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Miscellaneous Software

Become a Keyboard Power User with Global Hotkeys

SUMMARY: HotKeyz lets you set up global hotkeys to run applications, access Control Panel entries, reboot the computer, and more.

Tired of relying on the mouse to perform common tasks in Windows and wish you could keep your hands on your keyboard? HotKeyz, a freeware application from Skynergy, lets you assign keyboard shortcuts to accomplish all sorts of tasks including minimizing windows, executing applications, muting the sound (useful if you don't have a multimedia keyboard), rebooting or shutting down the computer, opening web browsers to a particular web page, and much more.

While some other applications also support the creation of global hotkeys, HotKeyz lets you define keystrokes that perform multiple functions. For example, one hotkey can eject media, empty the Recycle Bin, and hibernate the machine.

Configuring global hotkeys with HotKeyz

Other configuration options include running the application on Windows startup, toggling an icon in the System Tray area of the Taskbar, whether or not the program should automatically check for updates, and choosing to display a list of hotkeys by right-clicking the tray icon if visible.

More information and download links are at the following address:

* HotKeyz: http://www.skynergy.com/hotkeyz.html

This tip was written regarding HotKeyz v2.7.7.0 running on a Windows XP system. Features, information, and screenshots for other versions / operating systems may vary.