How To Change Shortcut Keys On Windows 10

It's non besides complicated to create your own keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10. Just right-click the executable for whatsoever information technology is you want to create a shortcut to, click Properties, then enter your command into a box. (More on creating custom shortcuts here.)

Simply what if you want to change the default keyboard shortcuts that Windows x has foisted on you, such as a much more convenient shortcut instead of Ctrl + Shift + Esc to access the task manager or for Ctrl + Due south to use an culling search tool? For this, we need a tool called AutoHotKey.

Here we show you how to alter the keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10 using this not bad tool.

Run into AutoHotKey

So let'southward start with the bad news, which is that there is no native mode to alter the default keyboard shortcuts in Windows. Afterwards all these years, Microsoft still isn't willing to offer that uncomplicated bit of flexibility, presumably for fear that you'll want to use its shortcuts to access not-Microsoft apps … which is probably the case.

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

First, download AutoHotKey.

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

Side by side, we familiarize you with the nuts of the Auto Hotkey syntax you demand to know to change Windows shortcuts. Nigh Windows shortcuts use some combination of the beneath buttons, so this should be plenty to get you lot started.

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

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

Change Default Windows Shortcut

In one case yous've washed that, on the Windows desktop, right-click an empty space, then select "New -> Automobile Hotkey script," and call it 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 Director."

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

First enter the shortcut you desire to apply and follow this with ::Send, so a space and the shortcut you want your custom shortcut to replace. Because the Esc central is a command rather than a standard key, we put it in the special brackets.

With all your keyboard shortcut replacements, we recommend adding a second line to the script with the text #NoTrayIcon. This volition cake the Auto Hotkey tray icon from popping upwards, ensuring that the whole process stays in the background.

Change Default Windows Shortcuts Notrayicon2

Once your script is ready, close it and save information technology, then double-click the script to run it and exam your keyboard shortcut to see if it does what information technology should.

Change Programme Shortcut

Next, allow'southward try redirecting the default Windows Search shortcut Win + Due south to an culling search tool we like called Search Everything. Type in the following control:

#south::run            ,            "C:Programme FilesEverythingEverything.exe"

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

The :: is what separates the hotkey from the activeness you want it to perform. The bit earlier this is the hotkey we are entering (Win + S in this example), and the scrap after run is the command to open the Search Everything app.

change-keyboard-shortcuts-windows-10-notrayicon

Run Shortcuts at Windows Startup

Your shortcuts work as presently equally y'all boot Windows and movement the .ahk script to your system startup folder in File Explorer – C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartUp. Practise the same for all your keyboard shortcut replacements. That mode they'll all be working as soon as you lot boot your PC.

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

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

If you lot want to stay knee-deep in Windows, see 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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