Why is the ampersand (&) needed in reg files?

Question

Windows

For example like this:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\run_something]
@="&Run Something"

Or even like this:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\git_shell]
@="Git Ba&sh Here"

Answer 1

To designate the letter to which the keyboard hotkey is attached.