How to create custom keyboard shortcut to open any application?

Step 1:
Make a shortcut for the application . Create the shortcut, right-click the program file and then click Create Shortcut to create one. If the shortcut is being made in the desktop, move it to a folder under ‘My Documents’.

Step 2:
Right-click the shortcut and click Properties.

Step 3:
Click the Shortcut tab and under that you will find Shortcut Key box.

Step 4:
If no keyboard shortcut is being assigned then it will display none. All shortcut keys are used in a combination with CTRL + ALT. So, select another key along with CTRL + ALT and click OK.

Step 5:
Now, you can use this keyboard shortcut to open that application when you are using the desktop or any other application.

This is applicable for both in Windows XP and Windows Vista.