Use Autohotkey. The scripting language is non standard and can be difficult to learn, but if all you're wanting to do is reliably launch programs, its simple. Plus you can base shortcuts off the Windows key! Use following sample script and modify it to your needs. (Lines starting with ; are comments.)
;win + alt + e ... unload ipod
#!E::
run d:\Downloads\Apps\deveject\eject ipod.bat
return
;win + w ... launch winamp
#w::
run c:\program files (x86)\winamp\winamp.exe
return
;win + a ... launch AS400
#a::
run C:\Program Files (x86)\IBM\Client Access\Emulator\Private\1.ws
return
;win + Shift a ... launch AS400 Printer
#+a::
run C:\Program Files (x86)\IBM\Client Access\Emulator\Private\3.ws
return
;win + ctrl + Shift a ... launch 2nd AS400
#^+a::
run C:\Program Files (x86)\IBM\Client Access\Emulator\Private\2.ws
return
Save this as a .ahk file on your desktop, install autohotkey and run it.
Every time you press any key combination, AutoHotkey will scan this script. If it matches any of the key combinations that preceed a ::, it will execute the next command. If the return statement is missing, the AHK will continue to scan the script for matches after executing your statement. The key combinations are described below.
# = Windows Key
+ = Shift
^ = Control
! = Alt
You can use these in any combination with the letters of your keyboard. One combination I find extremely useful is as follows.
; ALT Backtick ... ctrl f4
!`::
Loop, parse, RcvCtrlW, `,
{
IfWinActive %A_LoopField%
{
sendinput ^w
Return
}
}
sendinput ^{f4}
return
; win Backtick ... alt f4
#`::
sendinput !{f4}
return
This is Alt + ` and Win + `. When this script is running and I press alt + `, the script sends ctrl + F4. Win + ` becomes alt + F4.
Autohotkey is basically its own programming language. I have scripts set up that simulate "Rocker Gestures" system wide. I have GMail like shortcuts for my email. If you spend the time to learn some of its tricks, you can get nuts with it. Lifehacker has a whole bunch of useful scripts for Autohotkey. Have Fun!
AutoHotkey could be used to automate the encapsulating the whole process you need to undertake in a single hotkey that will go and toggle the checkbox for you, unless someone writes special software for you this would be the only way to accomplish that task.
Either automate it through a script or get rid of the acceleration... ;-)
Best Answer
As I mentioned in my comment above, the window is a "tool window", which
For some reason, a few VLC Media Player windows appear as tool windows that don't have focus. There doesn't seem to be a way to activate them with the keyboard without using some helper program.
One possible solution is to find an Alt+Tab replacement that will list tool windows. I found an AutoHotkey script that might work, but will require you to install AutoHotkey and modify a script. Here are the steps involved:
Find the following text in the file and delete it.
Save the file.
After the modified AltTab.ahk script is run, pressing Alt+Tab will bring up a new window switcher that lists tool windows. Here is what it looks like:
Ideally, VLC Media Player should be updated to either not use tool windows, or at least give them focus. You or your friend might try discussing the problem on the VideoLAN forums, perhaps other users have found better workarounds or solutions. For example, I found the following threads that report the same issue with the "Go To Time" box and show a bug report has been filed: