AutoHotkey (AHK) is a free and open-source custom scripting language for Microsoft Windows, primarily designed to provide easy keyboard shortcuts (or 'hotkeys'), fast macro-creation, and software automation, to allow users of most computer skill levels to automate repetitive tasks in any Windows application. It can easily extend or modify user interfaces (for example, overriding the default Windows control key commands with their Emacs equivalents).
AutoHotkey was initially released by its creator, Chris Mallett, in 2003; it has subsequently become one of the most commonly used and commonly recommended pieces of software available for simple macro implementation. The installation package includes an extensive help file; web-based documentation is also available.
AutoHotkey scripts can be used to launch programs, open documents, and emulate keystrokes or mouse clicks and movements. They can also assign, retrieve, and manipulate variables, run loops, and manipulate windows, files, and folders. They can be triggered by a hotkey, such as a script that opens an internet browser when the user presses the relevant hotkey (key combination) Ctrl+Alt+I on the keyboard.
What is AutoHotkey?
AutoHotkey by AutoHotkey Foundation LLC is open-source Windows software in the system utilities category. It ranks 1st by popularity among system utilities in this catalogue. It is written in C++ and AutoHotkey language.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE installers for 64-bit and 32-bit Windows. It can be installed for the current user only, without administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.0.30, released on October 9, 2026. The version history goes back to November 24, 2019: 46 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 6.7 releases a year. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 7,756,103 times. The source code on GitHub (AutoHotkey/AutoHotkey) has 13,332 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 19 of our languages. On Windows it registers 1 file type, including .ahk. Similar programs include Bazel, AutoIt and osquery.
Project description on GitHub: “AutoHotkey - macro-creation and automation-oriented scripting utility for Windows.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Installs without administrator rights
- Frequent updates (about 6.7 a year)
- Large user base
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
In short: AutoHotkey is an open-source system utilitie tool for 64-bit and 32-bit PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is AutoHotkey safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
ECFB26B4CC90CD1E5440ED491CDE486E728541D63F3A4C24159E8DDAE77AB772· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 46 versions ›46 versions over 7 years · about 6.7 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0.30Latest | October 9, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE32-bit EXE64-bit EXE32-bit EXE |
| 2.0.29 | October 3, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE32-bit EXE64-bit EXE32-bit EXE |
| 2.0.28 | September 12, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE64-bit EXE32-bit EXE32-bit EXE |
| 2.0.27 | August 28, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE32-bit EXE32-bit EXE64-bit EXE |
| 2.0.26 | May 4, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE64-bit EXE32-bit EXE32-bit EXE |
| 2.0.24 | April 21, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE32-bit EXE64-bit EXE64-bit EXE |
| 2.0.23 | April 5, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE64-bit EXE64-bit EXE32-bit EXE |
| 2.0.22 | March 21, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE64-bit EXE64-bit EXE32-bit EXE |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id AutoHotkey.AutoHotkey -echoco install autohotkey.portable -yAutoHotkey_2.0.30_setup.exe /silentRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- AutoHotkey Foundation LLC
- Category
- System utilities
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/AutoHotkey/AutoHotkey
- Written in
- C++ and AutoHotkey language
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, 32-bit
- Installer
- EXE
- Version
- 2.0.30
- Released
- October 9, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- April 30, 2021
- Versions listed
- 46
- Updates / year
- 6.7
- Chocolatey downloads
- 7,756,103
- GitHub stars
- 13,332
- GitHub forks
- 1,194
- winget ID
- AutoHotkey.AutoHotkey
- Chocolatey package
- autohotkey.portable
File types it opens (1)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is AutoHotkey free?
Yes. AutoHotkey is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is AutoHotkey safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install AutoHotkey with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can AutoHotkey be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does AutoHotkey run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit and 32-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of AutoHotkey?
The versions page lists all 46 versions with links to their official installer files, back to November 24, 2019.
Can I use AutoHotkey without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to AutoHotkey?
Bazel, AutoIt, osquery, Simplenote and CopyQ. The alternatives page compares them.
