Windows 7: Hotkeys like found on Linux.

Hello,

I am desperately seeking information on how to set misc Hotkeys for actions like volume and programs and such.

I'll much like to avoid keyboards with tonnes of "multimediakeys".



Am I in bad luck here or is there hope?

TIA

iHOME Multimedia Keyboard IH-K200MB Wired Keyboard

This one has a 12 buttons, six per side, dedicated to programs
From top left going anticlockwise:
Sleep
Internet Browser
Email Client (needs to be set)
Favorites Folder
Calculator
My Computer
Stop
Play/Pause
Volume Down
Volume Up
Mute
Default Media Player

Most buttons can be set, as well. Easy Peezy.

Also, here is a list of all windows 7 hot keys as pre-set by Microsoft:

Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts (Accelerator Keys or Hotkeys) Full Listing » My Digital Life

Hello

I have might have been unprecise but I am looking for a software solution.

Being a Linux user for over 10 years I am much addicted to the built in native feature on that platform and are looking for a similair feature on Windows.

I know many are fond of advanced keyboards and I fear that they are populair due to the lack of that feature on Windows. But I am perfectly happy with the keyboard I already have.

So... Am I in bad luck in that regard? :-)

This free programming language makes it easy to write your own:

AutoIt v3 - Automate and Script Windows Tasks - For Free!

Also if you go on the forum example scripts you may see some already done by users:

Example Scripts - AutoIt Forums

By default AutoIt3 programs put an icon in the system tray. You use the HotKeySet() function to assign a function to run when that hotkey is pressed. It has many built in functions to set the volume, open/close the optical drive tray etc..

The AutoIt3 syntax is easy to learn. Very similar to basic. If..Then..Else statements.
For..Next loops etc.. Not hard to figure out at all.

Brilliant! I'll take a closer look on that after work is over :-)

Thanks.