AutoHotkey is a free, open source macro-creation and automation software utility that allows users to automate repetitive tasks. It is driven by a custom scripting language that is aimed specifically at providing keyboard shortcuts, otherwise known as hotkeys.
AutoHotkey_L is a fork of AutoHotkey which adds a long list of new features and fixes some bugs.
AutoHotkey_L is developed with Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express, which is a free download from Microsoft.
- Get the source code.
- Open AutoHotkeyx.sln in VC++ 2010 Express.
- Select the appropriate Build and Platform.
- Build.
Visual Studio 2010 or MSBuild in the Windows SDK may also work.
AutoHotkeyx.vcxproj contains several combinations of build configurations. The main configurations are:
- Debug: AutoHotkey.exe in debug mode.
- Release: AutoHotkey.exe for general use.
- Self-contained: AutoHotkeySC.bin, used for compiled scripts.
Secondary configurations are:
- (mbcs): ANSI (multi-byte character set). Configurations without this suffix are Unicode.
- (minimal): Alternative project settings for producing a smaller binary, possibly with lower performance and added dependencies.
AutoHotkeyx.vcxproj includes the following Platforms:
- Win32: for Windows 32-bit.
- x64: for Windows x64.
Visual C++ 2010 officially supports XP SP2 and later. AutoHotkey_L supports Windows XP pre-SP2 and Windows 2000 via an asm patch (win2kcompat.asm). Older versions are not supported.