ahk-scripts

Personal AutoHotkey v2 scripts for window and virtual desktop management on Windows.

Prerequisites

1. Download and install AutoHotkey v2.0 from https://www.autohotkey.com/ (make sure to pick the v2 installer, not v1.1).
2. Clone or copy this repository to a folder on your Windows machine.

Scripts

windowSwitcher.ahk

Adds hotkeys (Win+Shift+<key>) that switch to a running application, or launch it if it isn't running. Pressing the hotkey again while that app is focused cycles to the next window in the same group.

Programs are configured in the Programs map at the top of the file. Each entry maps a name to the ahk_ criteria used to find its window:

'Chrome', { criteriaType: 'ahk_exe', criteriaValue: 'chrome.exe' },

Hotkeys are registered near the bottom via mapKey(shortcut, program), e.g.:

mapKey('+#r', 'Chrome')

To add a new shortcut, add an entry to Programs and a corresponding mapKey(...) call.

Hotkey modifier symbols

Prefix one or more of these to a key name to build a shortcut string, e.g. '+#r' = Shift+Win+R:

Symbol	Modifier	Example -> Meaning
#	Win	#r -> Win+R
!	Alt	!r -> Alt+R
^	Ctrl	^r -> Ctrl+R
+	Shift	+r -> Shift+R
&	Combine two keys into a custom hotkey	a & b -> A and B held together
<	Use the left key of a modifier pair	<^r -> Left Ctrl+R
>	Use the right key of a modifier pair	>^r -> Right Ctrl+R
*	Wildcard: fire even if extra modifiers are held	*r -> R (with any combination of modifiers)
~	Passthrough: don't block the key's native function	~r -> R (native action still happens)
$	Force the keyboard hook (avoids Send re-triggering)	$r -> R

Modifiers can be combined, e.g. +#r (used throughout windowSwitcher.ahk).

Finding a program's ahk_class / ahk_exe with Window Spy

Window Spy is a tool bundled with AutoHotkey that shows the class name, exe name, and other details of whatever window is under your mouse. Use it to find the criteriaType/criteriaValue for a new Programs entry:

1. Make sure AutoHotkey is installed, then run any .ahk script (e.g. double-click windowSwitcher.ahk) so an AutoHotkey icon (green "H") appears in the system tray, near the clock.
2. Right-click the tray icon and choose Window Spy from the menu.
3. Click on, or just hover your mouse over, the window of the program you want to map. Window Spy updates live as you move the mouse.
4. In the Window Spy window, note the "ahk_class" value (for criteriaType: 'ahk_class') or the "ahk_exe" value (for criteriaType: 'ahk_exe') — either works, pick whichever value looks more stable/unique for that app.
5. Add a new entry to the Programs map in windowSwitcher.ahk using the value you copied, then add a mapKey('<shortcut>', '<name>') call for it.
6. Right-click the AutoHotkey tray icon and choose Reload to apply your changes.

virtualDesktopSwitcher.ahk

Adds hotkeys for navigating Windows virtual desktops (create, delete, switch to previous/next, jump to a specific desktop number). See the ; === key mapping === section in the file for the exact bindings.

startWindowSwitcher.ps1

A small PowerShell helper that starts windowSwitcher.ahk. Useful for launching the script automatically (e.g. from a shortcut, Task Scheduler, or the Startup folder) without having to double-click the .ahk file manually. Update the path in the script to match where you placed this repository before using it.

Running the scripts

• Manually: double-click a .ahk file (requires AutoHotkey to be installed) to run it. An AutoHotkey tray icon will appear while the script is active.
• Via PowerShell: run startWindowSwitcher.ps1 to launch windowSwitcher.ahk.
• At Windows startup: place a shortcut to the .ahk file(s) (or to startWindowSwitcher.ps1) in the Startup folder (Win+R → shell:startup), or create a Task Scheduler task that runs at logon.

To stop a running script, right-click its tray icon and choose Exit, or use Reload to apply changes after editing.