I use this AutoHotKey screen clipping script at least a dozen times a day. I think most people SHOULD be using it that often but don’t realize how useful it can be. This video walks through a few examples of how I use it. Get the newest version here
At a high level- here are it’s strengths:
Incredibly easy to create a clip and leave it on the screen (then discard easily)
Use AutoHotkey to get Path from explorer and sharefull path with others
Working on multiple computers, in multiple environments, and with teams of people can be a challenge when wanting to share files.
I have quite a few network folders that I’ve “mapped” so they look like drives. This always causes issues when copying the path and sharing with others. I also have a “b:” drive that I’ve created which, in reality, is a shortcut to the root of where my DropBox folder is located.
The 1st thing I’m going to recommend is that you backup your registry!!! After doing so, navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\DOS Devices
Then right click on the right and create a new String. This is where you’ll put in the letter of the drive you want (for instance I put in B: ). After you’ve done that, right click on the B: and add the path to the folder you want mapped. Here’s an example “\??\C:\\Dropbox\test\” Please note the second \ after the c:\ It is not a typo! For some weird reason you need two there however everywhere else after you just need one!
The next time you boot up you’ll have the new drive (this isn’t creating any sort of copies of files, it is merely giving you a convenient shortcut to a folder) Here’s a screenshot of my settings.
Mapping network drives are easy and you can follow this guide here.
Okay, now that we’re done setting up our computer, let’s get to the AutoHotkey script
Copy Path from explorer and replace with UNC (for sharing and to get around security issues)
;****************copy path of file selected to clipboard***************************************
#IfWinActive ahk_class CabinetWClass ;Explorer window
^+c:: ;Copy explorer path to clipboard
clipboard = ; Empty the clipboard
SendInput, ^c ;changd from Send 11/23
ClipWait, 1
If ErrorLevel ;Added errorLevel checking
{
MsgBox, No text was sent to clipboard
Return
}
clipboard="%clipboard%" ;Path from explorer
;~ MsgBox % A_Username a_tab a_computerName
;*********replace drive letter for full network path* Use UNC path to Network Drive to determine replacement*******
IfEqual, A_UserName,Joe,StringReplace,Clipboard,Clipboard,B:\,C:\DropBox\ ;Joe
;~ IfEqual, A_UserName,a0225522,StringReplace,Clipboard,Clipboard,E:,\\DFLFS04\email ;Joe
;~ IfEqual, A_UserName,a0601223,StringReplace,Clipboard,Clipboard,E:,\\DFLFS04\email ;Suzy
;~ IfEqual, A_UserName,x0168757,StringReplace,Clipboard,Clipboard,Z:,\\DTHS21\group ;Jenny
Sort, clipboard ; This also converts to text (full path and name of each file).
Return
#IfWinActive
Here’s a video demonstrating getting the Path from explorer
Keyboard shortcuts can be a great time saver (especially for specific programs, folders, actions) that you do dozens of times a day.
Over a decade ago I put the below file together documenting the most frequently used Windows / Office shortcuts
MS word file great keyboard shortcuts
Now-a-days AutoHotKey to create my own shortcuts (of which I have over 100 which do various activities by a simple click of the key/button.) AutoHotKey has a function for this called Hotkeys which are a great way to launch programs / scripts /folders that you use frequently.
This video walks through how easy it is to set up hotkeys to launch programs, scripts, etc.
I work / use a total of 5 different computers however, by using DropBox, I have one desktop on multiple computers. This saves me a ton of time trying to make sure I keep my files stored in the same place. By moving your desktop under your DropBox folder, you can easily keep them synced.
You can also create toolbars using the same approach. Especially if you have toolbars linked to folders that are under your DropBox account.
Video demonstrating one desktop on multiple computers