Since the Command Prompt is actually a
program, we can use its shortcut and Properties dialog box to illustrate
how shortcuts work. In the Properties dialog box, you can create a
keyboard shortcut for a program, find the executable file that is
referenced by the shortcut, or open the program in a compatibility box
(which is valuable for making older programs work inside Windows 8).
Many programs, particularly games and
utilities, may not work correctly in Windows 8. However, all is not
lost. If you open the Properties dialog box and click the Compatibility
tab, you can choose to run the program in emulation inside an older
version of Windows .
Click the Run Compatibility Troubleshooter button to get suggestions,
or select the Run This Program In Compatibility Mode For check box and
select the version of Windows from the drop-down menu. Other valuable
options alter runtime settings.
Use the Compatibility tab to run older programs that don’t work correctly in Windows 8.
Not all programs offer a compatibility box.
You may find that additional options and tabs appear in the Properties
dialog box for other programs as you install them. It’s worth poking
around here to learn more about the customizations that are possible.
To launch a program using a custom keystroke
1. Right-click the Command Prompt tile on the tile-based interface Start screen.
2. Click the Open File Location button 1 in the Apps bar.
The Open File Location button
3. Right-click the application shortcut and select Properties from the context menu .
Use the context menu to open an icon’s Properties dialog box.
4. Click the Shortcut
tab. Click in the Shortcut Key text box and enter a single key, such as
C. Windows creates the Ctrl+Alt+C keystroke shortcut for the Command
Prompt.
Tip
Click the Open File Location button
to locate the program file. Click the Change Icon button in the General
tab of the Properties dialog box to apply a custom icon to that
shortcut. You can also apply a shortcut to a file through its Properties
dialog box.
