A curated list of awesome AutoHotkey libraries, library distributions, scripts, tools and resources. Inspired by the other awesome lists. Please read CONTRIBUTING.md before contributing.

Out-of-date or discontinued, but nonetheless historically relevant items can be found on Historical.md

Development state:

• Libraries
• Scripts
• Tools
• Tutorials
• Resources
• Forks

Libraries

List of useful AutoHotkey libraries. Library is code that has some reusable functionality that can be combined with your own code in order to create new functionality.

Clipboard

• WinClip - by Deo - WinClip is a clipboard manipulation class extending AutoHotkey's clipboard capabilities including support for RTF, HTML and images. Forum thread: link.

Console

• AHKonsole - by G33kdude - Class based AutoHotkey library for console support. This library enables you to create an object representing a console to interact with, as well as multiple console buffer objects to facilitate in double buffering. Forum thread: link.
• LibCon - by joedf - AutoHotkey Library For Console Support. This library enables you to write console applications and interact with other console instances. Basically, this library facilitates anything that has to do with writing and interacting with consoles. Forum thread: link.

Data format

• AHK_ctable - by hoppfrosch - Library to handle strings in tabular format - Forum thread: link.
• AutoHotkey-JSON - by cocobelgica - JSON lib for AutoHotkey. Forum thread: link.
• CSV - by trueski/kdoske - Library to work with CSV files and Listview functions. Forum thread: link.
• List manipulation functions - by Laszlo - Function library to manipulate comma delimited lists. Forum thread: link.
• ObjCSV - by JnLlnd - Library to load/save CSV files to Objects and and Listview functions. Forum thread: link.
• ObjDump/ObjLoad - by HotKeyIt - Serialize/deserialize object to/from variable/memory.
• SerDes - by cocobelgica - Serialize / de-serialize an AutoHotkey object structure. Forum thread: link.
• Table - by VxE - Library to manipulate strings in tabular (TSV) format and Listview functions. Forum thread: link.
• XA - by trueski/hi5 - Serialize/deserialize array to/from XML. Forum thread: link.

Data Structures and Algorithms

• Facade - by Shambles - A Set of Functional Programming Libraries. - Forum thread: link
• HashTable - by Shambles - A Hash Table Implementation for AutoHotkey.
• LibCrypt - by different authors - A collection of crypting and encoding functions.
• Type_Checking - by Shambles - Type Checking for AutoHotkey - Forum thread: link

Database

• ahkDBA - by IsNull - An OOP-SQL database access framework. Forum thread: link.
• Class_SQLiteDB - by just Me - AHK SQLite API wrapper class. Forum thread: link.

Filesystem

• FileGetProperties - by kon - Functions for retrieving extended file properties.

Graphics

• GDIp - by tic - Full featured library that helps in interaction with Microsoft's gdiplus.dll - Forum thread: link.
• AHKv2-GDIP - Update of the above GDI+ library compatiable with both AHK v1.1 and AHK v2 - Forum thread: link.
• GDIp_ImageSearch - by tic - Library using gdiplus.dll for searching image instances on the screen. See the end of that thread for MasterFocus' improved version, or see his GitHub repo here
• Simple GDI class - by GeekDude - A class aiming to make using low-level GDI functions simple.
• Particle System - by tidbit - A simple class to add particles to your GUI or onto your screen, using GDI+. Forum thread: link.

GUI

Combobox

• CbAutoComplete - by Pulover - Auto-completes typed values in an AHK ComboBox. Forum thread: link

Custom Controls

• Rebar - by Pulover - AHK class for AutoHotkey Rebar custom controls. Forum thread: link
• Toolbar - by Pulover - AHK Class for AutoHotkey Toolbar custom controls. Forum thread: link

Edit

• Edit v2.0 - by jballi - Library for the lightweight and surprisingly powerful default Edit control for displaying and editing text. Forum thread: link

General

• AutoXYWH - by tmplinshi - Move and resize controls automatically when a GUI is resized.
• TaskDialog - by just Me - enhanced MsgBox for Win Vista+ - link
• OnWin - by cocobelgica - Call function on window event (WinWaitXXX async). Forum thread: link
• CGUI - by ChrisS85 - An object-oriented GUI library for AutoHotkey. Forum thread: link
• Class_ScrollGUI - by just me - Creates a scrollable GUI as a parent for AHK GUI windows. Forum thread: link

ListBox

• LBEX - by just me - a collection of utility functions for ListBoxes.. Forum thread: link
• TransparentListBox - by just Me - Provides transparent listbox controls for AHK GUIs.. Forum thread: link

ListView

• LV_Colors - by just Me - Individual background and/or text colours for a GUI ListView's cells or rows. Forum thread: link
• LV_EX - by just me - Some additional functions for AHK GUI ListView controls. Forum thread: link
• LV_InCellEdit - by just Me - In-cell editing for ListView controls. Forum thread: link
• LV_Rows - by Pulover - Additional functions for AHK ListView controls. Forum thread: link

Menu

• [Lib] Menu - by just me - Some functions related to AHK menus. Forum thread: link

Hotkeys

• CHotkeyControl - by evilC - Replacement for AHK hotkey GuiControl that supports mouse buttons etc (Partially mature).
• HParse - by Avi - Function to convert meaningful shortcuts (Ctrl+X) to AutoHotkey syntax (^x).

Joystick

• CvJoyInterface - by evilC - Control a vJoy virtual joystick using AHK.
• JoystickWrapper - by evilC - Full event-based, 8 axis, 128 button, 4 POV joystick reading (C# DLL, Uses Lexikos' CLR).
• XInput - by Lexikos - Read XBOX gamepads using XInput (Only way to independently read L/R triggers), control rumble motors.

Maths

• calc() - math expression evaluation incl brackets.
• Eval - by Pulover - Evaluate expressions in strings. Forum thread: link
• Scientific Maths - by Avi - Library facilitating high precision mathematics.
• Time() - by HotkeyIt - Count Days, hours, minutes, seconds between dates. Forum thread: link

Memory

• classMemory - by RHCP (Kalamity) - An AHK memory reading/writing class with pattern scans. Forum thread: link

Networking

• AHKhttp - Basic HTTP Server. Forum link
• AHKsock - by TheGood - Function based sockets library. Supports TCP. Forum link
• Socket Class (überarbeitet) - by Bentschi - Class based sockets library. Supports TCP and UDP.
• Socket.ahk - by GeekDude - Socket library based on Bentschi's - Forum link
• WebSocket.ahk - by GeekDude - Class based WebSocket library - Forum link
• WinSCP.ahk - by Lipkau - Lib allows the use of WinSCP in AHK

Plotting (graphs, bars, charts and etc)

• BarChart - by Learning One - Library for making bar charts. Download link.
• Excel Charts - by Xx7 - Library for creating a graph in Excel, save the graph as an image and display it in a GUI.
• XGraph - by SKAN - Function library for graphically plotting real time data.
• SVGraph - by CapnOdin - SVGraph bringing graphing and charting to AutoHotkey. Forum link
• gdiChartLib - by nnnik - a gdip chart lib for autohotkey. Forum link

System

• RunAsTask - by SKAN - Auto-elevates script without UAC prompt.
• Vista Audio Control Functions - by Lexikos - Provides alternatives to some SoundSet/SoundGet subcommands, as well as some additional features that SoundSet/SoundGet do not support. Forum thread: Link

Text manipulation

• String Things - by tidbit - Stand-alone string manipulation functions.
• TF - by hi5 - Functions for manipulation of text files such as *.txt, *.ahk, *.html, *.css etc and Strings (or variables). Forum thread: link.

Library Distributions

List of useful AutoHotkey library distributions. Library Distribution is a system that is made for distributing libraries.

• ahk-libs - Ryan Shipp's collection of libraries.
• ASPDM - package/stdlib distribution and management from the ahkscript folks. Trello link.
• pAHKlight - Your Lightweight Guide to AutoHotkey libraries, classes, functions and tools.

Scripts

List of useful AutoHotkey scripts. Script is code that is intended to be used as standalone programs, and is not meant to be integrated with other code.

Clipboard

• CL3 - A clipboard manager (text only) with plugins (Search, predefined Slots, ClipChain, FIFO, Editor and more). Forum thread link.
• Clipjump - is a Multiple-Clipboard management utility for Windows. Source code: GitHub. Forum threads: link 1, link 2.

Filesystem

• Belvedere - sets up rules for taking actions on files (move, copy, delete, etc) based on the name of a file, its extension, size, age, and more. More info link.

Graphics

• Fun with GDIPlus - Interesting GDI+ examples.

GUI

• Examples of Non-Standard GUIs (ActiveX, GDI, etc.) - Examples of GUIs using non-standard methods to produce beautiful user interfaces.

Maths

• Monster - evaluate math expressions in strings (calculator).
• Unit Converter - unit converter that has most common English and scientific units and most common quantities from length to density to thermal conductivity. Also includes a section for physical and mathematic constants.

Mouse

• EitherMouse - Multiple mice, individual settings, auto swap mouse buttons on second mouse. Forum thread: link.
• MouseGestureL - Control applications by mouse gestures. Gestures and actions can be defined via customizable interface. Documentation in English and Japanese - Japanese Homepage link
• Radial Menu - Powerful hotkey, launcher, mouse gestures system, and much more (skinable) - Forum thread: link

Typing

• AutoComplete - Suggests and completes words as you type. Forum thread: link.
• Half-QWERTY - One-handed Typing. Using the space bar as a modifier, the user can generate the characters of either side of a full-sized keyboard using only one hand. More information via Forum thread: link
• KeyPress OSD - On-Screen Display which displays every key or mouse button press at a clearly visible text size. Forum thread: link
• Lintalist - Searchable interactive lists to copy & paste text with plugins. Forum thread: link.
• Portable Keyboard Layout - helps people to learn better, more efficient keyboard layouts such as Dvorak, Colemak or Asset. Forum thread: link.
• Thumbscript - Allows you to type using the number pad, with only 2 number presses for every letter. Documentation: link
• TypingAid - Suggests and completes words as you type. Forum thread: link GitHub link.

Window Management

• Automatic Window Manager - Save and restore last window position for each process. Forum thread: link
• bug.n - Tiling Window Manager. Forum thread: link
• Min2Tray - Minimize window to tray & more. Forum thread: link
• NiftyWindows - control of all basic window interactions such as dragging, resizing, maximizing, minimizing, closing, snap-to-grid, 'keep window aspect ratio', rolling up a window to its title bar, transparency control.
• SnapX - Enhances Windows/Aero Snap by taking over its hotkeys (Win+Left/Right, etc) and providing more fine-grained control over snap location and size. Works with multiple monitors, resolutions, and DPI levels.
• WindowPadX - tool which provides some useful functionality within multi monitor environments. WindowPadX is an enhancement of WindowPad, originally released by Lexikos, see original forum thread: link
• WindowSaver - Save and restore window layouts in Windows10 with support for virtual desktops and changing monitor setups. WindowSaver is an enhancement of DockWin v0.3 by Paul Troiano

Games

• Achromatic - ProgressPlatformer - Platform game. Forum thread: link, GitHub: link
• AHK Mahjong Solitaire - Mahjong game. Forum thread: link
• F1 Racer - 2 or 4 player racing game. Forum thread: link
• Infection - Board game. Also known as Ataxx. Forum thread: link
• Ishido - Retro puzzle game. Forum thread: link, GitHub: link
• ManyTetris - Multiple Tetris variants. Forum thread: link
• Out of the Sea - Try to avoid being fished by evolving. GitHub: link
• PABI Logical - Remake of the amiga game Logical. Forum thread: link, GitHub: link
• Sudoku - Sudoku game and solver. Forum thread: link

Tools

List of useful AutoHotkey tools. Tools made for AutoHotkey

Interpreter

• AutoHotkey - AutoHotkey interpreter installer and binaries.
• AutoHotkey DLL - AutoHotkey.dll opens the world of AutoHotkey to other programming and scripting languages. Forum thread: link. Documentation link.
• AutoHotkey build for CE - AutoHotkey for Pocket PCs / WinCE / Smartphones. Forum thread: link. Documentation link.
• IronAHK - Cross platform .NET rewrite - unfinished.

Debugging

• [Class] Console - This class is meant to simplify debugging for scripts from simple text handling, to outputting and logging data & arrays. GitHub link.
• Print Array - Function that prints array content in GUI.
• Yunit - by Uberi and infogulch - Simple unit testing framework for AutoHotkey.

Decompilers

• AutoHotkey decompiler - for AHK 1.1+ Forum thread: link.
• AutoHotkey decompiler - classic - for AHK 1.0 does not work with password or /nodecompile protected files.

Integrated Development Environment

• AHK Studio - SciLexer.dll based IDE for AutoHotkey.
• AutoGUI - AHK IDE with useful built-in plugins and GUI designer.
• AutoHotFlow - Draw your applications. Forum thread: link. GitHub link.
• DRAKON Editor - Visual programming (with DRAKON diagrams) for AutoHotkey.
• Notepad++ for AutoHotkey - Setup for popular code editor Notepad++ for AutoHotkey.
• SciTE4AutoHotkey - SciTE-based IDE for AutoHotkey.
• SublimeAutoHotkey - AutoHotkey AHK language package for SublimeText including syntax highlighting, comments toggling, auto-completions, build system definitions, commands for ahkrun, ahkcompile, ahkrunpiped.
• Sublime 4 AutoHotkey - Sublime 4 AutoHotkey is a patch for Sublime Text text editor which adds support for AutoHotkey. - (discontinued)
• vim-AHKcomplete - Vim plugin to add auto-completion. (omni-completion)
• Vim autohotkey-ahk - Vim plugin to add syntax highlighting for AutoHotkey.
• VSCode extension - Visual Studio Code (VSCode) plugin to add syntax highlighting for AutoHotkey.

GUI WYSIWYG Builders

• AutoGUI - by alguimist - WYSIWIG GUI Designer and Script Editor
• GUI Creator (formerly Basic GUI Creator) - WYSIWYG GUI Creator for AutoHotkey.
• MagicBox - by Alguimist - MagicBox is a development tool to assist in the creation of message boxes. Forum thread: link.

Script Recorders and Writers

• Pulover’s Macro Creator - a Free Automation Tool and Script Generator. Recommended for beginners. Forum thread: link. GitHub link.

Web Syntax Highlighters

• highlight.js - A syntax highlighter written in JavaScript supporting more than 130 languages (including AutoHotkey).
• PrismJs - Lightweight minimal AutoHotkey syntax highlighting.
• Syntax Highlighter - Legacy syntax highlighter for AutoHotkey with default support for line numbers.

Others

• GoTo - Addon for any text editor that helps you jump to labels, hotkeys, hotstrings and functions in the active file.
• GoToTilla - Addon which allows jumping to tokens within AHK source code.
• Context sensitive help in any editor - Addon for any text editor that provides context sensitive help by pressing F1.
• CodeQuickTester - by GeekDude - A lightweight dynamic code tester.
• iWB2 Learner - by jethrow - iWB2 Learner is a tool for gathering information about Internet Explorer webpages. Forum thread: link
• AHK-EXE-Swapper - by evilC - Swap AHK version quickly! Forum thread: link.
• AEI - by joedf - Displays AutoHotkey Environment Information and AHK support relevant System Information with a fancy update checker that auto-downloads with a progress bar. Forum thread: link.
• WinSpy - by Alguimist - Useful window spy / information tool written in AHK.

(Use in) other programming languages

• AutoHotkey.dll - Part of the AutoHotkey_H distribution. Load the autohotkey.dll from your other language, and pass normal AHK code to the dll file for execution. See here for a list of the exported functions. Some older links: python example, c/c++ example, forum link
• .NET Framework Interop (CLR, C#, VB) - Forum thread: link.
• ActiveScript - Host VBScript and JScript in-process - Provides an interface to Active Scripting languages like VBScript and JScript, without relying on Microsoft's ScriptControl, which is not available to 64-bit programs.
• Exo-Javascript - Write AHK with JavaScript - Forum thread: link, Exo-CLI (Interactive Command-line) link.
• LibLua - Note: lua.ahk and lua_ahkfunctions.ahk can be found here.
• Machine code functions: Bit Wizardry - Tutorial link, C/C++ to MCode Generator forum link.
• Embed Perl - Forum thread: link.
• PAHK - Forum thread: link.
• PYAHK - Documentation link.
• ahk - A Python wrapper for AutoHotkey - Forum thread: link

Tutorials

List of useful AutoHotkey tutorials.

Classes

• Classes in AHK, Basic tutorial - AutoHotkey classes basic tutorial.
• Classes in AHK, a Dissection (Advanced) - AutoHotkey classes advanced tutorial.

COM

• MS Office COM Basics - Using AutoHotkey with MS Office.

GUI

• Use HTML and CSS for your GUIs! - Using HTML and CSS for creating GUIs.

MCode (machine code)

• MCode Tutorial - MCode (machine code) tutorial.

Resources

List of useful AutoHotkey resources. Various websites, documentation, guides, videos and articles related to AutoHotkey.

Documentation

• Official documentation - Official uptodate AutoHotkey documentation. GitHub link.

Books

• ahkbook - a book on AutoHotkey (not completed yet). Forum thread: link.

Quick-start guides

• Official quick start tutorial - Official quick start tutorial - originally written by tidbit. Forum thread: link.

Websites

• ahkscript.org - Official website of AutoHotkey Foundation LLC, a non-profit LLC (Limited Liability Company) founded for this software. Certificate of Organization (pdf) link.
• autohotkey.com - Official website of the AutoHotkey scripting language (downloads, forum, documentation).
• ahkscript GitHub organization - Official ahkscript GitHub organization.

Forks

Forks of AHK which add new features to the core language

AutoHotkey_H

• AutoHotkey_H - AHK_H adds functionality to original AutoHotkey and offers true multi-threading using NewThread() function or AutoHotkey.dll. Full list of changes

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

It's no secret that we're huge fans of the simple but powerful AutoHotkey scripting language, and we use it religiously to automate Windows tasks and save time. Here's a handful of useful scripts and tricks to help you become an AutoHotkey expert.

Today's lesson assumes that you're already somewhat familiar with AutoHotkey scripting and automation. If you're new to the world of AutoHotkey, be sure to check out our beginner's guide to turning any action into a keyboard shortcut using AHK.

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Turn Any Action Into a Keyboard Shortcut: A Beginner's Guide to AutoHotkey

We waste a ton of time every day clicking through menus and typing repetitive text. AutoHotkey is a …

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Note: If you're trying to use an AutoHotkey script that requires Administrator access, you'll probably want to use this registry hack to add Run as Administrator to AutoHotkey scripts.

Make Windows Explorer Easier to Use

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We spend so much time browsing around in Windows Explorer that just about any enhancement can be a huge help, and there's a couple of ways you can tweak your Windows Explorer to make it easier to use.

Show/Hide Hidden Files and Extensions: If you regularly need to access hidden files, it's a pain to have to dive all the way into the settings dialog to enable them, deal with the file, and then go back and set it to hidden again. Instead, try a simple AutoHotkey script to toggle hidden files with a shortcut key—and as a bonus, you can also toggle file extensions with a shortcut key.

Restore the Backspace Key to XP-Style Navigation: Windows XP used to let you go up in the folder structure when you used the backspace key, but since Vista the backspace key has been changed to go back in the history instead—sure, you can use the alternative Alt+Up hotkey, but if you just can't get used to it, you can use an AutoHotkey script to restore the backspace key to its original purpose.

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Quickly Access the Command Prompt: If you're a command-line junkie, you're probably already aware of how easily you can access the command prompt from the context menu, but if you want something even easier, you can use AutoHotkey to create a shortcut key that launches a command prompt already started in the same folder that you're currently browsing in Windows Explorer.

Open a New Command Prompt from Explorer with a Hotkey

Reader Kevin used his ubergeeky AutoHotkey scripting skills to create a hotkey that opens a command …

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Insert Special Characters with a Keystroke

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If you need to insert special characters in a document or file that you're working on, you can use Windows' built-in Character Map application to find the character, copy it to the clipboard, and then paste it into the document that you're working on.

That's all fine and good for special characters you don't really use that often, but if you find yourself using the same special characters on a regular basis, you can use AutoHotkey to insert any special character with a single keystroke and save yourself loads of time in the process.

The general idea is that you'll use the SendInput function in a hotkey script, and paste in the special character that you're trying to use between the brackets—for instance, if you wanted to assign Alt+O to send the registered trademark symbol, you'd use a script like this:

!o::SendInput {®}


You can modify the hotkey line to send any symbol that you'd like, and simply include multiple lines if there's more than one symbol you'd like to assign to a hotkey.

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Manipulate Open Windows with the Keyboard

Activate Favorite Applications with a Keystroke: If you regularly have loads of open applications on your screen, switching between them with Alt+Tab can be a royal pain. The much easier solution is to assign a shortcut key to a particular window so you can instantly restore a specific, commonly-used application with a single keystroke. You'll need to customize the script for your environment, and then learn the shortcut keys, but once you do you will never want to go back to using Alt+Tab again.

Create a Shortcut Key for Restoring a Specific Window

Windows only: If you've ever wanted to assign a shortcut key directly to your favorite…

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Alt+Drag to Move Any Windows, from Anywhere: Long-time Linux users have always had a great feature that lets you hold down the Alt key and then left-click dragging the window anywhere on the screen that you want—instead of trying to grab the title bar every time you want to move it. Since this functionality doesn't exist in Windows anywhere, you can use an AutoHotkey script to get the Alt+Window drag functionality in Windows.

Turn Off the Monitor and Lock the PC in One Keystroke

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Windows includes the very useful Win+L shortcut key that locks your workstation, but it doesn't turn the monitor off at the same time—you'll have to wait until Windows power management kicks in for the screen to go dark. If you're trying to save battery life on your laptop PC, you can use AutoHotkey to create a shortcut that turns off the monitor and locks the workstation in a single keystroke.

If you're using a desktop PC, you could always just hit the power off button on the monitor, but then you'd have to power it back on again every time you sit down—this method uses Windows power management to shut down the monitor, and then you just need to move your mouse or hit the keyboard to force it to come back.

Create a Customized Boss Key to Keep You Out of Trouble

If you're still stuck in the daily grind, you've no doubt been in the situation where you're trying to do something else while you're supposed to be working for the man—and you don't want to get caught while doing it. We aren't actually advocating that you slack off at work or violate your employer's policies, but if you are already slacking off, you can create your own customized boss key to keep you out of trouble.

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Create a Perfect, Customized Boss Key With AutoHotkey

We've all been there—trying to do something else while we're supposed to be working for…

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The general idea is that you probably already know the applications that you aren't supposed to be using, so you can create a shortcut key that hides or kills the windows that you shouldn't be using, and then create another shortcut key that restores them again.

For instance, if you wanted to hide VLC media player when you hit the F6 key, and then show it again when you press the F7 key, you'd use a script similar to this one:

F6::
{
WinHide, VLC media player
Return
}
F7::
{
DetectHiddenWindows, On
WinShow, VLC media player
Return
}


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You could make a more complicated script that detects the presence of the window and toggles with a single shortcut key, but the problem is that if you accidentally hit the key twice, that application is going to hide and come right back—not what you're trying to accomplish. For more tips and techniques, be sure to read through our guide to creating the perfect boss key.

Disable Your Touchpad While Typing

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There's nothing more annoying on a cheap laptop than a touchpad that's so close to the keyboard that your thumbs accidentally hit it while you're typing—sending the cursor all over the screen and interrupting your flow. We'll take this moment to recommend that you check your laptop's touchpad driver panel for a sensitivity setting, but if that doesn't do the trick, you can also use an AutoHotkey script to disable the touchpad while you're typing, completely preventing the problem from happening at all.

Disable Your Touchpad When You're Typing with AutoHotkey

Windows: Back in November we highlighted TouchFreeze, a small utility designed to prevent you from…

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Combine AutoHotkey and Dropbox to Monitor and Control Your PC Remotely

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If you're a Dropbox user, you've probably already found many clever ways to use Dropbox, but combined with AutoHotkey you can really do some interesting things, like monitoring your PC or launching applications remotely.

The Cleverest Ways to Use Dropbox That You're Not Using

Free utility Dropbox is great at syncing files between computers, but it has a lot more potential…

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To monitor your PC remotely, you can simply create a script that triggers a screenshot utility in the background every few minutes—by simulating pressing the shortcut key that the utility is assigned to. For instance, if you are using the simple Screen Grabber utility, this script would press the Shift+F10 shortcut key every 5 minutes. You can alternatively check out the full guide over at Digital Inspiration, along with a downloadable version of the script.

Loop {
Send, {SHIFTDOWN}{F10}{SHIFTUP}
Sleep, 300000
}


If all you really want to do is launch an application on the remote PC, you can create an AutoHotkey script that runs, and then reloads itself every 5 minutes—so you can add a line to the beginning of the file, and the next time the script reloads it will run that line. Since the script is sitting in your Dropbox folder, you can edit it from anywhere.

Run, C:Program FilesLogMeInx86LogMeIn.exe
Loop
{
Sleep, 300000
Reload
}


In the example script, the top line wouldn't be there normally—that's the line that you can add from anywhere to launch the application. Once it's been launched, you can remove the line from the script so it won't launch again. Check out the rest of the instructions in our guide to launching applications remotely with Dropbox and AutoHotkey.

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Launch Applications Remotely with Dropbox and AutoHotkey

We've shown you how to use Dropbox and Autohotkey to remotely monitor your computer, but…

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Search Google from Any Application

If you're tired of copying and pasting from one application into your browser's search box, there's a much simpler way to go about this that works no matter what application you're in—just create a simple AutoHotkey script to map the Ctrl+Shift+C shortcut key to automate copying the text to the clipboard, and then open your default web browser with a Google search for the selected text.

^+c::
{
Send, ^c
Sleep 50
Run, http://www.google.com/search?q=%clipboard%
Return
}


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Shorten URLs with a Shortcut Key

If you spend a lot of time on the social web, you'll probably need to shorten links on a fairly regular basis, and while most Twitter clients support short URLs natively, if you aren't using a client, or just want to shorten a URL to use somewhere else, you can easily set up an AutoHotkey script to generate a short URL with a shortcut key. The script essentially automates the process of creating a short URL using bit.ly by taking the URL off the clipboard, creating a new tab in your browser that generates the short URL and copies it to your clipboard.

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Shorten URLs with a Quick Keyboard Shortcut in Windows

We recently showed you how to add Bit.ly URL shortening to Quicksilver, and now reader Kevin has…

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Make Your Caps Lock Key More Useful

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For most of us, the caps lock key is one of the most useless keys on the keyboard—unless you're a screaming forum brat or doing data entry work, it's something that most of us probably never use, and accidentally trigger far too often. It's easy enough to disable the caps lock key with a registry hack or kill it with an AutoHotkey script, but why not put it to good use instead?

Neuter the Caps Lock Key with Handicapslock

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Use Your Caps Lock Key as a Navigation Tool: You've got numerous options, but perhaps the most interesting one is to turn the caps lock key into a hand-friendly text navigation tool—essentially, you hold down the caps lock key while using other keys like J, K, or L to move the cursor left, right, up, or down—there's a whole slew of different keys in the script, and you can customize it as much as you want.

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Use Caps Lock for Hand-Friendly Text Navigation

After we showed you how to disable the Caps Lock key, reader Philipp wrote in with his unbelievably …

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Minimize Active Windows with Caps Lock: If that's a little more than you want to deal with, you can turn your Caps lock key into a dedicated minimize button with this simple script, which minimizes the active window whenever you hit the Caps lock key:

Turn Your Capslock Key Into a Dedicated Minimize Button

Dear Lifehacker,I read your article on turning any action into a keyboard shortcut using…

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Capslock::WinMinimize,A


Want to do something else with it? You can use the TabsLock script to put your browser a keystroke away, or re-assign Caps lock to mute the Windows sounds instead.

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TabsLock Puts Your Browser One Keystroke Away

Windows only: Free system tray utility TabsLock launches and focuses a new tab in Google Chrome…

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What are your favorite AutoHotkey scripts and techniques? Share your expertise with your fellow readers in the comments.

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The How-To Geek loves automating his PC with AutoHotkey. His geeky articles can be found daily here on Lifehacker, How-To Geek, and Twitter.