Stop reaching for the mouse: learn shortcuts while you work
You know the shortcuts exist, but you can never remember them. So you go back to the menus, again and again. Hotkey Reminder is built for that problem. It shows the shortcuts on an on-screen keyboard while you work, so you learn them by seeing them in context instead of memorizing a list.
Quick facts
- Version: 1.1.0.10
- Platforms: Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows XP
- Price: $28.90
- Requirements: Intel Celeron 1.7 GHz, 512 MB RAM
Key features
See where each hotkey sits on a virtual keyboard
Press Win + Q and a keyboard image appears. It shows you where the keys of a shortcut are, so you aren't left guessing at a combination.
Only the shortcuts that apply right now
The image changes with what you press and which program is active. Press Ctrl and you see only the hotkeys that begin with Ctrl. If MS Word is running, you see the formatting hotkeys for Word. This keeps the screen uncluttered.
Learn by repetition, not by rote
You keep using your usual programs. Once the program has shown you a shortcut a few times, you start to remember it. Hold Ctrl, Shift and Alt together to find a combination quickly, since most hotkeys start with these. When you release the keys, the keyboard disappears and your chosen combination is applied.
Who it's for
It suits you if you spend your day in a few feature-heavy programs and want to speed up by learning their shortcuts. A typical example is formatting text in Word, such as underlining with Ctrl+U and justifying with Ctrl+E.
Pros and cons
- Pro: You learn in context, with no separate cheat sheet to study.
- Pro: It shows only relevant shortcuts, so the keyboard stays readable.
- Con: It is a paid program at $28.90.
- Con: The listed system support covers only Windows 7 and XP.
FAQs
How do I bring up the keyboard?
Press Win + Q. The image disappears when you release the keys.
Does it change the way I use my programs?
No. You use your programs as before, and Hotkey Reminder tells you the shortcut for the action you're about to take.
Will it show every shortcut at once?
No. It shows only the hotkeys that fit the keys you're pressing and the active application.
System requirements
- Intel Celeron 1.7 GHz or equivalent
- 512 MB RAM
- Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) or Windows XP