Shortcutor

Shortcutor is an approachable Windows utility that comes packed with a predefined list of keyboard shortcuts pertaining to various OS actions, while letting users assign new hotkeys to commands, thus giving them faster access to favorite apps.

The full package is quickly unwrapped. As for the interface, Shortcutor prefers simple lines and an overall intuitive structure, making the program accessible to any kind of users, both novices and experienced.

As previously mentioned, the app contains a list of predefined hotkey commands for the PC. These include volume adjustment, shutdown or restart the PC using force, switching the task on the taskbar, as well as launching Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, some of these ready hotkeys overwrite global shortcuts, so it's better to start a new configuration from scratch.

New actions can be assigned by pointing out names, files to launch, and shortcut combinations. Apart from opening files, it is possible to access websites and basically run any command line, by following the model presented by the app. The configuration can be exported to file to import it at a later time, which also enables users to create multipurpose configurations and easily manage them.

In matter of program settings, the tool runs at every system startup by default and this option can be changed. It is possible to adjust the frame's transparency level, set up automatic update checkups on a daily or weekly basis, as well as to disable sounds when activating a shortcut.

The tool is light on the system resources and worked well during our evaluation, without triggering Windows to hang, crash or pop up error dialogs. However, it comes with some inconveniences as well. Apart from the overwritten global hotkeys we previously mentioned, the tool does not recognize pressed keys when assigning them. Instead, users have to manually type the commands. Shortcutor could definitely use some improvements.