here's how to add menu items in code. notice the ampersands. they denote Alt + the character after the ampersand = the shortcut.
the same system applies to menu items you add in the designer. when you set the text include the ampersands :

Code:
MenuStrip1.Items.Add("&File", Nothing, AddressOf clicked) 'keyboard shortcut = Alt+f
MenuStrip1.Items.Add("E&xit", Nothing, AddressOf clicked) 'keyboard shortcut = Alt+x