Xah Lee, 2009-07, 2010-05-18
This page collect tips and tools about creating your own system-wide keyboard shortcuts on Microsoft Windows.
Different tools have different features and purposes. They can do the following:
Here's a list of good tools, each one does some or all functionality above.
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: Problems of Microsoft IntelliType.
If you have a Microsoft keyboard, and want to use IntelliType to the fullest, see: Microsoft IntelliType Hacks.
The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator, at msdn.microsoft.com. A unofficial tool from Microsoft to creat your own keyboard layouts. (I have not used it)
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 Visual Basic like language.
To get you started, see: AutoHotkey Basics.
Most important thing about keyboarding is actually a good keyboard hardware. For some suggestions, see: