Hotkeycontrol Review – Take Control of Your Keyboard

very good
key review info
application features
  • Custom hotkeys for files, apps, folders, and websites
  • (6 more, see all...)

In most cases, it's pretty easy to tell hardcore PC users from the casual ones. One will be impatient and remarkably fast at using the keyboard, while the other will take his time to move the cursor on the desktop, open right-click menus, and run apps.

We can all agree that keyboard shortcuts simplify everything, especially when it comes to repetitive tasks. Hotkeycontrol is designed for this purpose: it allows users to establish hotkeys for any file, folder, program, or website, as well as some system utilities and power options. It is easy to configure and wrapped in a comfortable UI, targeting rookies and experienced keyboard users alike.

License type, installation, interface

The trial version can be run for 15 days for free and there are no features locked during this time. Once this period is over, users can either uninstall Hotkeycontrol or purchase the full package for $29.95 / €23.26.

The only notable part of the installer is that it offers to set up Hotkeycontrol for all PC users or just the current one. It is quickly unpacked.

At startup, the app creates an icon in the taskbar notifications area that lets users quickly configure settings, pause and resume hotkey monitoring, consult the help manual, as well as exit Hotkeycontrol via the right-click menu. Left-clicking this icon shows all current actions and their shortcuts.

The configuration window has a clean and intuitive structure and it is split into several tabs: for launching or opening files, adjusting the volume and brightness, managing window and system shortcuts, recording and running macros, and applying plugins.

Set hotkeys for files, folders, apps, and websites

Hotkeycontrol can run programs by specifying executable files via the classical file browser (command lines are supported and optional). Likewise, it can open files or folders and launch web pages in the default browser. Users can create up to twenty different keyboard shortcuts and must save the changes to be able to execute commands.

An important aspect that should be mentioned is that it is capable of overwriting some pre-existing global hotkeys if asked to, such as Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Z, but this does not work for everything (like Ctrl+Alt+Del). In addition, the application automatically detects and forbids duplicate hotkeys. If some shortcut cannot be assigned to a command because it triggers another predefined action, users may resort to the alternative hotkey setup (open the right-click menu) to select the keys with the mouse (Win, Ctrl, Alt, Shift). Any shortcuts can be easily cleared to make room for new ones.

Set hotkeys for several system tools

The secondary tab enables users to specify hotkeys for increasing, decreasing, and muting the system volume and monitor brightness, as well as for playing/pausing, stopping, and selecting the next and previous track within a media player. When adjusting the volume or brightness, the tool shows a Mac OS X style picture.

The third tab covers shortcuts designed for general window aspects of an application. Hotkeycontrol can be asked to close, hide, show, maximize, and restore the current window, make it stay on top of other frames, activate and deactivate translucency, as well as to minimize the current or all open windows.

From this area it is also possible to create hotkeys for powering off, suspending, restarting, hibernating, or locking the workstation, activating the screensaver, showing the Hotkeycontrol panel with currently set commands (same as left-clicking the tray icon), and for closing/ejecting the disc tray.

Create and run macros for repetitive jobs

As previously mentioned, the software utility integrates a feature that makes the hotkey configuration process a little more flexible. Rather than focusing on fixed, linear commands, it lets users capture macros with keyboard and mouse actions, including movements, clicks, and presses.

This function comes in handy for building scripts with commands to execute automatically for more complex, yet repetitive tasks. For example, in addition to launching a word processor, the tool can write a couple lines of text, save changes, and exit, all while the workstation is unattended. All that users have to do is perform the exact actions they want to be mimicked by Hotkeycontrol.

They can write a macro display title, make it play at maximum speed, as well as capture either keyboard and mouse activity, or just keyboard actions. Once created, the macro can be tested, cleared, or saved, and labeled with a keyboard shortcut.

Set up plugins and remap the keyboard

The utility offers support for several plugins, and two of them are integrated: an autocomplete system for words and a screenshot grabber for the full screen or active window (save as JPG or BMP). More plugins can be downloaded for free from the developer's website. Up to 20 plugins can be set up at a time with keyboard shortcuts.

Last but not least, Hotkeycontrol gives users the possibility to change the layout of their keyboard by simply selecting a key and replacing it with another key.


The Good

The application worked smoothly on Windows 8.1 Pro during our tests and its compatibility extends to older OS editions, including XP and Server versions. It quickly committed changes and did not hang, crash, or pop up error messages.

It is very simple to use even by novices. Plus, it shows helpful hints throughout the interface and contains a complete help manual.

Users can define hotkeys to open files or folders, launch websites or programs (with or without command lines), adjust the system volume level, monitor brightness, as well as control media playback, windows, and power options.

Macros can be recorded with keyboard and mouse activity for more complex, repetitive tasks, while Hotkeycontrol's functionality can be enhanced via plugins. The keyboard layout can be re-routed. All actual commands can be examined by just left-clicking the tray icon.

CPU and RAM consumption was low in our tests.

The Bad

It would have been useful for Hotkeycontrol to show warnings when attempting to reassign hotkeys already set to global commands.

While the macro recording feature improves versatility when it comes to performing more complex commands, this is not advanced enough for power users. Hotkeycontrol's main characteristic is simplicity, which means that it does not offer the possibility to build scripts with logical structures (e.g. open X program. If already open, switch to its window).

The full version seems a bit too expensive.

The Truth

Hotkeycontrol is a practical software utility for anyone preferring to work with keyboard shortcuts to rapidly perform commands rather than relying on the mouse. The beauty of it is that it can be handled with ease by casual users who do not have the technical know-how.

NOTE: You can also check out our previous review for Hotkeycontrol 6.6

user interface 4
features 4
ease of use 4
pricing / value 4


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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Hotkeycontrol (8 Images)

Remap the keyboard with Hotkeycontrol
View the list with currently set shortcutsSet files to open or apps to launchSet command lines when launching appsAdjust the system volume and monitor brightness, control media playback
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