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AutoHotkey script to open, restore or minimize, Window's and Chrome's Apps using hotkeys

AutoHotkey-script-Open-Show-Apps

AutoHotkey script to Open, Restore or Minimize any Apps using the hotkeys you want


Features

1) Support for Windows regular Apps, Windows Store Apps, Chrome Apps and Chrome Website Shortcuts (useful to directly open any web page)

2) Ability to switch between open windows of the same App pressing Alt + ` (key above Tab key) like in Mac OS. You can switch for example between multiple Chrome open windows


Utility Functions

a) OpenOrShowAppBasedOnExeName(AppAddress) - Useful for regular Window Apps

Example: F7:: OpenOrShowAppBasedOnExeName("C:\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe")


b) OpenOrShowAppBasedOnWindowTitle(WindowTitleWord, AppAddress) - Specially useful for Chrome Apps and Chrome Website Shortcuts

Example: F8:: OpenOrShowAppBasedOnWindowTitle("Gmail", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe --app=https://mail.google.com/mail/")


c) OpenOrShowAppBasedOnAppModelUserID(AppTitle, AppModelUserID) - Useful for Windows Store Apps (contained in the "shell:AppsFolder")

Example: F9:: OpenOrShowAppBasedOnAppModelUserID("Calculator", "Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App")


Installation

1- Download and install the AutoHotkey App here

2- Download the script file here

3- Edit the "SHORTCUTS CONFIGURATION" section in the script file (Notepad works) and create your shortcuts, setting your keys and the address to your desired App by using the above utility functions

For example, this line F7:: OpenOrShowAppBasedOnExeName("C:\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe") will open the Window's SnippingTool when you press the F7 key

4- Execute the script (Double click on it)

5- (Optional) In order to automatically load this script on System Start Up, you have to create a Window desktop shortcut for it and move it into the Windows startup folder, located exactly at "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup"

6- Enjoy


Extras

Find AppUserModelID

To get the AppUserModelID of a Windows Store App, you can use this comprehensive guide.