I'm using the software AutoHotkey and simply make shortcuts to suit my needs. For example, Win + g opens Google Chrome, Win + e opens Excel, Win + # opens a calculator, Win + c opens Free Commander, etc. It can disable or override Windows shortcuts (Win + e would normally open Windows Explorer).
You can also integrate other useful commands such as emptying the trash can (I use Win + Del for this), maximizing the size of a window, pasting texts (when I type Win + s, it pastes the signature I use the most in my emails), replacing texts (when you type "btw" it can automatically become "by the way") or special characters (I use Ctrl + Shift + 1 to make "¡", Ctrl + Shift + 6 to make "¿" and others to use French quotation marks « ») and quite a lot of other things actually.
You can also combine a couple of commands together. This is the code I use to open Free Commander in full screen with Win + c :
Code: Select all
#c::Run "C:\Program Files (x86)\FreeCommander XE\FreeCommander.exe"
Run "C:\Users\something\Documents\maximize.ahk"
Return
Code: Select all
; 2011-04-30
; from http://xahlee.org/
; A toggle. maximize current window, or restor size if already maximized.
#NoTrayIcon
WinGetPos, winWidth, winHeight, , , A ; "A" to get the active window's pos.
if ( winWidth == -8 and winHeight == -8) {
WinRestore, A
} else
{
WinMaximize, A
}
ExitApp
Of course, you can choose almost whatever you want as a shortcut. The documentation page will be a must read to better use this nice software . Once you've set up each of your shortcut (which only takes about 15 minutes), the software can be launched at startup, deactivated when you want or reloaded in real time to update your "script" (just modify the default one that comes with the software: it's easy and works like a charm the first time you try it => just right-click on the software icon in the notification area and click on "Edit This Script" in the menu).
Hope you'll find this interesting and even useful to you . Have a nice day!