Complete guide to creating custom search shortcuts in Microsoft Edge

How to create custom search shortcuts in Edge? You may be a regular user of this browser and have wondered this, and we're going to tell you. Microsoft Edge has managed to position itself as one of the most robust and versatile web browsers today.. One of the main factors that explain this success lies in its customization capabilities. We know that each user browses differently: some seek speed, others maximum organization, and many desire an experience tailored to their own habits. In this sense, Custom search shortcuts and keyboard shortcuts are two essential tools for those who want to save time and optimize their daily browsing.

In this article, we'll dive into everything you need to know to create, manage, and take advantage of custom search and keyboard shortcuts in Edge. From the most basic concepts on configuring and managing these shortcuts, to recommendations on extensions like Shortkeys, to a comparison of the available customization options. We won't leave anything out: you'll discover how Edge, despite its relative youth compared to other browsers, offers features that can completely transform the way you interact with the web. Let's get started with how to create custom search shortcuts in Edge.

What are custom search shortcuts in Edge and why should you use them?

The Microsoft Edge address bar isn't just for typing URLs or keywords; you can enhance its usefulness by setting up custom search shortcuts. This means that instead of having to visit a specific page to search for information on a specific site, you can type a keyword (or shortcut) and, after pressing Tab, search directly on that website, saving time and clicks.

For example: if you set a “wiki” keyword To search on Wikipedia, just type wiki word to launch your search directly on Wikipedia. You can do the same with your favorite online store, video platform, or blog.

Among the benefits of creating this type of shortcuts are:

• Time saving: access specific searches without intermediate steps.
• Higher productivity: reduces mouse dependence and optimizes repetitive processes.
• Full customization: adapt the browser to your exact work or study routines.
• Centralized access: Use the address bar as a hub for all your favorite searches.

How these shortcuts work and how to create them in Edge

Edge comes with some shortcuts by default (like “work” or your organization name in enterprise environments), but you can add your own custom shortcuts in just a few minutes.There are two main ways to do this: from within Edge's internal settings, and if you're an administrator, from the Microsoft 365 admin center for corporate environments.

The operation is very intuitive: after defining a keyword, you just have to write it in the address bar, press Tab and type what you want to search for. Edge will then automatically redirect you to the website you selected, displaying the results of your search on that site.

Steps to create and manage custom shortcuts:

1. Open Edge and click on the three points in the upper right corner to access Configuration.
2. In the left side menu, select Privacy, search and services.
3. Scroll to Services and click Address bar and search.
4. Look for the option Manage search engines and click on it.
5. Here you'll see a list of search engines already configured. To add a new one, select Add.
6. Enter the following data:
   • Name The name you want to identify it with.
   • Keyword: This will be the word you use as a shortcut.
   • URL with %s: The search engine URL where “%s” is the term you are searching for. Example for Wikipedia: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/%s
7. Save the changes.

Done! You can now use your new custom search shortcut from the address bar.

Managing search shortcuts in enterprise environments

If you work in an organization that uses Microsoft 365, you have the ability to Manage shortcuts and keywords for all users from the Admin CenterThis is especially useful for companies that want to facilitate access to internal resources or corporate search engines.

Main steps in managed environments:

1. Accesses Microsoft 365 admin center and go to configurations.
2. Within Microsoft Search In the Bing shortcut, select Change.
3. Make sure the box Enable the Microsoft Search shortcut in Bing is selected to activate shortcuts.
4. Add one or two keywords according to your needs. You can add special characters or spaces.
5. Click on Save so that the changes apply to all users.

Important: Microsoft Edge may take up to two days to recognize new keywords added as shortcuts in an organization. Additionally, these shortcuts will only work in Edge and won't be replicated in other browsers like Chrome unless users manage them manually.

Frequently asked questions and common problems

Although setup is usually straightforward, sometimes problems or questions may arise. Here we answer some of the most common questions:

• The keywords don't work for me: Accede to edge://settings/search and make sure that the option Show search and site suggestions is enabled. Also, check that the URL format with “%s” is correct.
• Do only English keywords work? No. You can create keywords in any language, just add them in the corresponding field.
• Can I use these keywords outside of Edge (for example, in Windows Search)? No, only Edge supports this custom shortcut system through the address bar.
• Can similar shortcuts be added in Chrome? Yes, but you'll need to do this manually from Chrome's search engine settings, not from the Microsoft 365 admin center.

How to customize keyboard shortcuts in Edge

In addition to search shortcuts, Edge It provides the ability to customize keyboard shortcuts, especially in specific areas like DevTools. This feature is especially useful for advanced users, web developers, or those looking to fully customize the browser to their needs.

From the tab of Shortcuts In the Edge DevTools settings, you can:

• View the default shortcuts for different actions.
• Modify or redefine any shortcut to suit your preferences.
• You can even copy shortcut settings from Visual Studio Code to unify your experience.

Step-by-step guide to customizing shortcuts in DevTools:

1. Right-click on any web page and select To inspect or press Ctrl + Shift + I to open DevTools.
2. Access the menu Customize and control DevTools (three dots icon).
3. Press on Configuration (or directly F1).
4. Go to the tab Shortcuts.
5. Here you can modify or add new key combinations for the actions you use most.
6. You can also eliminate duplicate combinations and manage which action takes priority in case of conflict.

Remember that if you try to assign a shortcut that's already taken, Edge will prompt you to release it before reassigning it.

Main keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Edge

For those looking to boost their productivity, Edge keyboard shortcuts are a must-have. Many come from the Chromium ecosystem, so if you're coming from Chrome, they'll be familiar. Here are some of the most useful ones, categorized by usage area:

• Tab and Window Control:
  Ctrl + T (new tab), Ctrl + W (close tab), Ctrl + Shift + T (reopen closed tab), Ctrl + Shift + N (new window in incognito mode), among others.
• Bookmark management and navigation:
  Ctrl + D (add to favorites), Ctrl + Shift + B (show/hide favorites bar), Ctrl + H (open history).
• Search and address bar:
  Ctrl + L o Alt + D (select address bar), Ctrl + E (center cursor on the search bar).
• Advanced Features and Developer:
  F12 (open DevTools), Ctrl + Shift + I (devtools), F5 (reload page), Ctrl+Shift+Del (delete browsing data).

There's a long list of shortcuts, but it's best to memorize the ones that really fit your workflow. Over time, you will add new ones according to your needs.

Use extensions to take customization to the next level: Shortkeys

Want to go even further and create completely custom shortcuts? The Shortkeys extension is a fabulous resource for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. It's a free, open-source tool that allows you to create, edit, and export your own keyboard shortcuts in an extremely flexible way.

Main advantages of Shortkeys:

• full flexibility: assign any key combination to any browser action.
• Control over where shortcuts are applied: You can specify which pages will or will not work using full, partial, or wildcard domains.
• Convenient management: edit, delete, disable or export/import your shortcuts in JSON format.
• Compatibility: It works smoothly in Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Chrome) and also in Firefox.

Wondering how Shortkeys works? Here's a quick guide:

• Install the extension from your browser's official store.
• Access the Shortkeys settings panel and examine the default shortcuts.
• Press “Add” to create a new shortcut, entering the key combination, the desired action, and the locations where you want it to be activated.
• Save your changes and start using your new custom shortcuts.
• You can edit or delete any shortcut at any time, as well as export or import all your shortcuts for backup.

Shortkeys supports all types of combinations: with modifiers like Ctrl, Shift, Alt, and special keys (F1-F19, arrows, Enter, etc.), as well as letters, numbers, and more. You can choose whether the shortcut will work even when you're typing in a form, configuring the behavior in detail.

For more advanced users, Shortkeys even allows you to run JavaScript code snippets. This opens the door to automation and customization that goes far beyond what Edge allows out of the box. If you need to read more about shortkeys for Edge, we have this article with you. All the essential keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Edge.

Other ways to customize your Microsoft Edge experience

Edge isn't limited to search shortcuts and keyboard shortcuts. It offers a full range of options for customizing the browser's appearance and behavior.

• Change the appearance and theme: You can choose between light mode, dark mode, and a variety of custom themes, including those you can download from the Edge store. You can even apply themes with gaming motifs or vibrant colors to suit your taste.
• Organize the tabs: Annoyed by having too many horizontal tabs? Edge lets you switch between horizontal and vertical view, and also hides the title bar when using vertical tabs to save space.
• Customize the new tab page: Set up shortcuts to your favorite websites, reorganize or delete unused ones, add new ones, and decide how you want information to be displayed (including backgrounds, news, and content language).
• Manage your favorites: Add pages to your favorites bar or custom folders to keep your browsing organized and get the most out of your browser.
• Modify the toolbar: From home buttons, extensions, favorites, or quick actions, you can decide what appears and what doesn't to adapt the interface to what you actually use.
• Set page zoom: Adjust the size of elements on any web page to suit your needs, either globally or on a per-site basis.
• Manage extensions: Install add-ons from the Edge Store or the Chrome Web Store to greatly expand the browser's functionality, including those that change the layout or how you interact with pages.
• Customize fonts and context menus: Adjusts the browser's global font type and size, and decides which options appear in context menus that appear when you select text or right-click.

All of this is just a few clicks away in the menu. Configuration from Edge, in the section of Appearance o new tab pageDon't underestimate the impact a tidy toolbar or well-structured favorites can have on your daily life.

Best practices and recommendations for making the most of shortcuts and customization in Edge

To get the most out of your custom search shortcuts and keyboard shortcuts, follow a few simple guidelines:

• Use short, memorable keywords. That way, when you type them into the address bar, you won't have to think twice about which alias was correct.
• Organize your shortcuts by topic or frequency of use: For example, you can assign “yt” for YouTube, “gh” for GitHub, “tw” for Twitter, etc.
• Create a backup of your most important shortcuts, especially if you use extensions like Shortkeys or if you often experiment with settings.
• Regularly update and review your shortcuts and methodsIf you stop using a site, remove its shortcut to avoid future confusion.
• Remember that you can combine shortcuts created by Edge, shortcuts using extensions, and other shortcuts from your operating system for maximum efficiency.

Many users don't explore advanced customization options for fear of breaking something. Don't worry! Almost all features can be restored to their original state, and Microsoft support is quite comprehensive.

With everything we've seen, Microsoft Edge is positioned as a browser perfectly adaptable to the needs of individuals and professionals. Simply creating custom search shortcuts and shortcuts gives you the ability to design faster and more efficient workflows. Add to this the ability to install extensions like Shortkeys, and the range of options multiplies for those seeking maximum customization.

Whether you're a student, a remote worker, a web developer, or just someone who spends several hours a day browsing, having a dedicated browser can really make a difference. Don't hesitate to experiment, try new combinations, and explore the updates Microsoft releases for Edge, as they often include surprises and improvements that can take your productivity to the next level.

Take advantage of all the tools we've reviewed—from Edge's own settings menu to third-party extensions—to customize the browser exactly to your liking, and you'll see how your online experience changes for the better. Investing a few minutes in customizing Edge can save you hours of work and make your online routine much more convenient and faster. We hope you now know how to create custom search shortcuts in Edge.