Create Shortcut Text for Web Sites in Internet Explorer

Provided by Molly Pell, Senior Systems Analyst

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.

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