How to Set a Keyboard Shortcut to Open Folder on Windows 11?

On Windows 11 OS, there is a massive list of keyboard shortcuts for different actions, but there is no direct way to do the same for a folder. Therefore, for those who want to open a folder using an assigned hotkey or shortcut quickly, the options covered in this risewindows post will be helpful to you.

To open it, you don’t have to go to the folder location, again and again, pin it to the Start menu, Quick access, etc. Just a keyboard shortcut will let you open your folder from any location. Whether using the Start menu, File Explorer, browser, or working with an application, when you need to access your folder, press the hotkey, and it will open that folder.

This risewindows post will show you how to open a folder with a keyboard shortcut on Windows 11/10.

How do Custom Keyboard Shortcuts work on Windows 11?

You will need to create a desktop shortcut for your specific folder to make a keyboard shortcut so that you can assign that desktop shortcut a keyboard shortcut. Next time, when that assigned keyboard shortcut is pressed, your preferred folder opens in File Explorer. This way, you don’t need to dive into local drives and find your preferred folder to open.

If you want to open several folders with a keyboard shortcut, you’ll need to create desktop shortcuts for all those folders. Then put those desktop shortcuts in a folder on the desktop. This way, your desktop doesn’t get cluttered with many folder shortcuts.

How to Compose a Keyboard Shortcut to Open a Folder on Windows 11?

Step 1. Firstly, navigate to File Explorer and find the folder for that you want to make a keyboard shortcut.

Step 2. Now, right-click on the folder and select Show more options.

Step 3. Then, select Send To > Desktop (create shortcut) in the following menu.

Step 4. After that, access the Desktop (shortcut keys Windows + D) and find your folder’s shortcut. Then right-click on the folder shortcut and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.

Step 5. So, in the Properties dialog, select the Shortcut tab. After that, click on the Shortcut key field in the Shortcut tab. Then, press any key from the keyboard (A to Z and 1 to 0).

Windows will automatically add Ctrl + Alt in the keyboard shortcut.

Step 6. Next, click the Apply button at the bottom.

Step 7. At last, click on the OK button to exit.

That’s it.

If you want to open your preferred folder, press the key combination you have assigned.

Good luck & Keep growing with risewindows posts, guys.!!!