AutoHotkey is a powerful scripting language that allows you to automate tasks and customize your computer. One useful feature in AutoHotkey is the ability to draw a border around the active window. This can be helpful when you have multiple windows open and want to easily distinguish which one is currently active. In this article, we will guide you through the process of drawing a border around the active window in AutoHotkey V2.
Step 1: Install AutoHotkey V2
The first step is to download and install AutoHotkey V2 if you haven't already. You can find the latest version of AutoHotkey on the official website https://www.autohotkey.com/. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 2: Create a New AutoHotkey Script
After installing AutoHotkey V2, you need to create a new script. A script is a text file that contains AutoHotkey code. To create a new script, right-click on your desktop or any other folder, hover over "New" and select "AutoHotkey Script" from the context menu. Give the script a name, such as "DrawBorder.ahk".
Step 3: Open the AutoHotkey Script in a Text Editor
Once you have created the script, right-click on it and select "Edit Script" from the context menu. This will open the script in your default text editor, such as Notepad.
Step 4: Add Code to Draw Border Around Active Window
In the text editor, add the following code to draw a border around the active window:
#Persistent
SetTimer, DrawBorder, 100
return
DrawBorder:
WinGetPos, X, Y, Width, Height, A
WinSet, Region, 0-0 %Width%-%Height%
return
Let's break down the code:
- The
#Persistentdirective ensures that the script stays running even after the initial hotkey is released. - The
SetTimercommand sets up a timer that runs theDrawBordersubroutine every 100 milliseconds. - The
DrawBordersubroutine uses theWinGetPoscommand to retrieve the position and size of the active window. It then uses theWinSetcommand to set the region of the window to a rectangle with a top-left corner at (0, 0) and a bottom-right corner at the width and height of the window.
Save the script and close the text editor.
Step 5: Run the AutoHotkey Script
To run the AutoHotkey script, simply double-click on the script file you created. The script will run in the background and start drawing a border around the active window.
If you want the script to run automatically every time you start your computer, you can create a shortcut to the script file and place it in the "Startup" folder. To access the "Startup" folder, press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type shell:startup, and hit Enter. Then, copy the shortcut to the script file into the "Startup" folder.
Step 6: Customize the Border
If you want to customize the appearance of the border, you can modify the code in the DrawBorder subroutine. For example, you can change the color or thickness of the border by adding additional parameters to the WinSet command.
By following these steps, you can easily draw a border around the active window in AutoHotkey V2. This can be a useful feature for organizing and managing multiple windows on your computer. Have fun customizing your AutoHotkey scripts and exploring the various possibilities this powerful scripting language offers!
References
| Reference | Link |
|---|---|
| AutoHotkey Official Website | https://www.autohotkey.com/ |