In this AutoHotkey Tutorial for Beginners I walk you through what you need to get started and help you write your first AutoHotkey script. Below are some convenient links to the tools you’ll want starting out with AutoHotkey.
AutoHotkey Tutorial for Beginners: What you’ll learn
Step #1: Which version of AutoHotkey to use @ 3:15 Step #2: Which editor to use with AutoHotkey @4:36 Step #3: Trigger Commands, Programs / Scripts / Websites by hitting key-combinations (Hotkeys)@11:07 Step #4: Type a few letters and have them replaced with the long strings of text (Hotstrings)@26:29 Step #5: Use a spell checker that will run on every Windows program @34:49 Step #6: Remap keys /key combinations @43:29 Step #7: Send a Mouse Click to specified coordinates @47:12 Step #8: Compile a script so you can give it to someone else to run on their computer @53:09 Step #9: Information & Resources where to go when you need help @54:52Continue reading
Video Hour 1: High-level overview: Hour 1
Video Hour 2: Q&A: Hour 2
Script Highlight: Minimize to tray– This is an “old” AutoHotkey script but is super-cool! When running you simply press the Windows Key & H and the active program will “disappear”. It works on multiple windows. Then, when you want them back, press Windows & U and the windows will be visible again.
Intro to AutoHotkey
AutoHotkey is free, open-source, Windows scripting language
Created in 2003 from Chris Mallet it was an off-shoot of AutoIt
AHK is user-friendly for non-programmers but is also used by programmers as it “hooks” into Windows & windows programs very well
The core language is very descriptive and typically isn’t too hard to grasp
Scripts are easily “compiled” into an executable which can be easily shared
You do not need to install AutoHotkey to run it. (It can be run from a thumb-drive)
What can AutoHotkey do?
You can automate virtually anything on a Windows computer! Here are some uses:
HotStrings: think text expansion on your phone or spell-check in MS Word
Go here and download the current version of AutoHotkey https://www.autohotkey.com/download/
During installation, we recommend installing the Unicode 32-bit version of AutoHotkey
Installing a Default AutoHotkey Editor
AutoHotkey code is “plain text” and pretty easy to read
Having said that, using an editor / IDE, instead of notepad, is very helpful!
Below are links to the three most popular AHK editors. Are all equally good as are many others). For our demonstration we are going to use SciTE (pronounced ‘sight’)
If Context-sensitive, remove context sensitivity & run general
Reboot the computer (hey, it’s Windows…)
Search the AutoHotkey Forum, Stack Overflow for similar issues
Is the problem consistent & repeatable?
Does it happen on other computers?
What, specifically, isn’t working? Break down the part that isn’t working into it’s-own script. Provide specific example to AHK Forum, StackOverflow, or friend after spending at least 30 minutes on it yourself. You can also check Discord for live feedback/support.
For SciTE debugging, you can check out videos on this post
There are some exciting news! – our AHK v1 to v2 Transition Course is finally here! This comprehensive course is the perfect way to get up to speed with the latest version of AutoHotkey. Remeber that v1 is now deprecated!!.
Don’t wait too long to grab this deal – it’s only available for a limited time! and it is discounted at 50% off.