Ever since Windows 95, Windows has had a cool feature known as app paths. It allows end users to create their own commands to run anything. Throughout its long history, this little known feature never gained much popularity, probably because it was initially designed for developers to prevent them from adding their apps to the system path variable. Even in Windows 8.1, this feature still exists without any changes, and is still secretly hidden from the eyes of the average Windows user. In this article, we will look at what app paths are and how you can create your own aliases to tremendously boost your working efficiency.
Tag: shortcut
How to create a shortcut to open the Project pane in Windows 8.1
The Project feature (Win + P), which was introduced with Windows 7, is an amazing utility which allows you to share the screen between two monitors connected to your PC. When you connect an additional monitor, Windows automatically detects it and applies the video settings best suited to the monitor's display. With the Project pane in Windows 8.1, you can choose to mirror(duplicate) or extend your Desktop on all displays or or just use any one of them in exclusive mode. The Project pane is accessible by the Win + P shortcut, but if you prefer to work with the mouse, you can create a special shortcut for the Project pane in Windows 8.1 to open it with one click.
Create a shortcut to open Assigned access settings in Windows 8.1
Assigned Access is a feature of the brand new Windows 8.1 which implements a Kiosk mode for the selected user account. If you will create such Kiosk for the specified user account on your PC. That user will be forced to interact with a single full screen Modern app without the risk of compromising the system. If you have to access kiosk mode settings very often, you can create a shortcut to open Assigned Access settings in Windows 8.1 with one click. Let's see how it can be done.
Create a shortcut to open the Update history in Windows 8.1
The update history is a part of the Modern Control Panel which allows you to see the updates that were downloaded and applied to your current Windows 8.1 installation. If you have turned on automatic updates, Windows 8.1 will regularly download new patches and fixes from Microsoft servers.
If you would like to have quick access to the Update history, you can create a shortcut to open it directly with one click in Windows 8.1 and later. Just follow these simple instructions.
How to create a shortcut to open the Date and Time settings in Windows 8.1
Using the Modern Control Panel in Windows 8, you are able to change the date and time of your PC. The appropriate settings are located inside the PC Settings application, in the Time and Language -> Date and Time section. Using those settings, you can turn time synchronization on or off, change the time zone and date formats.
In Windows 8.1, you can additionally create a shortcut to open those settings directly. Let's see how it is possible to create a shortcut to open the Date and Time settings directly, with one click.
How to open Restore and Refresh recovery options with one click
Refresh your PC is a feature of Windows 8.1 which attempts to solve system problems by replacing system files without affecting user files. You might be asked to insert discs or recovery media that came with your PC. Check the info that came with your PC to see if your PC manufacturer provided these discs or media. In some cases, you might have created them when you first set up your PC. Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.
Remove everything and reinstall Windows is another recovery option shipped with Windows 8.1. It will completely reinstall your OS. All of your personal files will be deleted and your settings will be reset. All apps that you installed will be removed. Only apps that came with your PC will be reinstalled.
If you want to open Restore and Refresh recovery options with one click, here is the simple tutorial how to create the appropriate shortcut.
