autohotkey Panel - Autohotkey-based GUI for common Windows elements

[Joonikko]

During the summer I worked at a small IT shop doing basic installations of computers for clients. Since 99% of the computers went to random places, things such as volume licensing or AD weren't an option for easy installation and setup.

 

Microsoft kept rearranging the Control Panel & Settings application in every update, so it was pretty infuriating to try to do anything and had to keep searching for basic settings,  so I decided to create a simple program/GUI in Autohotkey. I call it Panel, the missing GUI for Windows.

Source code and compiled exe's are available in the Github repository

It's made with Autohotkey and the installation functionality uses the Chocolatey package manager.

 

Features

- GUI with buttons to quickly access settings, folders etc. (that do not constantly move or rearrange. Hint hint, Microsoft)
- Ninite-style GUI for installing applications via Chocolatey
    - To use the installation feature, you need to have Chocolatey installed or install it with clicking the CMD- or PS Install buttons, which will run the command to install Chocolatey.
- KDE-style alt+drag window moving and resizing. Original script by Jonny from Autohotkey script showcase

 

Hotkeys

- Global
    - alt+§ WindowShade
    - alt + left/right mouse button  Move and resize windows
    - ctrl + q Send alt-F4
    - ctrl + h minimize window
- Windows Explorer
    - F1 up 1 directory
- Panel
    - F1 cmd.exe
    - F2 Run… -prompt
    - F5 reload Panel
    - F6 reload Panel as admin
    - F7 run WUMT.exe (Windows Update Minitool, needs to be in the same directory as Panel)
    - F8 Run portable CCleaner (needs to be in the same directory)
    - F9 Windows Update
    - F12 Open Folders panel that stays on top of other windows
    - alt + q UAC settings
    - alt + w Control Panel
    - alt + d Task Manager
    - alt + F1 Turn display off

 

I didn't originally make it to be published anywhere, but since a lot of other people are also having the same frustrations with Windows, I decided to release it.

Any comments, suggestions or improvement ideas?

[Princess Luna]

This is a very good concept, the more Microsoft forces the old control panel death for the new "Configurations" thing the harder it is to set things.

[Pachuca]

On 1/28/2018 at 11:02 AM, Joonikko said:

*snip*

I'm already familiar with the new settings and features, but this is awesome. Thank you for sharing. 

Edited January 31, 2018 by wkdpaul

[TAHIRMIA]

This is a great idea, will definitely follow the repo to see the progress on this

[WkdPaul]

On 1/28/2018 at 11:23 AM, Pachuca said:

I'm already familiar with the new settings and features, but this is awesome. Thank you for sharing. 

Please do not quote long posts like this, it makes it VERY difficult for mobile users to browse a thread. I have edited your reply

[Coldblackice]

On 1/28/2018 at 8:02 AM, Joonikko said:

During the summer I worked at a small IT shop doing basic installations of computers for clients. Since 99% of the computers went to random places, things such as volume licensing or AD weren't an option for easy installation and setup.

Microsoft kept rearranging the Control Panel & Settings application in every update, so it was pretty infuriating to try to do anything and had to keep searching for basic settings,  so I decided to create a simple program/GUI in Autohotkey. I call it Panel, the missing GUI for Windows.

Source code and compiled exe's are available in the Github repository

I didn't originally make it to be published anywhere, but since a lot of other people are also having the same frustrations with Windows, I decided to release it.

Any comments, suggestions or improvement ideas?

This is fantastic! I know this is a bit late, but thanks a lot for sharing this. Brilliant idea putting this together. Are you still working on it by any chance?