HotKeyz

They say that the most used peripheral is the mouse, which is not hard to believe considering the appealing point and click functionality the mouse has to offer. But if you want to be more efficient, you must forget about the mouse and use the keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys help you achieve the same tasks you would by going through a series of clicks, but in a lot less time. That is what the appropriately named application HotKeyz does: it lets you create hotkeys for launching applications and accessing Windows functions. You can use these hotkeys to get things done rapidly and efficiently.

Since we’re talking about speed, downloading HotKeyz onto your computer will take but a moment (it’s a 1.3MB download) and installing it on your Windows-powered machine will take just a few clicks in the setup wizard. Getting started with HotKeyz is a simple process that takes little time too. In the application’s interface you have a list of hotkeys for launching applications and accessing Windows functions – things like launching Internet Explorer, accessing the Control Panel and muting the sound. You can easily edit the existing list of hotkeys and you can just as easily create some new hotkeys.

To create a hotkey of your own, just click on the “New” button from the upper left hand corner of HotKeyz’s interface. You can create hotkeys to launch applications, files and folders, open a calendar, shutting down the computer, access the control panel, mute the sound or change the volume, execute multiple commands, compose mail, and more.

The functionality HotKeyz has to offer is very much welcomed by anyone who wants to get things done rapidly and efficiently and by anyone who doesn’t want to have a lot of shortcuts on the screen. Instead of placing shortcuts on the screen or in the taskbar, you can use HotKeyz to set up hotkeys for the applications you usually access. This way, the desktop remains uncluttered and you can easily and rapidly access your applications.

The best thing about HotKeyz is that it is free. You can use the application for as long as you want and not part with your money. Cons:
The interface has an outdated feel, but considering that HotKeyz will run in the background, out of sight, that’s not too bad.