AHK News 2025-10-09- 269 Newsletters❗

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

Last week’s newsletter was about remembering what it was like starting-out with AutoHotkey.

When I was publishing the newsletter it got me wondering how many AHK Newsletters I’ve done.

Since I keep all of the past ones it was pretty easy to do a search and realize my first Newsletter was sent in July of 2020. 

I know there were two weeks that I missed which means as of today I’ve sent about 269 AHK Newsletters

Some of you might think it is hard to think of new things to write about however I find it incredibly easy.   Probably because I’m still constantly learning what to automate!

How about you❓ Do you ever think you’ll run out of “things to automate“❓

Thank you for being a subscriber/viewer❗

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

DoingItManually

Sadly the above is closer to the truth than you would think❗ I had 3 bosses at Texas Instruments that literally told me “not to automate” things.

Customizing VS Code

During a Hero call last weekend, Ray wanted to tweak his VS Code settings.  

Isaias walked through some of the (seemingly endless) settings in VS code.

I also chimed in with how I’d changed the backgrounds of my inactive tabs.  I extracted the video so you can check it out here.

Customizing your VSCode settings
Customizing your VSCode settings


️Don’t need a Ferrari❓

We often joke that VS Code is the Ferrari of editors.  If you’re a developer coding in AutoHotkey v2 VS code is definitely the right choice however many of us (myself included) don’t need a Ferrari.

Our choice used to be SciTE4AutoHotkey however it has some odd bug in it that changes your AutoHotkey install settings that we can’t track down.  

We use AHK Toolkit a lot however it’s missing some core features (Line numbers, IntelliSense, Autocomplete, Dark mode, assignable hotkeys etc.)

So we’re creating our own (basic) editor for people that don’t need all the bells-and-whistles that VS Code offers.  

We’re planning on naming it AHK Script Maker and I’m hoping to have an early version out next week.

If you’d like an early look at it  you can check it out in this video.

What are your “must have” features %Name%❓

Creating a new AHK editor
Creating a new AHK editor


Deeper Dive into Semantic Versioning

We’ve covered Semantic Versioning before however Isaias learned some new information about metadata so, during a Hero call, we walked through Semantic Versioning again.

Additional info on Semantic Versioning
Additional info on Semantic Versioning


Improving People’s Lives: Story #66

Our Video Sandwich tool was built for me to use however I have several friends that have YouTube channels and will be borrowing it as well.  

Over the years I’ve loved automating my own work but a true joy is being able to give it to others and save them time as well! 

Do you share your scripts with others❓

If so, you might check out this video where we walk through the list on this page about why scripts break when you share them with others.


What we’re reading


AI News that you Need to Know


⚡️Productivity tips: Gmail hacks

During a Hero call we discussed some fun Gmail hacks

Fun gmail hacks
Fun gmail hacks


A spot of Humor: Put to metal

Last week I shared this gem of an Insufferable brat going mental.

This guy took part of it and created a great song!

“GIVE HIM A TICKET!” GOES METAL

give him a ticket


What we utomated this week with AutoHotkey #105

In this week’s video we’re diving into some really cool updates including our brand new AutoHotkey editor that actually plays nice with your scripts (unlike some other options), plus I’ll show you how AI helped us make one of our tools run ridiculously faster.

We’ve also been cranking on a bunch of media tools and our AI OCR that can do way more than just read text—you’ll want to see what’s possible with custom prompts!

105 What we Automated with AutoHotkey #105
105 What we Automated with AutoHotkey #105


Clients say…

They always deliver more value than promised—  AJ Wilcox


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 472 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗

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

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

  • Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive; We can create it for you! — Joe Glines
  • Decisions without actions are worthless — Dan Kennedy
  • Failure is not the opposite of success; It’s a part of it!

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 find it hard to believe I’ve been publishing this newsletter for over 5 years.  

What’s more amazing is, every day, I find something else to automate!  

Are you the same %Name%❓

Consider joining the AHK Hero club where you can be with others like you.

 

AHK News 2025-09-04 Why Not Ready Yet Is Killing Your Projects

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

A lot of people spend a crazy amount of time working on their scripts and never sharing them with anyone.

They convince themselves their script will be enormously popular and keep waiting for it to be “perfect“.

If you’re one of these people the following should be printed out and hung on your wall

Version One is infinitely better than Version None

I like the saying so much I just ordered a new sign!

Metal sign with red top reading Version None in white and white bottom reading Version One in green, with mounting holes at top and bottom

And, did you know, that being first, in the mind of customers, is far more important than being best!

So start moving forward and get some feedback TODAY❗

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

quickerFixer


Tips & Tricks: Learn to Program in AHK v2

In this AHK Hero extract Isaias and I built a new class for handling processes.

We live-coded how to suspend, resume, and toggle processes using PIDs.

We also touched on why classes beat functions, how AI helps spark ideas, and the possibility of turning this into a tool for everyone.  Check it out in this video.

Learning To Program in AHK v2 – Amazing lesson from an AHK Hero Extract
Learning To Program in AHK v2 - Amazing lesson from an AHK Hero Extract


Using AI to Rename Files

In this video, I show how I’m using AI to make renaming files effortless. I walk through a tool that handles the messy parts and explain how AI makes automation and data processing a lot easier!

Smart File Renamer- AI Is my SuperPower!
Smart File Renamer- AI Is my SuperPower!


Streamlining Reporting Errors to AI

We’ve made a few changes to Error Catcher since I recorded this video however it still gives you the “gist” of it.   The more I use AI to write code, the more helpful scripts like this become!

Simplify Reporting Errors to AI
Simplify Reporting Errors to AI


Creating Bookmarks in VS Code

This AHK Hero Extract Isaias shows us how easy it is to add bookmarks in VS Code.  If you’re new to VS code, our Intro to VS Code course is a great place to get you going!

Adding Bookmarks in your VS code Map for Easy Navigation – AHK Hero Extract
Adding Bookmarks in your VS code Map for Easy Navigation - AHK Hero Extract

Don’t forget it, like all 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


Improving People’s Lives: Story #61

My son, Jon, started college last month and, to earn spending money, is working with us.

To start off he’s learning how to edit our videos (and has been doing a great job!).

Unfortunately, I need to be there while editing the ‘What We Automated with AHK’ videos, since Jon isn’t yet familiar with all the tools I mention.

It got me to re-think how we could streamline that process!

Thankfully we came up with a new approach which should, automatically, add the URLs to the screen  during recording thus I will not have to be there during editing.  


What we’re reading


AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage


⚡️Productivity tips:  Do what is hard!

Don’t wait for inspiration; Take Action❗

Napoleon Hill: Do What Is Hard
Napolean Hill: Do What Is Hard


A spot of Humor:

Harrison Ford tells another great joke

Harrison Ford Tells The 2nd GREATEST Joke of All Time!
Harrison Ford Tells The 2nd GREATEST Joke of All Time!


What we utomated this week with AutoHotkey #100

In our 100th video, Isaias and I looked back at how we’ve been using AutoHotkey to solve client problems, build powerful tools, and cut down on errors in everyday work.

We showed how we tackle tricky UI automation and non-standard controls, and talked about connecting with external systems like Stripe to streamline invoicing and payments.

We also walked through tools we’ve created—like the Clipboard Formatter, Time tracking scripts, and the Effortless Video Reducer—that all came from real needs and have grown through testing and feedback.

Hitting this milestone gave us a chance to celebrate what we’ve built, highlight the importance of community input, and share our excitement about future automation projects, especially where AI and machine learning can push things even further.

What we Automated with AutoHotKey #100
What we Automated with AutoHotKey #100


Clients say…

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 457 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:

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


️ Quotable quotes

  • Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive and Believe, It Can Achieve — Napoleon Hill
  • Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive and Believe; We can create it for you! — Joe Glines
  • In God We Trust; (All others must provide data)

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. The intro is super important!  If you’d like some professional feedback on your script, you know how to reach us!

 

AutoHotkey News 2025-06-19- The Price of Doing Things “The Way We’ve Always Done It”

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

Once upon a time there were Two villages and one well.

Every day, villagers trudged out from each city with buckets to get water.

It worked… kinda.

But if someone was sick, if it rained, or if the well ran low—tough luck.

Summers? Multiple trips just to keep crops and animals alive.

Then one village had a bright idea:

Build a system to pipe in water

It’d take time and effort, sure—but once done, they had fresh water on tap.  No more buckets!

Under significant costs this village built their water system.

When done:

  • Their crops thrived
  • Animals were healthier
  • People were happier
  • The city grew because residents had time to do other things

They even built sanitation systems to improve health.

Life got easier and way better (in ways they had not anticipated ❗)

The other village?

They stuck with the bucket system.  “Too much work” they said.  “Too expensive.”

Over time, their best people left for the smarter village.  Progress passed them by…

but hey, they still had their buckets

Does this Sound familiar %Name%?

A lot of businesses do the same.  They keep doing things the hard way because “it works,” even though it’s draining them.

The truth? Real growth takes up-front work—but the payoff is massive (and long-term).

This is exactly why I’m so big on AHK!

AutoHotkey is your water system.

Yeah, there’s a learning curve—but once it’s set up? You save time, reduce errors, cut stress, and unlock crazy productivity.

Are you ready to ditch the bucket?

Check out some of the free resources I’ve got over at the-Automator.com or dive into one of the thousands of videos on my YouTube channel.  Or check out my calendar and schedule a call.

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

Feeling Good


How to Update a Running Script

Have you ever wanted to let your users click a “check for update” option and not only detect a new version is available but also have the new version replace the current running script❓

Isaias walks through how we do this in this video.

But, be forewarned, it is fairly complicated…

How to Update your Running AutoHotkey Script / Program | AHK hero Extract
How to Update your Running AutoHotkey Script / Program | AHK hero Extract


Use AI to help Document your Programs

I realized that, with Google’s Gemini, you can share your screen (and now with Copilot also) and have AI explain your script for you.   You can check out this video.

Use AI to help Document your AHK Scripts
Use AI to help Document your AHK Scriptsv

Of course you can also use it to help you learn how to use tools and accomplish your goals.

The future truly is here!


Fixing Timing of your script

Don’t forget that, if you’re having issues with the timing of your script, you NEED to check this video out!   We explain how you can make a minor tweak that will affect 48 AutoHotkey functions!

Fix AutoHotkey Timing Issues FAST with This Simple Trick!
 Fix AutoHotkey Timing Issues FAST with This Simple Trick!


Interrupting your AHK Scripts

During an AHK Hero call we discuss some of the cool ways to Suspend, Un-Suspend, and Pause your AutoHotkey scripts.  I extracted the topic and put it in this video.  We also discuss the #SuspendExempt directive.

Suspending, Unsuspending and Pausing – AHK Hero Extract
Suspending, Unsuspending and Pausing - AHK Hero Extract


Improving People’s Lives: Story #52

I recorded a short video for a client and used our Window Snipping tool.  While he loved the work we did, he also so just how powerful (and easy to use) the Snipping tool is.

BTW I also had a cool idea.  Why not incorporate AI into the tool and have it auto-redact personal information.

I manually uploaded an image to Chat GPT to see how it would work.   It did an amazing job!

Redacted chat screenshot showing timestamps and messages with black bars covering names, a YouTube thumbnail with a ChatGPT logo, and a GitHub thread

Is this something you’d be interested in❓

If so, let me know and we’ll try and get it done sooner rather than later.


What we’re reading


AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage


⚡️Productivity tips:  The following work in MS Excel

  •  Ctrl+Space – Select entire column
  •  Shift+Space – Select entire row

A spot of Humor:  She’s pretty funny

He Took Me To The Back

He Took Me To The Back | Aiko Tanaka (Full Set) | Chick Comedy
He Took Me To The Back | Aiko Tanaka (Full Set) | Chick Comedy


Client’s say…

I am so thankful for all you are doing to help us in this conversion and our mission to produce a solid product. — Stephanie Holland


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 423 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:

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


️ Quotable quotes

  • Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive and Believe We can create it for you! — Joe Glines
  • Hire people that are over-performing in crappy jobs — Dan Kennedy
  • Time spent alone in silence can yield breakthrough insights — Dave Dee

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, Denilson and staff


P.S. Don’t wait for a “perfect time” to start.

Start now, and soon you’ll wonder how you ever lived without AutoHotkey.

Don’t forget, our courses come with a 200% money-back guarantee!

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