How to add/modify Windows+key

[army20]

I know how to add a shortcut with ctrl+alt+key but is it possible to make a windows key shortcut ?

Lets say Windows+S start the screen saver

[DarkShadows]

I know how to add a shortcut with ctrl+alt+key but is it possible to make a windows key shortcut ?

Lets say Windows+S start the screen saver

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know how to manually create such shortcuts in the registry (and if anyone does, please post!). However, I do know of two utilities that will allow you to set system-wide hotkey assignments that use the Windows Key (also referred to as "WinKey," pronounced win-key, not winky).

The first utility is Winkey, by Copernic. Winkey uses about 4 MB of RAM with a full list of hotkey assignments. I've used version 2.8 for about three years without issue on Windows XP.

Unfortunately, as of July 2005, Copernic has ceased development and support of Winkey; they no longer distribute Winkey at The Copernic website.

However, you can still download it from PC World.

The second utility is Directory Opus, by GPSoftware (known to registered users affectionately as DOpus). DOpus has its roots back in the days of the Commodore Amiga, when application developers strove to make their software small, terse, efficient, customizable, and powerful. DOpus was ported to Windows with version 6.x, and it's current version 8.1, is the most powerful Windows-based application that you will find anywhere...period. DOpus 8.1 functionality completely replaces the functionality of the following software:

• Windows Explorer (Windows Explorer is a complete joke next to DOpus)

• FTP client

• WinKey

• Various Photo viewing software packages (e.g. Ulead Photo Explorer, which I am a registered user of.)

• WinZip (however, not the WinZip self-extractor)

• And many others

DOpus uses multi-threading to increase program efficiency. The user doesn't have to wait for file copies to complete before continuing. It uses tabbed layouts, and dual file lists, and has too many features to list here.

A word of caution, DOpus isn't like Windows Explorer, which is so dumbed down that it does next to nothing; rather it is an extremely powerful application, in which the user may customize nearly everything about the software. But with great power comes great responsibility. DOpus is configured out-of-the-box to work similar to Windows Explorer. But to get real value out of it, I suggest new users read the manual, join the Yahoo user group, and participate in the User Resource Center online Forum. Also patience is recommended, you have a lot to learn. But once you get your feet wet, you'll really wonder why more software applications aren't built this well!

The DOpus feature you are most interested in is called "Customize". Within Customize, you will see a Keys tab, where you set your hotkey assignments. DOpus hotkey assignments could be used only within DOpus (for its internal functions), or system-wide across your operating system (for launching external programs). I like to have a Winkey assignment to launch all my heavy-hitting productivity software, like Word, Access, Outlook, Quicken, etc.

You can test drive a fully functional evaluation version of Directory Opus 8.1 free for 60 days. Afterward, a single license costs $85.00 Australian (about $65 US). This may seem expensive, but I promise that this one software package that provides incredibly more value than it charges for. The development team does participate online in the User Resource Centre, and they do take user suggestions (I've personally submitted several that have been added, or improved.) B) GPSoftware also sells two-PC and 5 PC license packages that are slightly discounted.

While you can find DOpus downloads at shareware sites like Download.com, don't rely on them, many such sites still have version 6.x. Instead, download version 8.x directly from GPSoftware.