July 17, 2025

How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts Using CHERRY STREAM with Windows PowerToys

Post By pushkar all

The right keyboard can transform the way you work—and when it’s paired with intelligent software like Microsoft PowerToys, the result is a productivity powerhouse. If you’re using the CHERRY STREAM KEYBOARD and want to build a shortcut-rich, efficient Windows environment, this guide is for you.

Whether you’re looking to launch specific applications, automate repetitive actions, or remap inconvenient key combinations, you can turn your CHERRY STREAM into a custom command center using Windows PowerToys.

In this comprehensive blog, we’ll walk you through:

  • What makes CHERRY STREAM ideal for custom shortcuts

  • How to install and configure PowerToys

  • Using the Keyboard Manager module to remap or create shortcuts

  • Setting up system-wide or app-specific shortcuts

  • Advanced tips for productivity, ergonomics, and workflow

By the end of this guide, your keyboard will do more than just type—it will work for you.

Why Use CHERRY STREAM for Custom Shortcuts?

The CHERRY STREAM KEYBOARD is a wired, low-profile keyboard that delivers quiet, precise typing with a clean layout ideal for office and professional use. Its high build quality and fatigue-reducing key feel make it a reliable base for anyone looking to streamline work through custom inputs.

Key Advantages:

  • Full-size layout with clearly labeled keys

  • Soft, quiet scissor mechanism—great for extended use

  • Durable construction suitable for long-term productivity

  • Compatible with PowerToys, AutoHotKey, and other remapping tools

Pairing this keyboard with software-based shortcut customization gives you a tactile, low-latency platform for faster multitasking.

What Is Windows PowerToys?

PowerToys is a free, open-source utility suite from Microsoft that adds advanced customization features to Windows. It includes modules for window management, system search, screen measurement, and—most importantly for our purpose—keyboard customization.

Features We’ll Use:

  • Keyboard Manager: Remap keys and create custom shortcuts

  • PowerToys Run: Launch apps quickly from anywhere

  • FancyZones: Organize windows with custom layouts (optional bonus)

You can download PowerToys from GitHub or the Microsoft Store.

Step 1: Install Windows PowerToys

  1. Visit the official PowerToys page or search for it in the Microsoft Store.

  2. Download and install the latest version.

  3. Open PowerToys and grant administrative privileges when prompted.

  4. From the left pane, enable Keyboard Manager.

Step 2: Create a Simple Shortcut Using Keyboard Manager

Let’s say you want to create a shortcut that opens Microsoft Word when you press Ctrl + Alt + W.

How to Do It:

  1. Open PowerToys and click on Keyboard Manager.

  2. Click Remap a Shortcut.

  3. In the “Shortcut” column, enter the keys you want: Ctrl + Alt + W.

  4. In the “Mapped To” column, choose Type a shortcut > then select Launch application.

  5. Browse to the Microsoft Word executable (usually under C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX\WINWORD.EXE).

  6. Save and apply changes.

Now, pressing Ctrl + Alt + W will open Word instantly, no matter which app you’re using.

Step 3: Remap Physical Keys on the CHERRY STREAM

If you find yourself never using the Scroll Lock, Insert, or Pause/Break keys, why not put them to better use?

Example: Remap Insert Key to Open Notepad

  1. In Keyboard Manager, choose Remap a Key.

  2. Click + Add.

  3. In the “Physical Key” column, press Insert.

  4. In the “Mapped To” column, click Type Key, and choose Launch Application → Notepad path.

  5. Save and apply.

You’ve just turned an obsolete key into a useful shortcut.

Step 4: Create App-Specific Shortcuts

PowerToys lets you define custom shortcuts that only work in specific applications.

Example: In Excel, use Alt + E to run a macro

  1. Open Keyboard Manager > Remap a Shortcut.

  2. Under Target App, select the Excel executable.

  3. Set the original shortcut (Alt + E).

  4. Map it to an existing Excel function key or macro keystroke.

  5. Save.

This way, your custom shortcut won’t interfere with other apps—great for niche workflows.

Step 5: Launch Any File or Script with a Shortcut

You can also map shortcuts to batch files, PowerShell scripts, or PDFs.

Example: Open your project folder

  1. Create a shortcut .lnk to your folder or file.

  2. Store it somewhere like C:\Shortcuts\ProjectFolder.lnk.

  3. In PowerToys, map Ctrl + Alt + P to that shortcut.

Boom—instant access to your working directory, using your CHERRY STREAM and PowerToys alone.

Bonus: Pairing with PowerToys Run

PowerToys Run is a quick-launch tool (like macOS Spotlight) accessible via Alt + Space.

Set It Up:

  1. Enable PowerToys Run from the PowerToys dashboard.

  2. Press Alt + Space and type: “Word”, “Notepad”, or even the name of your custom script.

  3. Press Enter to open.

For frequent tasks, this offers even more flexibility than predefined shortcuts.

Suggested Shortcut Ideas for CHERRY STREAM Users

Shortcut Action
Ctrl + Alt + B Open Browser
Ctrl + Shift + M Mute/Unmute Microphone
Alt + Space Launch PowerToys Run
Insert Key Open Notepad
Ctrl + Alt + L Lock Screen
Scroll Lock Launch Calculator
Pause/Break Toggle Wi-Fi Settings
Ctrl + Alt + T Open Task Manager

These examples make your keyboard more than just an input tool—it becomes a personalized control panel for your PC.

Productivity Tips for CHERRY STREAM + PowerToys Setup

  • Label Custom Keys: Use small adhesive labels for newly mapped keys to avoid confusion.

  • Create Shortcut Profiles: Export settings via PowerToys config files and use them on other machines.

  • Use Ergonomic Combos: Avoid awkward hand positions; choose combos that match your dominant hand or workflow habits.

  • Combine with FancyZones: Assign shortcut keys to position windows instantly across monitors.

When to Use AutoHotKey Instead

While PowerToys handles most shortcut tasks, use AutoHotKey if you need:

  • Advanced automation

  • Text expansion (like typing full email signatures with a short key)

  • Mouse gestures

  • Multi-step macros

But for most users, PowerToys is safer, GUI-based, and integrates well with CHERRY STREAM.

 

Combining the hardware reliability of the CHERRY STREAM KEYBOARD with the software flexibility of Windows PowerToys creates an unmatched workspace customization experience.

In just a few steps, you can build a shortcut system that launches your apps, opens your folders, runs your macros, and more—all with quiet, comfortable keystrokes from a keyboard built for performance.

Whether you’re a developer, writer, data analyst, or everyday user, taking a few minutes to set up your CHERRY STREAM shortcuts can save you hours down the line.

FAQ

  1. Can I remap every key on the CHERRY STREAM?
     Yes, virtually every key can be remapped using PowerToys, though certain special function keys may have limited customization depending on firmware.
  2. Do my PowerToys shortcuts work across reboots?
     Yes, PowerToys remembers your mappings even after you shut down or restart your PC.
  3. Will this work with older versions of Windows?
     PowerToys is officially supported on Windows 10 and 11. Some features may be limited on earlier builds.
  4. Can I export and reuse my shortcut settings on another PC?
     Yes, PowerToys configurations can be copied from one system to another by transferring the settings file found in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\PowerToys.
  5. Does using PowerToys slow down my PC?
     No, PowerToys is lightweight and runs efficiently in the background without significant resource use.