Solved How to make keyboard keystroke combinations into desktop icons

[JamesEJ]

Hello Guys. Would like to avoid doing keystrokes as much as possible. Have got fingers that act more like thumbs when typing, that is a problem for me to do keystrokes.

Any way to make specific keystroke combinations into desktop shortcut icons.

Or... at least be able to make desktop icons that when clicked perform the same function as a specific keystroke combination.

Thanks bunches, Jim

 

[Barman58]

Shortcut Keys for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums is a complete list of the available shortcuts, but to turn them into icons you will need some sort of programming system, A macro language- Try AutoIT which is free and should allow you to create what you need, there are also a lot of samples to get you going, ( you can also fine tune these for your needs)

 

[JamesEJ]

Looked thru AutoIt. I went into a pure mental maze. Gotta know scripting in's out's so must go thru a long learning process for which I do not have the time to spend.

Thanks very much for taking you time and effort to try & help!

Anyone have a different idea?

Thanks, Jim

 

[Barman58]

I initially thought of suggesting using batch files which can be written to do basic tasks such as open a set of programs , and the file explorer open at a certain folder, or a webpage - there is the current replacement powershell - both of these of course also have a leaning curve.

All three options may have scripts that you can download that will meet your needs

there was an option to record AutoIT scripts for later use. which means that a lot of if not all the learning curve is removed, not sure if this is still possible but this suggests a workaround ...

AutoIt Recorder | Automation Developers

 

[RolandJS]

Another possible option: Way back then, SuperKey, by Borland International, would record one's series of keystrokes into a macro file which would be activated by a two-keystroke shortcut. It might be possible to Google for SuperKey alternatives, for Windows XP and beyond. I've Googled "Superkey Borland International" to start...maybe I can find an alternative.

 

[JamesEJ]

I googled superkey too with several leaders for more associated info. No Joy for me, but then did not really know what I was looking foe exactly either, Thanks Jim

 

[johnhoh]

why don't you post an example of something specific you'd like to do - a series of typical keystrokes...

 

[JamesEJ]

The reason I did not set one example out is that have ran into this on several occasions and wanted a universal fix. But here is one: CTRL + Alt + Delete

 

[johnhoh]

If you create a batch file that contains just this line, when you then click on that batch file windows will think you pressed ctrl+shift+esc. (I could not get it to work with ctrl-alt-del)

nircmd sendkeypress Ctrl+shift+esc

you'll need nircmd in your path.. here are links for nircmd sendkey and sendkeypress

NirCmd Command Reference - sendkeypress

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd2.html

WinSendKeys is another tool, good for creating a batch file that opens a program and then sends keystrokes to the program.

 

[MourningStar]

... (I could not get it to work with ctrl-alt-del) ...

try Ctrl+Alt+Delete

 

[JamesEJ]

OH Oh Looks like there is possible hope with nircmd, eh? Gonna take a look. Can't hurt

 

[johnhoh]

try Ctrl+Alt+Delete

tried it, no dice

 

[JamesEJ]

So guys, your opinions counts with me. That is why I am here! will these two programs work on the majority of kestrokes combinations? ya think yes/no or don't know

 

[johnhoh]

I've not used either for anything other than short batch files, so am not sure. I'd feel better qualified to answer if I had a couple specific examples of what you want to do.

 

[JamesEJ]

Uhh @ age 69 & likely any age, recalling needed numerous keystrokes over the lapse of time for an example is difficult. On the other end the choices other than my specific requested example are quite overwhelming indeed [See: Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts - printable cheatsheet, also quite difficult. Thus, the way my post was structured comes into play, I
thought, and that.

any suggestions welcome friends, Jim

 

[MourningStar]

Uhh @ age 69 & likely any age, recalling needed numerous keystrokes over the lapse of time for an example is difficult. ...

any suggestions welcome friends, Jim

Hi Jim - understood. Open a notepad file, save it to your desktop (name it something easy) and minimize it to the taskbar. Now, whenever you're on the computer and come across the need for your task bring up the notepad file and write it down and clik the save and minimize. No 'recall' needed with this method. Put the machine's memory to work for you . If you are in the habit of turning off your computer often, not to worry if you forget to save. The shutdown sequence will offer you a 'save' opportunity.

 

[Pyprohly]

try Ctrl+Alt+Delete

tried it, no dice

One cannot programmatically invoke Ctrl-Alt-Del or have a program intercept and detect events to or from this key combination in any way. Of course, this is a design feature, because if an app goes rouge this serves as your defence.

It’s not impossible however.


For hotkey automation, AutoIt3 is the best tool for the job.

Windows’ builtin languages Batch and VBScript cannot be used to set up custom hotkey combinations. You might be able to achieve something with PowerShell but the solution won’t be straight forward, and these languages aren’t really designed to run indefinitely.

 

[JamesEJ]

..For hotkey automation, AutoIt3 is the best tool for the job.

Thanks. but all that script variability boggled my brain cells to no end. Could be something simple but I cannot tell, so I passed on that.

Any thoughts are welcome, Jim