Get more from the Windows key with WinKey 2.8

The Windows key is well known for opening the Start Menu but apart from a few rarely discussed extra shortcuts it stays unused.

Winkey lets you select new shortcuts for keyboard combinations using the Windows key. It is most effective with Windows XP as later versions have more Windows key shortcuts but it still works with Vista and 7.

Installation is easy and there is a single main window in the software. This lists all of the shortcuts that have been set up and what they do. Adding a shortcut is very simple. Click on the Add button and fill out the form that appears.

This can get a little technical if you want to start a program as you will need to know where the program files are. It is probably simpler to link to the shortcut in the Start Menu. To do this, click on the icon to select a file for the shortcut. Click on My Computer, C:, Documents and Settings, your username and then Start Menu.

There are plenty of Windows key combinations that can be assigned, including adding the Ctrl or Shift keys. It is also possible to use the Function keys and others, including the arrow keys.

Please note that Winkey only works on 32-bit versions of Windows and is not under active development. We didn't come across any problems so this should not be a big problem.