Create Shortcut Text for Web Sites in Internet Explorer

Provided by: Molly Pell, Technical Project Manager

By creating a registry key, you can add keyword shortcuts for those long or hard-to-remember web addresses. (Of course you can use the Favorites feature, but often I find it easier to remember a keyword than to dig through my Favorites list.)

Here’s how to add a keyword shortcut:

NOTE: Use extreme caution when modifying your registry as changing some values may affect your computer adversely. Prior to changing anything in your registry, you may want to consider making a backup of the registry first.

1. Open the registry editor by clicking on Start, Run, and typing "regedit" (without quotes).

2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\AboutURLs

3. Add a string value.

   • For the value name, enter the text that you want to use as the shortcut. No spaces are allowed in the name.

   • For the value data, enter the web site address.
     In the Internet Explorer address bar, type about:ShortcutText to go to the web site.

For example, add a string value named “tips” with value data http://www.fmsinc.com/free/tips.html:



Then in the Internet Explorer address bar, type “About:Tips,” and you are redirected to the web site:



 

Return to the tips page