How to Use Win + R as an App Launcher on Windows

Ralph Adolphs

Updated: July 9, 2026

• Why Win + R can work like an app launcher
• Create a Shortcuts folder and add it to Path
• Add app shortcuts, folders, websites, and scripts
• Conclusion

Many Windows users install launchers to open apps quickly. However, if your goal is simply to start a few common apps, project folders, websites, or command-line tools, Windows already has a lightweight option: the Run dialog. After a small setup, you can press Win + R, type a keyword such as zed, chrome, blog, or codex, and launch the target immediately.

Why Win + R can work like an app launcher

The Run dialog can open commands, executable files, shortcuts, and scripts that Windows can locate. The key idea is to make a dedicated folder for your custom launch shortcuts and add that folder to the Path environment variable. Once the folder is in Path, Windows can find items inside it when you type their names in the Run box.

For example, if you place a shortcut named zed.lnk in your custom folder, you can press Win + R, type zed, and press Enter to open Zed. The same idea can be used for Chrome, Windows Terminal, a project folder, or a batch script that starts a tool.

Create a Shortcuts folder and add it to Path

First, create a folder where you will store all your launcher shortcuts. A simple location is:

C:\Users\YourName\Shortcuts

If your Windows account name is Admin, the folder path may look like this:

C:\Users\Admin\Shortcuts

After creating the folder, add it to your user Path:

1. Open System Properties

Press Win + R, type the following command, and press Enter:

sysdm.cpl

2. Open Environment Variables

In the System Properties window, go to Advanced and click Environment Variables.

3. Edit the user Path variable

Under User variables, select Path, click Edit, then click New. Paste your Shortcuts folder path, such as:

C:\Users\Admin\Shortcuts

Click OK to save the changes. Do not create a new variable named Shortcuts unless you also add that variable to Path. For most users, adding the full folder path directly to the existing Path variable is the clearest method.

Add app shortcuts, folders, websites, and scripts

Now copy shortcuts into your custom folder and rename them to short keywords. Keep the names simple and easy to remember. Avoid spaces if possible.

Create a shortcut for an app

You can usually find app shortcuts from the desktop, the Start menu, or the Apps folder. To open the Apps folder, press Win + R and run:

shell:AppsFolder

Then create or copy the shortcut, move it into your Shortcuts folder, and rename it to a keyword such as obs, ps, term, or code.

Create a shortcut for a folder

Right-click a folder, choose Create shortcut, move the shortcut into your Shortcuts folder, and rename it. For example, a project folder shortcut named blog.lnk lets you open it by running blog.

Create a shortcut for a website

For a website, the most reliable method is to create a small batch file. For example, create a file named site.bat inside your Shortcuts folder and add:

@echo off
start https://www.example.com

After that, press Win + R, type site, and press Enter.

Create a script launcher for a command-line tool

If you use command-line tools, you can create batch files that open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and run the command. For example, to start Codex CLI in Windows Terminal, create codex.bat:

@echo off
wt powershell -NoExit -Command "codex"

If wt is not available, use PowerShell directly:

@echo off
start powershell -NoExit -Command "codex"

Troubleshooting tips

If a keyword does not work immediately, close and reopen the Run dialog. If it still does not work, restart File Explorer or restart Windows so the updated Path is loaded. Also make sure you added your folder to the existing Path variable, not to a separate variable that Windows does not search by default.

Conclusion

Win + R can be more than a simple Run box. With a custom Shortcuts folder added to the Windows Path, it becomes a clean, keyboard-driven launcher for apps, folders, websites, and scripts. You do not need a separate launcher if you only want a fast way to open your most-used tools with short keywords.