How to Create an "Action Center" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8

   Information
This tutorial will show you how to create or download an Action Center shortcut that you can use or pin where you like Windows 7 and Windows 8.

   Note
Action Center is a central place to view alerts and take actions that can help keep Windows running smoothly.

Action Center lists important messages about security and maintenance settings that need your attention. Red items in Action Center are labeled Important, and indicate significant issues that should be addressed soon, such as an outdated antivirus program that needs updating. Yellow items are suggested tasks that you should consider addressing, like recommended maintenance tasks.


EXAMPLE: Action Center
Action Center Shortcut - Create-action_center.jpg

Action Center Shortcut - Create-windows_8_action_center.jpg




OPTION ONE

To Download an "Action Center" Shortcut

1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
Action_Center.zip
2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.

3. Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the Action Center shortcut to your desktop.

4. Unblock the Action Center shortcut.
Action Center Shortcut - Create-unblock.jpg
5. In Windows 7, you can now Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

6. In Windows 8 and 8.1, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip file if you like.





OPTION TWO

To Manually Create an "Action Center" Shortcut

1. Right click or press and hold on an empty area on your desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and past either command below into the location area, and click/tap on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL wscui.cpl

OR

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{BB64F8A7-BEE7-4E1A-AB8D-7D8273F7FDB6}
OR

%windir%\system32\control.exe /name Microsoft.ActionCenter

Action Center Shortcut - Create-step1.jpg
3. Type Action Center for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name this anything you would like though.
Action Center Shortcut - Create-step2.jpg
4. Right click or press and hold on the new Action Center shortcut, and click/tap on Properties.

5. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, then click/tap on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)
Action Center Shortcut - Create-action_center3.jpg
6. In the line under "Look for icons in this file", copy and paste the location below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
%windir%\System32\ActionCenterCPL.dll
Action Center Shortcut - Create-action_center4.jpg
7. Select the icon highlighted in blue above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: You can use any icon that you would like instead though.

8. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
Action Center Shortcut - Create-action_center5.jpg
9. In Windows 7, you can now Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

10. In Windows 8 and 8.1, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.
That's it,
Shawn