Autohotkey script to hold down a key

If you need to hold down a key automatically on Windows 10, you can do it with a simple trick using built-in settings or third-party software. Essentially, you can use the Windows on-screen keyboard, enable a feature called "Sticky Keys," or use programs like AutoHotkey for more advanced needs. Let’s dive into the steps for each method.In this section, we’ll go through a few methods you can use to hold down a key automatically on your Windows 10 computer. We’ll start with the easiest option using built-in settings and then move on to more advanced methods involving third-party software.Step 1: Open the On-Screen KeyboardThe first step is to open the on-screen keyboard on your Windows 10 computer.Simply go to the Start menu, type "On-Screen Keyboard," and hit Enter. This will open the on-screen keyboard, which can be used to simulate key presses.Step 2: Enable Sticky KeysThe second step is to enable Sticky Keys from the Ease of Access settings.Press the Shift key five times in a row, and a prompt will appear asking if you want to enable Sticky Keys. Confirm to enable this feature. Sticky Keys will allow you to hold down a key without physically pressing and holding it.Step 3: Use AutoHotkey for Advanced NeedsIf the built-in options aren’t enough, the third step is to use AutoHotkey for more control.Download and install AutoHotkey from its official website. This tool lets you create scripts to automate key presses. Create a new AutoHotkey script and use a simple loop to hold down a key. For example, the script ^a::Send {a Down} will hold down the ‘A’ key when you press Ctrl+A.Step 4: Run Your AutoHotkey ScriptThe next step is to run your newly created AutoHotkey script.Double-click on the script file to run it. Your specified key will now be held down automatically according to the script you’ve written.Step 5: Disable Sticky Keys or Close AutoHotkeyFinally, if you want to stop holding the key down automatically, you need to disable the feature you used.For Sticky Keys, go to Ease of Access settings and turn it off. For AutoHotkey, right-click the AutoHotkey icon in the system tray and choose "Exit."After completing these steps, your key will be held down automatically, allowing you to perform tasks without manually pressing the key. This can be particularly useful for gaming, repeated tasks, or accessibility needs.Tips for Holding Down a Key Automatically on Windows 10Experiment with Built-In Features: Before downloading third-party software, see if built-in features like Sticky Keys meet your needs.Use AutoHotkey for Customization: AutoHotkey lets you create highly customized scripts, making it ideal for complex tasks.Keep Security in Mind: Only download AutoHotkey from its official website to avoid security risks.Save Your Scripts: Keep a backup of your frequently used AutoHotkey scripts for easy access.Test Your Setup: Make sure to test your setup to ensure that it works smoothly without interfering with other tasks.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I enable Sticky Keys on Windows 10?Press the Shift key five times and confirm the prompt to enable

The same action as Control + Click, or right-click, with your mouse.If you're using the numeric keypad, you can press Control + 0 instead.To press and hold the "mouse button," press M on the keyboard, or 0 on the numeric keypad. This will allow you to activate certain menus (e.g., the Trash menu). Since you can't type while using Mouse Keys, press Option 5 times to disable the feature. Alternatively, you can triple-tap the Touch ID button (if available), or press Option + Command + F5 and remove the checkmark from the feature.AdvertisementGo to in a web browser. AutoHotkey is a free scripting language available on Windows that allows you to create your own keyboard shortcuts. Assigning a key combination to click is quick and straightforward.If your mouse isn't working, use Mouse Keys to download, install, and configure AutoHotKey.Take a look at our guide on using AutoHotkey for general information on installation and scripting. Follow these steps to download the installation file:Click Download. It’s the green button in the center of the page. Download options will appear on the page.Click Download Current Version. This will download the installation file for the latest version of AutoHotkey. Double-click the file you downloaded to start the installation process.The file name will be formatted as “AutoHotkey_version number_setup.”Your downloaded files can be found in your Downloads folder by default. Follow the installation instructions to finish installing AutoHotkey.Express Installation will install AutoHotkey on your computer with the default configuration.When it's finished installing, you can click "Run AutoHotkey" to launch some of the documentation about AutoHotkey. Right-clicking on a blank part of your desktop will open a drop-down menu. This will open a list of programs you can create a new file for. This will create a new AutoHotkey script on your desktop. It will have an image of a white paper with a red “H” on it.You can rename the file while the default name is highlighted. For example, “Click Keyboard Shortcut.”Make sure not to delete the file extension “.ahk” at the end of the file name. Deleting it may cause the script to stop working. Right-click the new script. Then select Edit Script in the dropdown menu. The AutoHotkey script will open in Notepad. This script from the AutoHotkey documentation will allow you to press left Windows + right Control to left-click.[8] Start typing below the default AutoHotkey code. Note that each bullet point of

Hi @monolitho,Welcome to HP Support Community.Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.To repurpose the OMEN key on an HP OMEN laptop or keyboard and use it as a screen switch to turn the screen on or off with a single click, you'll need to follow a multi-step process. This involves remapping the OMEN key to a different function that can then be used to control the screen's power state. Here's a general guide on how to achieve this:Step 1: Identify the OMEN Key CodeFirst, you need to identify the scan code or key code that your system recognizes when you press the OMEN key. This can usually be done using key mapping software or by checking the system's event viewer for keyboard events. However, it's worth noting that the OMEN key might not send a standard key code that's easily remappable without specific software provided by HP or third-party key mapping tools.Step 2: Install Key Mapping SoftwareIf the OMEN key can be remapped, you will need to use key mapping software. For Windows, software like SharpKeys, KeyTweak, or AutoHotkey can be used. AutoHotkey, in particular, is very versatile and allows for scripting complex behaviors for keys. SharpKeys or KeyTweak: These tools provide a GUI for remapping keys. You can use them if the OMEN key is recognized and can be remapped to a different function directly. AutoHotkey: This is a more powerful tool that can run scripts to perform specific actions when a key is pressed.Step 3: Write a Script to Toggle the Screen (AutoHotkey Example)If you're using AutoHotkey, you'll need to write a script that toggles the screen on or off. Here's a simple script example that does this by simulating the press of the Win+P keys twice, which cycles through the display modes and can effectively turn off the screen if it's set to "PC screen only" initially:autohotkeyCopy codeOMENKey:: ; Replace OMENKey with the actual key or combination if needed Send, {LWin down}{P down}{P up}{LWin up} Sleep, 100 ; Wait a bit for the menu to appear Send, {P down}{P up} return Note: This script assumes that pressing Win+P twice will result in turning off the screen, which might not always be the case depending on your display settings. You might need a more sophisticated script that directly turns the screen off.Step 4: Set the Script to Run at StartupIf you're using AutoHotkey, you can compile the script into an executable and place it in your startup folder so it runs automatically when you log into Windows.Additional Considerations Direct Screen Control: For more direct control over the screen (e.g., using the Windows API to turn the screen off), you might need a more complex script or application. This could involve programming beyond simple key remapping. OMEN Command Center: Check if the OMEN Command Center (or HP System Event Utility) offers any native support for customizing the OMEN key. Some versions of the software might allow you to remap the key without needing

SummaryHold down a hotkey to turn your trackball into a scroll wheel!You can either set it to snap to the X-Y axes, or have it scroll along both axes at once to emulate 2D panning!You don't have to install AutoHotKey to use this - check the releases for a .exe download.Other people have written several great alternatives to this script, such as TrackballScroll.However, this script seeks to differentiate itself by implementing continuous scrolling motion, as opposed to stepped.SettingsSetting Your Hotkeys:Hotkey 1: What key to use as the hotkey.See the AHK docs for more information on how to format this.Only single keys (keyboard or mouse) can be used - no combinations or modifiers.If you end up accidently locking yourself out of your system, first use CTRL+SHIFT+ESCAPE to launch task manager and kill smooth_trackball_scrolling.exe. Then, run smooth_trackball_scrolling_reset.exe. This will reset all your settings back to default.Hotkey 2: A second hotkey, if you're using a 2 key mode. See below for more details.Formatted the same way as Hotkey 1.Setting Hotkey Mode:Mode: Provides various options depending on how you want things to work.MO (1 key): Smooth scrolling is active when Hotkey 1 is held, and inactive when Hotkey 1 isn't held. Hotkey 2 doesn't do anything.TG (1 key): Smooth scrolling is toggled when Hotkey 1 is pressed down. Hotkey 2 doesn't do anything.MO (2 key sym.): Smooth scrolling is active when Hotkey 1 and Hotkey 2 are both held.You can start holding the two hotkeys in either order.The original functionality of both hotkeys can still be used by tapping/holding the key individually.If you tap a hotkey individually, the tap action will be sent upon key release.If you hold a hotkey individually, the hold will start after a hold delay (configurable via Hold Duration).MO (2 key asym.): Smooth scrolling is active when Hotkey 1 and

I have scoured Google for an AutoHotKey script that actually works for a toggle key function, or for pressing a key once to hold it down and pressing it again to “let go of it”, and unfortunately none of the scripts I found worked, including the “definitive autofire thread” scripts and stickies like that, except for one script posted in the old forums by forum member, Exaskryz:Code: Select all$Shift:: ; The $ prefix should prevent this hotkey from being activated based on AHK-output.ToggleVar:=!ToggleVar ; if ToggleVar is 0 or undefined, it will be set to 1. If it is defined as anything but 0, it will be set to 0.If ToggleVar ; If ToggleVar is defined as non-zero Send, {Shift down}If !ToggleVar ; If ToggleVar is defined as zero (or undefined) Send, {Shift up}ReturnI have used the above to create a script for the game, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, a script that allows me to press Shift once for sneaking, and make it “held down” until I press Shift again, and it worked like a charm:Code: Select alltoggle = 0#MaxThreadsPerHotkey 2#IfWinActive, ahk_class Shadow of Mordor$Shift:: ToggleVar:=!ToggleVar If ToggleVar Send, {Shift down}If !ToggleVar Send, {Shift up}Return#IfWinActiveI thought I'd share the script here in case it can help others looking for this functionality, and sharing my experience of finding several examples that don't work. Hope this helps.