Today, among the software developed for Windows-systems, you can find a huge number of applications that expand some of the functionality of the OS itself and the computers or laptops on which they are installed. One of these utilities can be called a small program HotKey. Not everyone knows what this application is (and some consider it a virus). Meanwhile, there is nothing complicated in understanding the purpose of this program. Further it is proposed to consider the main aspects of the functional set of this utility, as well as some issues related to the appropriateness of using this software on computers with Windows on board.
HotKey Related Utilities: what is it?
In general, to understand what this software is, just translate its name. This is a utility for configuring the so-called hot keys, providing quick access to certain functions of the system, as well as computers and laptops working under their control.
It is generally believed that, for example, the specialized utility ASUS HotKey is intended exclusively for laptops of this manufacturer. The official description says that this program significantly expands the possibilities of using the F1-F12 and Fn function keys.
This is not entirely true (it will be further understood why). In addition, for use on laptops, the application installer also installs a special driver (STK HotKey Driver), which is necessary for the fully functional operation of the software package. However, if you dig deeper, so to speak, the universal utility has much more features than it might seem at first glance.
HotKey: what kind of program is it in terms of application in Windows-systems?
To understand all the nuances, consider an application that is generally designed for Windows-systems, and not for some equipment of a particular manufacturer.
For example, the Windows HotKey software package allows you to reconfigure keyboard shortcuts to such an extent that after that the user simply does not recognize the system. You can set your own combinations for absolutely all processes, up to calling system services, launching applications, opening files, or even accessing Internet pages. Conveniently? Of course! But here it is worth considering that with a sufficiently large number of customizable combinations, it is easy to get lost in them, so such combinations will either have to be memorized or written down.
Basic application settings
This is a summary of the HotKey program. What is this application, figured out. Now let's dwell on the basic settings and parameters. After starting the application, the user sees one main window in which there are several buttons.
The main settings are the first two from the top: the program launch button and the hot combination settings button. Let's start with the configuration of the keyboard shortcuts.
After activating access to options, a window with predefined combinations will appear. You can view the action corresponding to a certain combination by selecting the combination of interest to you. Below there are three parameters: type of action, keyboard shortcut, and directly executed action. If desired, the settings can be changed.
If you want to add a new combination with the selection of a specific action, the corresponding button is pressed, after which it will be offered to choose which action will be performed. Suppose a user chooses to open a file. In the settings you will need to specify its location.
If an executable component is selected (for example, launching a browser), the browser will be launched. After assigning the keys, you must save the changes.
Program start and main processes
This is the HotKey utility. What kind of tool is this in terms of setting your own options for quick access to selected actions is understandable. But now, after all, it is necessary to make sure that the created combinations can be applied.
To do this, use the program start button, after which a corresponding notification will appear in the system tray that the application is in an active state. Please note immediately that the application with its background processes will be launched along with the operating system (its element is in startup).
In the "Task Manager" this utility corresponds to the HotKey Utility.exe process. You cannot exit the program or terminate the active executable process, since all the settings set by the user will be instantly disabled. If you look at the use of system resources, as a rule, the load is at zero, that is, an increase can be observed only at the moment when the established combination is used physically (by pressing keys). But still, it does not affect the operation of the entire system in any way.
How to remove the application from the computer?
As for the removal of this program, you can, of course, exit the application, terminate its process in the "Task Manager" and use the standard method. It consists of uninstalling from the program and component section of the Control Panel.
But with this approach, there is no guarantee that after removal, the system will not have any files, directories or registry keys created during the installation of the application. Therefore, in order to perform the most complete uninstallation, it is recommended to use highly targeted programs like Revo Uninstaller or iObit Uninstaller. Only after the normal deletion procedure, it is necessary to use in-depth or powerful scanning, and then delete all found residues using the additional file destruction function.
Afterword
That's it for the HotKey program. What kind of applet is it in terms of expediency of its use on computers? A moot point. If the user needs advanced hotkey settings, there is nothing wrong with leaving the application. However, do not forget that the Windows systems themselves, and many laptops, have a very wide range of predefined standard combinations. So, such software may not always be needed.