 5. You will see a prompt that says “Windows can’t create a shortcut here, would you like to create a shortcut on the desktop?” Click Yes.
- 6. Once you have completed this step, go to your Windows 10 desktop. Right-click the app shortcut and select Properties.
- 7. Change the Shortcut key. Here is where you create your keyboard macro. In Windows 10, a keyboard macro needs to start with CTRL + ALT + a letter and/or a number.
- 8. Click OK when finished.
Another thing to note is that any new software you install might also use keyboard macros in Windows 10 for other in-app functions. For example, when Photoshop Elements is open, Ctrl + Alt + I brings up the resize menu.
Try to remember not to use the same keyboard macro combination twice. Unfortunately, Windows 10 does not alert you if there’s a conflict with a different app that uses the same keyboard macro that you assigned for a different app.
