Shorter shortcuts for explorer context menu entries?

Question

As I understand it, in order to select an entry in the context menu in windows explorer, you have to select the file, press shift + F10 to open the context menu, press the underlined shortcut, and then press enter.

I'd like to be able to just press some key combination (like Ctrl + Shift or Ctrl + Alt) and the underlined shortcut key.

Any way to do this?

EDIT:

What do I want to do? Well, I have all sorts of programs and utils that have context menu entries and that I use a lot (Notepad++, WinMerge, 7-Zip, Open Command Window Here utility). I already use an app launcher, so the problem isn't opening the programs. It's being able to automatically pass the path of the currently selected file to those programs. I figured, the context menu already does this, so maybe there's a way use it. Of course if there's some other way, that would be good, too.

Answer 1

Then Autohotkey is your new best friend. You program whatever hot key you like to do/launch whatever command or program you require. For example '#z::Run www.autohotkey.com' means when you press the windows key and Z together, it will run autohotkey's website. Or

^!n::
IfWinExist Untitled - Notepad
    WinActivate
else
    Run Notepad
return

means when you press CTRL+ALT+N it checks to see if you already have an unsaved/new notepad window open and brings it to the foreground. If you do not have one already open the key presses will open a new notepad window for you.

It has a very shallow learning curve with alot of good tutorials and examples to follow.

N I don't work for them :) but I do love the product, and I hope it helps you as much as it did me!

Answer 2

I generally just use the "context menu" key, at the lower right of the keyboard (typically between the Alt and Ctrl keys. That simulates right-clicking on the selected file. Once the context menu appears it's business as usual.

If there are particular actions for which you're looking for a shortcut key, update your question with them and we'll see if we can suggest something more specific. For example, the Delete key will delete the selected file; the F2 key will rename it; Alt+Enter will bring up its properties.