Windows 7: How to add "character map" to context menu when writing/editing text

I did this years ago with XP, worked for word/wordpad/notepad/and online, like here. Now that I bumped up to 7, forgot how to do it... I think a quick regedit

Surprised no tut on this. For me, it's much easier to leave the cursor where I want to insert the character than going to start>Accessories>System Tools>Character Map or start>search>charmap>charmap.exe, and then 4 more clicks to copy desired character. Remembering the keys, not going to happen.



Also, related question, once you finally get to character map, why 4 more clicks? Scroll to desired character>select>copy>paste. Seems select and copy are redundant. How about macros? I generally only use a few of these odd characters anyway, and rarely at that.

Or even better, how about speech macros for these characters? If there were speech commands for unusual characters (e.g., ü, °, ®, £) and numbers/math (e.g., ¼, ², ±), that could save a LOT of time. Ever try to find/insert the € or √¯symbol?

So, 1) character map in context menu? or even better, 2) speech macros for a greater selection of characters/symbols, including math?

Two questions, sorry. But related. Any help with either would be appreciated.

I know this can be done from a 3rd party app: Download Context Menu Editor 1.1 Free - Add / delete application shortcuts - Softpedia

Also, autohotkey is great for macro's like this that could call the program when you press a combination of keys.

Or, for the very simple included features of windows, you could setup a key by doing this:

go to the character map icon in the start menu and right click and go to the Properties

Then enter a combination of keys in the "shortcut key" field. This is usually Ctrl + Shift (or Alt)+ <letter>

For instance, I have my Snipping tool set to Ctrl + Alt + C

So as I would press Ctrl+C to copy something, I press Ctrl+Alt+C to launch snipping tool:

All three of your suggestions get me to character map, and that's what I asked for. Thanks you.

However, I just found what I suspect is an obscure list of speech macros at WSR Application Macros - Browse /Speech Macros at SourceForge.net. There are ~15 different macros, among them, "numbers", "fractions", punctuation", "abbreviation", "sketch-up", and "word". Haven't installed all yet, but after adding "punctuation", I can now say "british pound" and get "£" on the page, or "umlaut" and get "ü".
Having one-click-to-character map is good; but saying umlaut and having it typed for me is better. (I did have to say umlaut 3 times and then record it as a new word in the speech dictionary, but now it works every time... )

Just installed "fractions", said three quarters, it typed "¾".

If these speech macro things work, grading papers will go faster.

Thanks again. I will use your suggestion. But right now, I'm going to check out these speech macros. There are even speech-macros for "unicode' and "ultra-edit".