How to Change Hotkeys

Hotkeys are your fast lane to efficiency, letting you trigger commands with a quick keystroke—but what if the defaults don’t fit your style? Learning how to change hotkeys unlocks a world of customization, tailoring your tools to work the way you do. Whether you’re a gamer tweaking controls for the perfect play, a pro streamlining Excel shortcuts, or just someone craving a smoother workflow, adjusting hotkeys can make all the difference.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to tweak hotkeys step-by-step, covering Windows, Mac, and popular apps like Photoshop and Steam. You’ll master the process in no time, from simple system adjustments to app-specific changes, all with clear instructions. Why settle for awkward defaults when you can craft a setup that feels just right? Let’s dive into how to change hotkeys and take control of your keyboard like never before.

What are hotkeys?

Hotkeys, often called keyboard shortcuts, are combinations of keys that trigger specific actions in software or operating systems. Think Ctrl + C to copy or Alt + Tab to switch windows—they’re built-in time-savers that skip the need for mouse clicks or menu diving. From opening apps to executing complex commands, hotkeys put efficiency at your fingertips.

Their purpose is straightforward: Speed up your workflow. In games, they might fire off a spell combo; in Excel, they could format a spreadsheet instantly. But here’s the catch—default hotkeys don’t always match your habits or comfort. That’s where customization comes in.

Changing hotkeys lets you reassign commands to keys that feel intuitive, whether it’s swapping Q for E in a game or setting Shift+F to save a file. A personalized setup reduces strain, boosts speed, and aligns your tools with how you think. Whether you’re a coder, designer, or casual user, tweaking hotkeys means less fumbling and more doing. It’s a small change with a big payoff.

How to change hotkeys in Windows

You can change some system hotkeys in Settings, either in Devices > Keyboard (Windows 10) or Accessibility > Keyboard (Windows 11). But the options are frustratingly limited. Your best bet for an all-in-one solution is to install Microsoft PowerToys and use its Keyboard Manager.

1. Open PowerToys and go to Keyboard Manager.
2. Click Remap a Shortcut.
3. Click Add Shortcut Remapping.
4. When a new remap row appears, choose the input keys you want to modify in the “Select” column. Then, assign the new shortcut value in the “To send” column.
5. Click OK to save your changes.

You can set a hotkey to be specific to a single app, by putting the process name in the Target App field. Here are some common ones:

To find an application’s process name, you can use either PowerShell or Command Prompt:

• PowerShell: Open and type Get-Process, then press Enter.
• Command Prompt: Open and type tasklist, then press Enter.

PowerToys is the simplest and safest option for remapping hotkeys, as it works within Windows without requiring deep system modifications.

How to change hotkeys on Mac

Adjusting hotkeys on a Mac is straightforward and built right into the system. Go to System Settings > Keyboard, click Keyboard Shortcuts, and select a category like App Shortcuts or Mission Control in the sidebar.

To change an existing keyboard shortcut, double-click it. If an action doesn’t have a keyboard shortcut, it will say “none.”

You can also add a new hotkey for any item in the app’s menu:

1. Select App Shortcuts in the sidebar.
2. Click +.
3. Select the Application from the menu.
4. Enter the exact name of the menu item. Check in the app to make sure.
5. Click in the Keyboard Shortcut field and press the hotkeys you want to use for that menu item.

Check the menu in the app and you should see your new keyboard shortcut there.

How to change hotkeys in popular applications

Customizing hotkeys in your favorite applications can streamline your workflow and improve efficiency. Below, we’ll cover how to modify shortcuts in Microsoft Office, Adobe software, web browsers, and TextExpander.

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Windows

1. Open the Customize Keyboard menu:
   • In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
   • Click Customize at the bottom left.
2. Modify a shortcut:
   • Select a category (e.g., Home Tab).
   • Choose a command (e.g., Bold).
   • Click the “Press new shortcut” key field and enter your desired hotkey.
   • Click Assign, then Close to save.

macOS

1. Open Keyboard Shortcuts in Office:
   • In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, go to Tools > Customize Keyboard.
2. Edit a shortcut:
   • Select a command category from the left panel (e.g., Edit or View).
   • Click the command you want to modify.
   • Click inside the Press new keyboard shortcut field and enter a new key combination.
   • Click Assign, then OK to save.

Adobe Photoshop & Premiere Pro

Adobe applications provide built-in tools to customize shortcuts:

1. Open the keyboard shortcuts menu:
   • macOS: Go to App Name > Keyboard Shortcut.
   • Windows: Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
2. Modify or add a shortcut:
   • Locate the command you want to change.
   • Click the shortcut field and enter a new key combination.
   • Click OK to save your changes.
3. Export and import shortcuts:
   • In the shortcuts menu, use the Save As option to export your custom hotkeys for future use.

Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)

Most browsers allow you to modify extension-specific shortcuts:

• Chrome: Enter chrome://extensions/shortcuts in the address bar.
• Firefox: Open Add-ons > Extensions > Manage Extension Shortcuts.
• Edge: Go to Extensions and find Keyboard Shortcuts under settings.

TextExpander

TextExpander uses Snippets instead of traditional hotkeys, allowing you to expand text using short abbreviations. However, you can customize certain shortcuts and expansion settings:

1. Modify the global hotkey for TextExpander:
   • Open TextExpander Preferences.
   • Go to the Hotkeys tab.
   • Click the shortcut field and enter a new key combination.
2. Enable or disable inline search hotkeys:
   • In the Hotkeys tab, customize the shortcut for Inline Search to quickly access snippets without opening the main app.

By customizing hotkeys in these applications, you can work more efficiently and tailor shortcuts to fit your workflow.

Tips for customizing hotkeys

Customizing hotkeys is a game-changer when done right. These practical tips will help you tweak them effectively:

• Keep it simple: Stick to combos you can hit easily—like Ctrl+letter or Option+number. Complex four-key mashups (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F) might slow you down or strain your hand. Test Cmd+S over Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+S for Save, and feel the difference.
• Avoid conflicts: Check existing shortcuts before assigning new ones. Reusing Ctrl+C in Windows overwrites Copy—use Ctrl+Shift+C instead. Most apps (like Photoshop) warn you, but double-check in system settings too.
• Group by task: Assign similar functions to nearby keys. Map Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, Ctrl+3 for related Excel macros (e.g., format, sum, chart). It’s intuitive and speeds up muscle memory.
• Test and tweak: Run your new hotkey after setting it. If Ctrl+J feels off for jumping in a game, swap it to Shift+J. Adjust until it clicks—literally.
• Document changes: Jot down custom combos in a note. Forgetting Ctrl+Shift+Q means rechecking AutoHotkey or app menus later. Stay organized, and you’ll master your setup fast.

Conclusion

Mastering how to change hotkeys puts you in charge of your tools, turning clunky defaults into a personalized powerhouse. Whether you’re remapping Windows with PowerToys, tweaking Mac shortcuts in System Settings, or fine-tuning your favorite apps, this guide has laid out the steps to make it happen. Each adjustment brings your workflow closer to perfection, saving time and easing frustration.

With simple tweaks, you’ll speed through tasks, from data crunching to gaming, all on your terms. The tips here ensure your changes stick, avoiding pitfalls like overlaps or awkward combos. You’ve got the know-how; now it’s time to act.

Pick a tool—your OS, an app, or a game—and tweak one hotkey today. Feel the difference, then build from there. Changing hotkeys is a small step with big rewards, and it’s easier than ever to make your keyboard work for you.