https://github.com/rustyx/myhotkey
A simple Windows hotkey application
https://github.com/rustyx/myhotkey
startup windows-shell
Last synced: 3 months ago
JSON representation
A simple Windows hotkey application
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/rustyx/myhotkey
- Owner: rustyx
- License: mit
- Created: 2019-06-08T19:49:57.000Z (about 6 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2022-09-06T18:52:31.000Z (almost 3 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-03-25T04:36:42.154Z (4 months ago)
- Topics: startup, windows-shell
- Language: C
- Size: 22.5 KB
- Stars: 10
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 1
- Open Issues: 2
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
## myhotkey
Windows Shell allows a hotkey to be associated with an application or action.
Unfortunately there is often a delay of 3 seconds between pressing the hotkey combination and the associated action.
The reason is explained [here](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/?p=7723).
This application bypasses the Windows Shell and executes applications and other shell actions on pre-configured hotkey combinations.
The end result is *immediate* reaction on pressed hot keys.
### Configuration
The application has no GUI; it is configured via a config file `myhotkey.conf` which is loaded from the application's startup directory.
The config file looks like this:
```
# myhotkey.conf - configuration file for myhotkey
#
# Format:
# Modifiers [TAB] Hotkey [TAB] Executable [TAB] Work Dir [TAB] Params
# Where Modifiers = letters C,A,S,W corresponding to Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win.
# A special modifier "+" can be used to allow multiple application instances.
#
# Notes:
# * no spaces to separate columns, use the TAB character,
# * use '-' to skip a column, '#' to skip a line
# * Hotkey can be defined as a normal character (0-9A-Z) or as a virtual key code -
# prefix it with a tilde followed by the decimal key code, e.g. ~112 means VK_F1.
# See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/inputdev/virtual-key-codes
#
CA C calc
CA Z cmd %USERPROFILE%
CA D bash %USERPROFILE%
CA O - - rundll32 shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl
CS ~112 - msedge
```
### Building
The application can be build with Visual Studio 2015 or later or with Mingw32 using the provided build script.
### Installation
* Build or [download](https://github.com/rustyx/myhotkey/releases) the executable
* Unzip the application somewhere
* Add a shortcut to `myhotkey.exe` in the Startup folder (Start -> Run, type `shell:startup`)
* Execute the shortcut
### Known issues
The main window of UWP apps like the calculator cannot be detected, which results in a new instance being started for every hotkey press.