How To Change Keyboard Shortcuts On Windows 10

Information technology's not likewise complicated to create your own keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10. But correct-click the executable for whatsoever it is you want to create a shortcut to, click Properties, so enter your command into a box. (More on creating custom shortcuts here.)

But what if y'all want to change the default keyboard shortcuts that Windows 10 has foisted on you, such as a much more convenient shortcut instead of Ctrl + Shift + Esc to admission the job director or for Ctrl + South to utilise an culling search tool? For this, nosotros need a tool called AutoHotKey.

Here we show you how to change the keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10 using this slap-up tool.

Meet AutoHotKey

Then let's start with the bad news, which is that in that location is no native manner to change the default keyboard shortcuts in Windows. Afterwards all these years, Microsoft even so isn't willing to offer that simple chip of flexibility, presumably for fright that you'll want to employ its shortcuts to admission non-Microsoft apps … which is probably the case.

Instead, you're going to have to create scripts for every shortcut cardinal that you want to supersede. Don't worry, this process is actually made pretty easy thanks to a great tool called AutoHotkey. This is a script creator tool that can be used for all kinds of creative purposes, but today we are looking specifically at how you tin can use it to alter the default Windows shortcuts.

First, download AutoHotKey.

change-keyboard-shortcuts-windows-10-new-script

Next, we familiarize you with the basics of the Automobile Hotkey syntax you need to know to change Windows shortcuts. About Windows shortcuts utilize some combination of the below buttons, so this should be enough to become yous started.

AutoHotkey syntax	Representation
^	`Ctrl` key
!	`Alt` key
+	`Shift` key
#	`Win` key
Upward, Down, Left, Right	Arrow Keys/Directions
run,	Makes your hotkey open up a file, folder or program on your PC
transport,	Redirects the hotkey to your chosen keystrokes

If yous want to type a letter of the alphabet, you lot just literally blazon that letter of the alphabet, while buttons like Esc, Del and others can also be directly typed into your script. You tin find a convenient list of the main Auto Hotkey syntax at this site.

Change Default Windows Shortcut

Once you lot've done that, on the Windows desktop, right-click an empty infinite, then select "New -> Car Hotkey script," and telephone call information technology something recognizable. We're going to create a ameliorate shortcut for getting to the job director (Ctrl + Shift + Esc by default), so we are calling our shortcut "Task Manager."

Side by side, right-click the script you just created and click "Edit Script." Based on the syntax nosotros showed above, the shortcut you lot should enter here is as follows:

Showtime enter the shortcut you desire to use and follow this with ::Transport, then a infinite and the shortcut you want your custom shortcut to supervene upon. Because the Esc central is a command rather than a standard key, we put information technology in the special brackets.

With all your keyboard shortcut replacements, we recommend adding a 2d line to the script with the text #NoTrayIcon. This will block the Auto Hotkey tray icon from popping up, ensuring that the whole process stays in the groundwork.

Change Default Windows Shortcuts Notrayicon2

In one case your script is ready, shut it and save information technology, and then double-click the script to run it and examination your keyboard shortcut to see if information technology does what it should.

Change Programme Shortcut

Next, allow's effort redirecting the default Windows Search shortcut Win + S to an alternative search tool nosotros like called Search Everything. Type in the following control:

#southward::run            ,            "C:Program FilesEverythingEverything.exe"

change-keyboard-shortcuts-windows-10-search-ahk

The :: is what separates the hotkey from the action you desire it to perform. The scrap before this is the hotkey nosotros are entering (Win + S in this case), and the bit later run is the command to open the Search Everything app.

change-keyboard-shortcuts-windows-10-notrayicon

Run Shortcuts at Windows Startup

Your shortcuts piece of work equally soon every bit you kick Windows and movement the .ahk script to your system startup binder in File Explorer – C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartUp. Do the same for all your keyboard shortcut replacements. That way they'll all be working as soon every bit yous boot your PC.

change-keyboard-shortcuts-windows-10-startup-folder

It'southward a piffling bit of endeavour, but information technology certainly works to change the default keyboard shortcuts in Windows. As a bonus, you've also learned the absolute basics of AutoHotKey – an extremely handy tool capable of running scripts much more complex than the ones we mention here.

If you want to stay knee-deep in Windows, meet our list of the all-time sandbox applications for Windows 10, and how to convert legacy BIOS to UEFI in the OS.

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