Chances are, you’ve already encountered hotkeys, perhaps without even realizing it. A prime example is the ubiquitous Ctrl+C command, which copies highlighted text or objects. Unlike shortcuts in life, which can sometimes lead to unexpected consequences, hotkeys are reliable tools designed to optimize your productivity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify hotkeys, exploring their benefits and practical applications. Moreover, we’ll show you how to create your own custom hotkeys, enabling you to work more efficiently than ever before. Get ready to revolutionize your computing experience and join the ranks of power users worldwide.
What are Hotkeys?
Basically, a hotkey is a combination of keys that perform a specific function when pressed together. he aforementioned Ctrl+C hotkey is usually followed by the Ctrl+V hotkey, which performs a paste function. Some hotkeys are universal, others may be OS-specific. Universal hotkeys are able to function on almost any OS. The copy and paste hotkeys can be utilized on most operating systems. Similarly, there are several hotkeys that you can use on Windows, Linux, and macOS. However, depending on the type of keyboard you have, the hotkeys may vary. The Alt key in most keyboards is substituted for the Command key on Mac devices. In the same way, some modern laptops and keyboards come with a Fn key. The Fn (function) key was designed for operating hotkeys. A few keyboards ship with a bunch of extra keys that you can customize as hotkeys. This comes in pretty handy, as you can create your own hotkeys.
How To Create Your Own Hotkeys
You can create custom hotkeys on most OSs. Naturally the process may vary depending on the OS. Follow these guides to create your own hotkeys on different OSs.
On Windows
The easiest way to create new hotkeys is to make use of PowerToys. PowerToys is an app designed by Microsoft to enhance the productivity of Windows. You can download the PowerToys setup through GitHub. Once installed, follow the steps below to create a custom hotkey.
Creating hotkeys for individual apps on Windows
Similarly, you can create hotkeys for launching individual apps on Windows without the help of PowerToys. Follow these steps to do so:
On macOS
macOS users have it easier than Windows in this case; there is a native setting for hotkeys. However, these hotkeys are only able to perform in-app functions. To access this setting, follow the steps below:
Creating all-purpose hotkeys on macOS
To create all-purpose hotkeys on macOS, you’ll need to make use of some apps. Apple’s own Shortcuts and Automator app can help you out here. Similarly, third-party alternatives to the Shortcuts app include Keyboard Maestro, Alfred, etc.
On Linux
The ability to create hotkeys varies on the version of Linux you are running. However, Linux being Linux, the hotkeys are more versatile and are able to carry out complex tasks. You can even run whole terminal commands using hotkeys. At any rate, to create and view your hotkeys on Ubuntu, the most popular Linux distro, start off by opening your system settings. You can just directly search for “keyboard” and click the first option in the Settings section.
Wrapping Up
Hotkeys, undoubtedly, have the potential to increase productivity and efficiency on a large scale. Carrying out the most mundane tasks has become simpler and faster, thanks to hotkeys. With the help of third-party apps, we can exploit hotkeys to perform complex tasks too. However, one should be cautious when setting up custom hotkeys. If they coincide with an existing one native to the app, it can end up creating a mess.
