The hashlink.exe app no longer works to allow using this tutorial to add custom shortcuts to the Win+X menu.
The Win+X Quick Link menu (aka: Power User menu) is a pop-up menu from the Start button that includes shortcuts of common management, configuration, and other power user tools for Windows.
The shortcuts on the Win+X Quick Link menu are broken up into 3 groups. Group1 shortcuts in the bottom section, Group2 shortcuts in the middle section, and Group3 shortcuts in the top section.
Starting with Windows 11 build 22579, Windows Terminal and Windows Terminal (Admin) in the Win+X menu has been replaced by Windows PowerShell and Windows PowerShell (Admin). If you have Windows Terminal installed and would like Windows PowerShell to open in Windows Terminal, set Windows Terminal as your default terminal app.
This tutorial will show you how to add any custom shortcuts you want to the Win+X Quick Link menu for your account in Windows 11.
EXAMPLE: Default shortcuts on Win+X Quick Link menu
Here's How:
1 Download the free hashlnk_0.2.0.0.zip file created by Rafael Rivera on GitHub.
2 Unblock the hashlnk_0.2.0.0.zip file.
3 Extract (drag and drop) the hashlnk.exe file from the hashlnk_0.2.0.0.zip file, and save the hashlnk.exe file to where (ex: Desktop) you like.
This hashlnk.exe file will be used to apply the required hash to the new Win+X menu shortcut in step 9.
4 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
5 Copy and paste the location below you want into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter.
For current user only: %LocalAppdata%\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
OR
Applied to new users when created: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX
6 Open the Group1 (bottom), Group2 (middle), or Group3 (top) folder for the Win+X Quick Link menu group you want to add a shortcut to. (see screenshot below)
If you would like to add more group(s) to the top of the Win+X menu, then you can create a new Group4, Group5, etc... folder to open and add shortcuts to.
7 Create a shortcut for any app or item (ex: "Registry Editor") you want in this Group1, Group2, Group3, etc... folder. Leave this File Explorer window open. (see screenshots below)
If you wanted to remove a shortcut from your Win+X Quick Link menu, you can just delete the shortcut from the Group1, Group2, Group3, etc... folder, and go to step 11.
- Create Shortcuts to Open Pages in Settings in Windows 11
- Create Shortcuts to Open Control Panel Items in Windows 11
- List of Windows 11 CLSID Key (GUID) Shortcuts
- List of Windows 11 Shell Commands for Shell Folder Shortcuts
8 Open Windows Terminal, and select Command Prompt.
9 Perform the following actions in the command prompt to apply a hash to the new Win+X shortcut: (see screenshot below)
A) Copy and paste the full path wrapped in quotes of the hashlnk.exe file from step 3 into the command prompt.
B) Add a Space after the path above.
C) Copy and paste the full path wrapped in quotes of the new shortcut from step 7 into the command prompt.
D) Press Enter.
For example:
"C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\hashlnk.exe" "C:\Users\Brink\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group2\Registry Editor.lnk"
10 You can now close the command prompt and File Explorer if you like, and delete the hashlnk.exe file from step 3 if you like.
11 When finished adding shortcuts, restart the explorer process or sign out and sign in to apply your changes to the Win+X Quick Link menu.
12 You can now open the Win+X Quick Link menu to see your new shortcut (ex: "Registry Editor") added. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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