I've been using AutoHotkey for a while now. It's made my computer much easier to use.
You can use it to do several things, including:
You can then edit the script by right clicking on the green H icon in the corner of the screen and selecting Edit This Script, saving the file, then clicking Reload This Script.
The Windows key is used for only a few things on a normal computer, such as Win+L to lock the screen. It's easy to add shortcuts for all your favorite programs, for example Win+F for Firefox, Win+I for iTunes, Win+N for Notepad, and so on.
Do this by adding a line like this
to your shortcuts.ahk file.
The # means the Windows key (labeled with either a Windows symbol or the word Start), i means the I key, and C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes is the command to run when Windows and i are pressed together.
Another trick is to start a program in a maximized window, e.g.
I use AutoHotkey to simulate the media buttons that some newer keyboards have, such as back, forward, pause, mute, and so on. I could buy a media keyboard, but I prefer a smaller keyboard that doesn't take up all my desk space.
You can either set it up to control the program in the foreground using something like:
or tell it to control iTunes (even if the current window is Windows Media Player) using something like:
I also use these to control the volume everywhere:
Since using Macs and Linux systems for a while, I find Ctrl+Q a more convenient shortcut to close the current program. A few Windows programs support this, but most of them use Alt+F4.
Adding this rule makes Ctrl+Q equivalent to Alt+F4.
I was trying out the Safari web browser, and it wasn't too bad, but the keyboard shortcut to change tabs is Ctrl+Shift+[. Firefox uses Ctrl+PageUp, which is more familiar and easier to press. Unfortunately, Safari doesn't let me change its keyboard shortcuts.
These rules check if the program is Safari then translate Ctrl+PageUp to Ctrl+Shift+[ and similarly for Ctrl+PageDown.
To find out the class id numbers, right click on the H icon, click on Spy, then click on the window you want to control.
You can use it to do several things, including:
- Starting common programs without the mouse
- Controlling your music and video programs
- Making Mac shortcuts like Ctrl+Q work everywhere
- Customizing application keyboard shortcuts
Installation
- Download and install AutoHotkey
- Create an empty file called shortcuts.ahk
- Create a shortcut to that file and put it in the Startup folder
You can then edit the script by right clicking on the green H icon in the corner of the screen and selecting Edit This Script, saving the file, then clicking Reload This Script.
Starting common programs
The Windows key is used for only a few things on a normal computer, such as Win+L to lock the screen. It's easy to add shortcuts for all your favorite programs, for example Win+F for Firefox, Win+I for iTunes, Win+N for Notepad, and so on.
Do this by adding a line like this
#i::Run C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes
to your shortcuts.ahk file.
The # means the Windows key (labeled with either a Windows symbol or the word Start), i means the I key, and C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes is the command to run when Windows and i are pressed together.
Another trick is to start a program in a maximized window, e.g.
#p::
Run C:\Program Files\PuTTY\PuTTY servername
WinWait, PuTTY
WinMaximize
return
Controlling your music and video programs
I use AutoHotkey to simulate the media buttons that some newer keyboards have, such as back, forward, pause, mute, and so on. I could buy a media keyboard, but I prefer a smaller keyboard that doesn't take up all my desk space.
You can either set it up to control the program in the foreground using something like:
#Left::Send {Media_Prev}
#Right::Send {Media_Next}
or tell it to control iTunes (even if the current window is Windows Media Player) using something like:
#Left::SendMessage, 0x319, 0, 0xC0000, , iTunes
#Right::SendMessage, 0x319, 0, 0xB0000, , iTunes
I also use these to control the volume everywhere:
#Up::Send {Volume_Up}
#Down::Send {Volume_Down}
#NumpadDot::Send {Volume_Mute}
#NumpadDel::Send {Volume_Mute}
Making Mac shortcuts like Ctrl+Q work everywhere
Since using Macs and Linux systems for a while, I find Ctrl+Q a more convenient shortcut to close the current program. A few Windows programs support this, but most of them use Alt+F4.
Adding this rule makes Ctrl+Q equivalent to Alt+F4.
^q::Send !{F4}
Customizing application keyboard shortcuts
I was trying out the Safari web browser, and it wasn't too bad, but the keyboard shortcut to change tabs is Ctrl+Shift+[. Firefox uses Ctrl+PageUp, which is more familiar and easier to press. Unfortunately, Safari doesn't let me change its keyboard shortcuts.
These rules check if the program is Safari then translate Ctrl+PageUp to Ctrl+Shift+[ and similarly for Ctrl+PageDown.
#ifWinActive ahk_class {1C03B488-D53B-4a81-97F8-754559640193}
^PgUp::Send ^+[
#ifWinActive ahk_class {1C03B488-D53B-4a81-97F8-754559640193}
^PgDn::Send ^+]
To find out the class id numbers, right click on the H icon, click on Spy, then click on the window you want to control.
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