Setting a Custom Location for the Shortcuts Configuration File on Windows

By default, shortcuts.conf should be located in Harmony's etc subfolder, which can only be modified by users with administrator privileges. However, it is possible to specify a for shortcuts.conf in the USADB_CONFIG_FILE environment variable.

As a result, a user can place a shortcuts.conf file in their Documents folder and make Harmony read it, without requiring administrator privileges. Likewise, an administrator can place the shortcuts.conf file in a specific location that can be edited by any user, and set the environment variable to point to this file for all users.

  1. First, use a text editor (ie: Notepad) to create a shortcuts.conf configuration file in the preferred location—see Configuring the Shortcuts File on Windows.
  1. Open the Windows Control Panel:
    • On Windows 7: Open the Start menu and select All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Control Panel.
    • On Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows11: Open the Start menu and, in the programs list, select Windows System > Control Panel.
  1. Select User Accounts, then User Accounts again.
  2. In the left pane, select Change my environment variables.

  3. Under the User variables list, click on New.

    The New User Variable dialog appears.

  1. In the Variable Name field, type in USADB_CONFIG_FILE.

  2. Click on Browse File.

    An Open dialog appears.

  3. In the Open dialog, navigate to and select the shortcuts.conf file you created in the preferred location.
  4. In the New User Variable dialog, click on OK.

  5. In the Environment Variables dialog, click on OK.

    The next time you launch Harmony, it will use the parameters in the shortcuts.conf file in the custom location where you saved it.

  1. First, use a text editor (ie: Notepad) to create a shortcuts.conf configuration file in the preferred location—see Configuring the Shortcuts File on Windows.
  1. Open the Windows Control Panel:
    • On Windows 7: Open the Start menu and select All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Control Panel.
    • On Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows11: Open the Start menu and, in the programs list, select Windows System > Control Panel.
  1. Select System and Security > System.
  2. In the left pane, select Advanced system settings.
  3. Open the Advanced tab.
  4. Click on Environment Variables.

  5. Under the System variables list, click on New.

    The New System Variable dialog appears.

  1. In the Variable Name field, type in USADB_CONFIG_FILE.

  2. Click on Browse File.

    An Open dialog appears.

  3. In the Open dialog, navigate to and select the shortcuts.conf file you created in the preferred location.
  4. In the New System Variable dialog, click on OK.

  5. In the Environment Variables dialog, click on OK.

    The next time you launch Harmony, it will use the parameters in the shortcuts.conf file in the custom location where you saved it.