RecKey

RecKey is a lightweight and portable application that enables users to create, record and play keyboard macros. Although it may seem easy to work with, the tool comes packed with advanced settings that are suitable for more experienced users.

Since installation is not a requirement, you can drop the program files in any location on the hard disk and click it to run. An important aspect to take into account is that the Windows registry does not get new entries.

It is also possible to move RecKey to a USB flash disk or similar storage unit, so that you can run it on any machine effortlessly. Note that the source drive must not be write-protected, since the tool creates additional files during runtime, aside from saved macros.

The interface is represented by a small window where you can click the record button and start typing. Once you have stopped the session, you can save the macro to file.

Program settings can be accessed from the main application frame; a separate executable file is called. For example, you can input a key directly and repeat the stroke, input keyboard combinations (with Shift, Ctrl and/or Alt), special keys (e.g. Backspace, Break) and lock keys (Num, Scroll, Caps).

It is also possible to switch to other windows, set the delay time, trigger an external application for execution, specify the repeating number, display a message, adjust the macro typing speed, as well as point out text to copy to the Clipboard.

The application is not a concern to the computer performance, as it uses a very light amount of CPU and RAM. It has a good response time and works well on newer on operating systems, although it has not been updated for a long time.

No error dialogs were shown in our tests, and the tool did not hang or crash. Unfortunately, RecKey is not particularly intuitive. Plus, you cannot view applied settings before saving the macro to file.