AHK News 2026-01-08: It’s been 8 years…

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

Eight years ago, on January 3rd, I quit Texas Instruments.

Had I stayed working in Corporate America I would have been, financially, much better off.

But the idiocy I’d put up with may have killed me❗

Those who know me well know I’m only somewhat kidding.

Don’t get me wrong, I had some great bosses & amazing colleagues.

But there were plenty of people that made me wonder how we were able to stay profitable.

I feel the main thing that saved us was that there was an equal amount of incompetency at all of our competitors❗

How about you❓   Have you ever wondered how your colleagues kept their jobs❓

To celebrate my 8 years of freedom I’m marking all of our v2 courses down by 58% until Sunday January 12th.

AutoHotkey V2 Courses

Don’t forget, all of our courses come with a Double your Money Back Guarantee!

200% Money Back Guarantee badge with a yellow and green starburst seal for AHK courses

Now on with the show…

Learn how to Master VSCode Make the switch to v2 Intro to AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate ObjectsGUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Access all our Courses; Quit when you want

forgettingWork

Save Time & Tokens with this Great AI tip

During an AHK Hero call a few weeks ago someone asked for how I include my libraries / functions when working with AI.

In this video I walk through how I greatly increased the likelihood of AI using my functions (and severely reduced the amount of tokens I spend because I don’t have to, repeatedly input/output functions that I use regularly.

Adding Libs to Claude Project and Working with Ai
Adding Libs to Claude Project and Working with Ai


Creating Stable Shareable Code

Do you share your scripts with others or work on other computers❓

In this video we walk through how you can leverage Relative Paths and Set the Working Directory

Benefit of Set Working Directory and Relative Paths
Benefit of Set Working Directory and Relative Paths


Should your script be Always Running or Launched?

During a Hero call we discussed how we all have scripts that are always running but others that we launch.  We discussed some of the logic on how we decide which approach we take and why.

When have script running verse launch when needed
When have script running verse launch when needed


Dynamically Manipulating Selected Text

Writing text is a HUGE part of how we use a computer❗

In this video we discuss various ways you can manipulate your text which can save you a TON of time!

Changing the Case of Selected Text
Changing the Case of Selected Text


Improving People’s Lives: Story #74

Tuesday I took part of the day to drive a friend to his MRI.

He got the results later and I used AI to help interpret them.  😊


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI News that you Need to Know


⚡️Productivity tips:

Perfect is the enemy of done❗

Often good enough is good enough!


🤣 A spot of Humor:  These are Priceless❗

The Pick Up Lines of Ryan Stiles

The Pick Up Lines of Ryan Stiles


What we 🅰utomated this week with AutoHotkey #116

In this week’s video I walk through 49 different tools we worked on, including updates to our custom AHK Script Maker editor, a slick Google Maps review scraper for finding local businesses, and my newsletter automation system that randomly pulls quotes and memes to keep things fresh.

What we Automated with AutoHotkey #116
What we Automated with AutoHotkey #116


We also dive into some audio processing magic with ffmpeg and show how AI is helping match content to newsletter themes.

If you’re curious about practical AutoHotkey automation or just want to see what’s possible when you automate the boring stuff, this one’s packed with real-world examples.


Clients say…

“I appreciate all the work you guys are doing for me!  I look forward to it and it keeps me excited about my work – otherwise I would likely get bored or burned out or both.”  — Danny H. (Radiologist)


Cartoon superhero mascot in green costume beside the bold text AHK Hero on a yellow background AHK Hero 🦸

Consider joining the 🦸AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.    Currently we have over 506 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗

Hard to believe we’re starting our 5th year of the AHK Hero program❗

During this Friday’s call we’re planning to discuss:

  • Help AHK Hero Members with their Questions & Code
  • Zoom Mute Monitor / Informer
  • Structuring tables in SQL Database
  • 5 Git commandsthat feel like Magic
  • Using a Ternary to easily apply changes based on logic (instead of using an “if“)
  • Comparing strings, case sensitivity, how to handle when in map, etc.
  • Using SendTo for passing multiple files to a script

They also have access to exclusive & pre-released content and 3 hours a week where we help people with their AHK issues (the Saturday calls are geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


🗣️ 💭 Quotable quotes

  • Fire fast; Hire slow — Dan Kennedy
  • If you’re not troubled over some of the things you’re saying no to, you need to say no MORE often! — Joe Glines
  • Keep a master list of long-range goals — John Carlton

AHK Newsletter⏩SHARE WITH A FRIEND⏩

Do you know someone that would benefit from learning useful automation tips like the gems in today’s issue?  Take a second and forward this newsletter and bask in the glow of their undying gratitude.  Was this email forwarded to you?

Sign up for this Newsletter here.  We never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


the-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan and staff


P.S. AI is coming but it’s still a ways off before it entirely replaces everyone.   I highly recommend you keep learning how to Automate.   Learning how to automate will serve you well when you’re showing AI the work you want it to do.

And don’t forget, the 58% off of our courses discount expires on Sunday.
Act now and start improving your future today!

News 2026-01-01 Happy New Year❗

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

It’s hard to believe 2026 is here! 

Will this be the year AI goes Supernova and we get “SuperIntelligence“❓

I think it will.  

The future is scary and impossible to predict for anyone!

We discuss AI in our AHK Hero Calls often and discuss how to use it to our benefit.

How are you going to use AI in 2026❓

Now on with the show…

Learn how to Master VSCode Make the switch to v2 Intro to AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate ObjectsGUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Access all our Courses; Quit when you want

bobgetsit


Changing Search to Fuzzy Match

A while back a YouTube subscriber asked about how they can change a search field.

So, during an AHK Hero call Irfan showed how he adjusted our main search to match on ordered characters using a RegEx in our HotkeyString Lookup tool.

Changing Search to Fuzzy Match
Changing Search to Fuzzy Match


Don’t be afraid to try things

Just quick reminder that you should not be afraid of failing.  

Life is an experiment.  Just be sure you learn from it!

Don’t be afraid of failing #shorts
Don't be afraid of failing #shorts


Easily change your Drive Icons

During our Hero call we were talking about our Fake Drive creator and someone asked how I had changed the icons for my “real” hard drives.

I showed them my approach I’d been using since XP and Isaias mentioned some more modern ways in this video.

Easily Changing the Icons of your Drives
Easily Changing the Icons of your Drives


AHK v2 New File Templates

During a Hero call we were discussing creating new AutoHotkey files.  

Isaias mentioned that the AHK v2 Dash lets you store custom New File Templates.

You can check it out in this video.

Configuring your AutoHotkey v2 New File TemplateS
Configuring your AutoHotkey v2 New File TemplateS


Improving People’s Lives: Story #73

A client was needing to do some work with AI.

They wanted to hire us to build an advanced AI project for their clients. 

I showed them how easy it is to create a basic App Google Gemini and saved them a bunch of Cash❗  

We will probably use Google Opal to make one a bit more advanced but definitely does not have to be expensive!


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI News that you Need to Know


⚡️Productivity tips:  

Plan tomorrow’s work today.  Let your subconscious work on it overnight!


🤣 A spot of Humor: Not Enough Sex

Lisa Alverado Stand Up Comedy

Not Enough Sex - Lisa Alverado Stand Up Comedy


What we 🅰utomated this week with AutoHotkey #115

Holy cow, what a year! In this video I walk through some of the 541 scripts knocked out in 2025.

From client work that saved people weeks of time, to tools like Video Sandwicher that merged random intros/outros to a video, to business automation that handles billing and invoicing on autopilot.

It’s a fun trip showing what AutoHotkey can really do when you put it to work.

What we Automated this YEAR with AutoHotkey #115 | Year in Review
What we Automated this YEAR with AutoHotkey #115  | Year in Review


Clients say…

THANK YOU, YOU SAVED MY LIFEEEEEEEEEEEEEE — @sillywilly-102


Cartoon superhero mascot in green costume beside the bold text AHK Hero on a yellow background AHK Hero 🦸

Consider joining the 🦸AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.    Currently we have over 503 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗

During this Friday’s call we’re planning to discuss:

  • Help AHK Hero Members with their Questions & Code
  • Meet my new AI Assistant
  • Script Update: GoogleMaps Scraper
  • AHK Script Maker: Smoother Debugging
  • Zoom Mute Monitor / Informer
  • Comparing Cloned objects versus Copied Objects / Strings
  • 5 Git commandsthat feel like Magic

They also have access to exclusive & pre-released content and 3 hours a week where we help people with their AHK issues (the Saturday calls are geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


🗣️ 💭 Quotable quotes

  • Work Hard; Be Curious; Be Honest❗— Joe Glines
  • The best way to predict the future is to create it. — Peter Drucker
  • Never give up, never surrender, and always go for the win. — Charlie Kirk
  • Your strength is measured by what you’ve overcome, not what you’ve avoided — Joe Glines

AHK Newsletter⏩SHARE WITH A FRIEND⏩

Do you know someone that would benefit from learning useful automation tips like the gems in today’s issue?  Take a second and forward this newsletter and bask in the glow of their undying gratitude.  Was this email forwarded to you?

Sign up for this Newsletter here.  We never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


the-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan and staff


P.S. I hope 2026 treats you right❗  

Remember, If you need to discuss AI or Automation, I’m here!

 

AHK News 2025-12-18: It’s Called WindowS, not Window❗

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

Around 27 years ago, to get my undergraduate degree, I had to take an “Intro to Computers” class.

We had a lab assignment that involved navigating to a few web pages, gathering information, and then writing a “paper” to turn in.

I was working away when I happened to notice the guy next to me had a pad of paper out and was looking at a website and writing things down.

Out of curiosity I asked him what he was doing.   His reply left me speechless:

I’m writing this down so I can then open MS word and type it up.

Not only had the kid never heard of “cut and paste” but, for some reason, also didn’t realize you could have more than one program open at a time❗

In the following 5 minutes I taught him copy, paste, and Alt+tab for switching between windows.

I realized then that we all have various levels of knowledge.   And that a few minutes of time could really help change people’s lives!

The other day Isaias was tutoring Irfan on adding the Debugger to AHK Script Maker.

We all agreed, Irfan learned in minutes what would have taken hours (more likely days) on his own❗

It’s what all our AHK Hero members get to experience every week❗

Now on with the show…

Learn how to Master VSCode Make the switch to v2 Intro to AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate ObjectsGUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Access all our Courses; Quit when you want

FeelBetterNow


How I Stream Content

During an AHK Hero call a few weeks back we got to talking about how I easily watch movies, play podcasts, etc. on any TV in our house, or on my phone.  

I use Plex on my main computer to make it accessible…

Using Plex to share Media to TVs and Phones
Using Plex to share Media to TVs and Phones


Don’t make this Mistake with AI

If you’re using AI to process tasks, keep in mind that not all file formats are equal!

In this video I walk through how a client had set up AI to accept PDF and then he uses AI to extract information.   The interesting thing is I think, with a little work, he could avoid using AI entirely!

Don’t Create the Problem
Don't Create the Problem


Are you running the Current version of AHK❓

Years ago I used to go months without checking for an update to AutoHotkey.

It occurred to me: Why not have our AHK Editor inform people when there are new versions available❓

In this video we show you how we achieved this (and dive into web scraping).

Updates to AHK Script Maker

Speaking of our AHK editor, in this video we walk through the below updates:

  • Improved search behavior across included files with the ability to jump to specific line numbers.
  • Planned enhancement to search all open tabs/files regardless of the active tab
  • Tab system reworked using a single Scintilla control
  • Fixed DPI scaling issues in tab controls by correcting height calculations.
  • Added user-configurable icon sizes (16, 24, and 32 pixels).
  • Integrated Windows context-menu support (“Edit with Script Maker”),

AHK Script Maker Updates
AHK Script Maker Updates


Improving People’s Lives: Story #73

This week I (somewhat) killed my computer so I’ve been using a laptop I haven’t used in ~5 years.  Thankfully all the important files were under DropBox and I was able to create our “fake drives”

Thankfully I even had my “desktop” stored under DropBox so it’s easy to see what I was working on!  😁


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI News that you Need to Know


⚡️Productivity tips:  

Windows+I will open Windows settings


🤣 A spot of Humor:

Over Thanksgiving I watched Parenthood with my Father & son.   This is still one of my most favorite clips of all time

Parenthood – Grandma’s rollercoaster story

Parenthood - Grandma's rollercoaster story


What we 🅰utomated this week with AutoHotkey #113

This week we dove into 23 different AutoHotkey tools and showed how we’re using them to automate everything from media players to Excel workflows.

In this week’s video I walk you through some of our favorite enhancements like the ActiveDPIAdjuster, our custom media player controls, and how we’re integrating AutoHotkey with various applications to eliminate those mind-numbing repetitive tasks.

What we Automated with AutoHotkey #113
What we Automated with AutoHotkey #113


Clients say…

With The-Automator, I learned to use AutoHotkey, in order to automate otherwise tedious and repetitive tasks. Thanks to Joe Glines and all his guests, I am now able to automate boring tasks, “if only my mower could respond to AutoHotkey”. — Claude Paga


Cartoon superhero mascot in green costume beside the bold text AHK Hero on a yellow background AHK Hero 🦸

Consider joining the 🦸AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.    Currently we have over 500 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗

You can watch 1 hour a day for a year and not repeat content! That’s a lot of AHK Learning!

During this Friday’s call we’re planning to discuss:

  • Help AHK Hero Members with their Questions & Code
  • Comparing Cloned objects verse Copied Objects / Strings
  • Script Review: Adding Debugger in AHK Script Maker
  • 5 Git commandsthat feel like Magic
  • Using a Ternary to easily apply changes based on logic (instead of using an “if”)
  • Comparing strings, case sensitivity, how to handle when in map, etc.
  • Using SendTo for passing multiple files to a script

They also have access to exclusive & pre-released content and 3 hours a week where we help people with their AHK issues (the Saturday calls are geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


🗣️ 💭 Quotable quotes

  • Don’t tell them how great you are; Tell them how great you will make them feel❗
  • The best way to predict the future is to create it . — Peter Drucker
  • Learn a HotKey a day to keep inefficiency away! — Joe Glines

AHK Newsletter⏩SHARE WITH A FRIEND⏩

Do you know someone that would benefit from learning useful automation tips like the gems in today’s issue?  Take a second and forward this newsletter and bask in the glow of their undying gratitude.  Was this email forwarded to you?

Sign up for this Newsletter here.  We never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


The-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan and staff


P.S. It’s truly amazing how much we can improve ourselves if we try.   I have the mindset of “ABL” Always Be Learning.   It’s one thing I think all of use in the AHK Hero club strive for❗