Keyboard Layout ＆ Key Macro tools for Windows

Xah Lee, 2009-07-30, …, 2012-05-10

This page collect tips and tools about creating your own system-wide keyboard shortcuts on Microsoft Windows.

Different tools have different features and purposes. Here's a list of possible features. Most tools can do only SOME of the following:

Swap, disable, or reassign modifier keys, such as Ctrl, Alt, Caps Lock, Win keys.
Define key to launch a file (launch app, run script, or just open file).
Define key to insert text, such as today's date, your address, or your signature.
Define keys to insert math symbols or unicode symbols. e.g. © € → “ ” ° § ¶ ◆ α β ≈ ≠ ≤ ≥ ∑ ♫ ♬
Define key to act as if pressing other key, key combo, key sequence. (e.g. press F8 for 【Alt+Tab ⇆】)
Define actions for special keyboard keys, such as those multimedia keys (Play, Pause, Next, Prev), sound level control, Mute, Sleep, app launch keys.
Define combination keys, such as 【Ctrl+a】.
Define sequential keys, such as 【Alt+Space a】.
Macros. Record ＆ play back a sequence of key strokes or mouse events.

Here's a list of good tools for Windows, each one does some or all of the above.

Intellitype

Microsoft Intellitype is a very feature rich keyboard macro software. It comes with Microsoft keyboards. You can use this to swap modifier keys, disable them, or set F keys or special keys to launch any app. The key sets can be different for each app. It also has a basic keyboard macro ability for mostly gaming purposes.

For screenshot, basic intro, and its limitations, see: What Microsoft IntelliType Can Do and Cannot Do .

If you have a Microsoft keyboard, and want to use IntelliType to the fullest, see: Microsoft IntelliType Hacks.

AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey is a powerful scripting engine that also lets you assign keys to any script or run any app, or insert some text, or act as pressing other keys. This is the most powerful, but take a lot time to learn its scripting language.

To get you started, see: AutoHotkey Basics.

Others

The following i have not actually used.

Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator, at msdn.microsoft.com. A unofficial tool from Microsoft to create your own keyboard layouts. (I have not used it)

X-Mouse Button Control Source www.highrez.co.uk (i haven't used it)

Your Keyboard is Most Important

Most important thing about keyboarding is actually a good keyboard hardware. For some suggestions, see:

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (review)