Extended Caplock Menu (Dopus Edition)

Tools
1

Hey y'all, I wanted to share this here, particularly because...

  • #1, I made it,
  • #2, to work with Directroy Opus! :grinning:

Extended Capslock Menu is a context menu I wrote in AutoHotkey v1.

It changes the way caplock operates by giving it 3 HOTKEY actions...

  • Single Tap will COPY
  • Double Tap will PASTE
  • Hold the key down will Open the Menu

You can toggle your capslock from the top menu item or with two built in hotkeys Ctrl + Capslock and Alt + Capslock

It's made to work on Selected\Highlight Text.

It will copy that text into the menu and from there you pick a menu item to...

  • save the selected text to a new text document
  • copy text to temp sticky note
  • search the web or your local machine (sends local search's to everything 1.5a)
  • modify CASE and text via formatting options
  • add simple code formatting around the text e.g. "quotes" or (parentheses) or %VarPercents%
  • append {+ add to clipboard}, multiply clips in a row, then save your clipboard as a text file
  • open none clickable web links in your web browser.
  • insert date and time
  • and more...

What makes this a special Dopus Edition?

After selecting a file path in a text document.
such as ... (and this will work from this post)
"C:\Program Files\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\dopus.exe"
or with system vars...
%programfiles%\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\dopus.exe
or "%systemroot%\notepad.exe"
and then from the Open\Run\Explore... Submenu.

The top 3 items, Open Folder, Run\Open file, & Copy File to Clipboard
will try sending their commands to Dopusrt before trying file explorer!

(copy file to clipboard will not work without Dopus. The other two might work with file explorer thou I haven't bothered to test them yet cause Dopus is just better :slight_smile: )

menu open DOPUS Edition_1062x736
menu open DOPUS Edition_1062x7361062×736 64.8 KB

A few more SCREENSHOTS

msgbox hotkeys_492x522
msgbox hotkeys_492x522492×522 18.7 KB

new sticky notes VSCodium_1453x604
new sticky notes VSCodium_1453x6041453×604 132 KB

menu date time LIGHT MODE notepad++_786x695
menu date time LIGHT MODE notepad++_786x695786×695 40.1 KB

RUNNING the menu

there are two options...

  1. Running Extended Capslock Menu.ahk file itself (recommended). If you do not have AHK installed I included the Portable Version in the download, just drag and drop the `.ahk' file onto the 'AutoHotkeyU64 - Shortcut.lnk' located in same folder.
  2. There's also an Extended Capslock Menu.exe for quick ease, thou ahks exes are limited with reading customizations of .ini files which I have not figured out. updateing software paths outside of their default install locations may not be recognized from the .exe

Addiontonally if you know AHK and want to edit the script yourself that can only be done through the .ahk

SETTINGS FILE

This menu will access a few optional 3rd softwares' in there default install locations, e.g. Dopusrt.exe, everthying64.exe, ditto.exe, etc.. (Ditto is a great clipboard manager, if y'all aren't using it you should check that too.)

All the 3rd party softwares are free, except for dopus, but if you're reading this here I dont need to talk you into it. :rofl:

If you have them installed somewhere else you have manually to update the path in the Extended Capslock Menu - GLOBAL SETTING.ahk file. Choose the Edit Settings File item from the Settings Submenu, it will open in Notepad, and look for the [PROGRAMS PATHS] heading, then copy\paste YOUR path to the 3rd party programs.

Links to any software used in the menu are on the about window.

If you are not using the other ones those menu items just won't do anything.

;*********IMPORTANT!!! *****************************************************
;************************* [PROGRAM PATHS] ******* IMPORTANT!!! ************
;*********IMPORTANT!!!******************************************************

ditto = C:\Program Files\Ditto\ditto.exe 

dopus = C:\Program Files\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\dopus.exe

dopusrt = C:\Program Files\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\dopusrt.exe

everything15a = C:\Program Files\Everything 1.5a\Everything64.exe

notepadpp = C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe

textgrab = C:\Program Files\Text-Grab\Text-Grab.exe

textify = C:\Users\%A_UserName%\AppData\Local\Programs\Textify\Textify.exe

xnviewmp = C:\Program Files\XnViewMP\xnviewmp.exe

A Note about AutoHotkeys use of System Vars
For some reason even though AHK is windows automation program it has its own use of System Vars.
If you have something installed in your %UserProfile% that path should be formatted with the AHK Var, %A_UserName%, as such...
C:\Users\%A_UserName%\The Rest of\Your Path.exe

DOWNLOAD @ GITHUB

For more info and to download visit the Releases Page on the Github repo I made for Extended Capslock Menu.

Any Feedback here or as a github issue would be appreciated. there a still a few small bugs I'm working out and learning about. Input would be helpful and check for updates if you start using this menu!

Cheers

  • Xavier
9 Likes
2

Dear Xavier, I decided to try your menu but i never used AHK before. download v.2 (as v.1 is depricated) and saw your script uses v.1
Why? )))

3

I stayed with v1 on this menu because the syntax is easier and even thou v1 is "deprecated" its had 10+ years of stable development, its less buggy.

Keep in mind this menu if only working with simple copied text in your clipboard, nothing advanced is happening in the background, so v1 if more than adequate for what its doing.

I have both installed in my computer, v2 should be able to run this without issue.

Also, you don't need to install AHK to run this, a portable version of AutoHotkey v1 is included in the download. Just drag and drop the .ahk on the shortcut right about it and it will run without any installation.

image
image1038×357 58 KB

The .exe will do the same but won't see customizations in the settings file until I learn some more about creating .ini files. That's on my todo list in a future update.

4

I've been working on this menu still. Its had a few updates sense posting here so if anyone is using it go get the newest bug fixes and new additions from the releases page on the github.

furthermore I want to gloat about loving dopus... here's an easy example why...

on the menu item to Copy [a selected] File\Folder...

using dopus its 11 lines of simple code... 4 of which are an error check to throw an option for explorer users. so 7 lines. and just 1 cmd made to dopusrt.exe. the tooltip is just fun fluff.

Try
 {
            Run, %dopusrt% /CMD Clipboard COPY FILE "%filetoclip%", , UseErrorLevel
            if (ErrorLevel)
            {
                throw ; poor lambs are not using the DOPE!
            }
            ToolTip, %filetoclip% ...`n... copied to your Clipboard with Directory Opus!`nPaste it anywhere you would normally would paste a File.
            Sleep, 2500
            ToolTip
	    return
}

I was about to stop here and leave it alone because it just worked like magic, but, its good to be inclusive? haha

SO NOW!!, for file explorer users.... its 61 lines with lots of errorlevel fuss that took hours bug check.

 catch ; If Directory Opus fails or is not installed, prompt the user to select a destination folder using COPY TO... popup
        {
            FileSelectFolder, destFolder, , 3, Select destination folder to copy to:
            if (destFolder != "")
            {
                if (InStr(FileExist(filetoclip), "D")) ; Check if selection is a directory
                {
                    SplitPath, dir, , lastFolder  ; Get the name of the directory
					lastfolder := RegExReplace(dir, ".*\\([^\\]+)\\?$", "$1")
                    ; msgbox, filetoclip:%filetoclip%`n`ndir:%dir%`n`nnamestem:%namestem%`n`nfilename:%filename%`n`next:%ext%`n`nlastfolder:%lastfolder%`n`nLine#: %A_LineNumber%
					
                    FileCreateDir, %destfolder%\%lastfolder% ; Create the destination directory if it doesn't exist
                    FileCopyDir, %filetoclip%, %destfolder%\%lastfolder%, 1 ; Copy the directory contents to the destination path
                    if (ErrorLevel)
                    {
                        ToolTip, Failed to copy directory:`n%filetoclip% to %destfolder%\%lastfolder%`n`nERR. Line#: %A_LineNumber%
                    }
                    else  
                    {
                        ToolTip, Directory copied to:`n%destfolder%\%lastfolder%
						
                    }
					sleep 2000
					tooltip
					restoreclipboard()
					return
                }
                else ; a file is selected
                {
                    FileCopy, %filetoclip%, %destFolder%\%filename%, 1 ; Copy file to destFolder
                    if (ErrorLevel)
                    {
                        ToolTip, Failed to copy file: %filetoclip% to`n%destFolder%\%filename%`n`nERR. Line#: %A_LineNumber%
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        ToolTip, File copied to:`n%destFolder%\%filename%
                    }
                }
                Sleep, 2000
                ToolTip
            } 
            else
            {
                ToolTip, Copy canceled by user.
                Sleep, 1500
                ToolTip
            }
			tooltip
            restoreclipboard()
            return
        }
    }
    else
    {
        ToolTip, ERR. File or Directory Not Found:`n%filetoclip%
        Sleep, 2000
        ToolTip
        restoreclipboard()
        return
    }
2 Likes
5

its been months sense I've made a peep on this little app...
If anyones is following or using it, go check out the updates on the ... releases page on the github. I've made a great deal of additions & improvements. I've been using and tweaking this daily for months. its awesome! :slight_smile: i should have started automation years ago.

6

I just found this last week from an update that listed it at the bottom... i love it but cant find a way to make it compatible with fastkeys (its like a gui for ahk i guess its dumbed down, but its what I was introduced to first that used Ahk) and I really dont like using the exe version. are you famliiar with Fastkeys at all?

7

Thanks!!!
If you like this and use this menu turn on the auto update check. been working on nice additions that i need to put on the github soon!

I use this now EVERYDAY! In multiple apps and ways :slight_smile:

I am a little familiar with fast keys. I've tried using a couple times... and ... i don't like it. it looks and sounds great but... its bad to navigate and is kinda buggy and restrictive. so i don't use.

Fastkeys did also introduce me to AHK which has lead me down a crazy, fun rabbit hole of learning how to program my own little tools such as this menu. the fast keys case menu, with its 6 menu items, is what what go me start writing ECLM.

I'm not sure how you want to it to interact with Fastkeys?? i doubt it they play well together. i uninstalled fast keys when it was interfering with my own scripts. its keyboard hooks were overriding mine.

I should add I'm a total amateur. only started trying to code anything about a year ago.

I've some others too. like Change Folder ICO, which wrote to work directly with Dopus.

8

this ones coming along nicely.

A live clipboard menu that be handle both, mixed, file paths and plain text at the same time!

can show it on it own or attached to the main.

clipboard menu live_2025-03-28__08-15-39PM__3840x2160
clipboard menu live_2025-03-28__08-15-39PM__3840x21602364×1140 193 KB

9

:fire: Great work on the Extended CapsLock Menu! Super handy tool!

Just two tiny things bugging me a bit:

  • Middle mouse vs QAP conflict :grimacing:: The middle mouse button trigger clashes with Quick Access Popup. Any way to let us remap the trigger? Like, maybe a diff key combo, modifier or setting option to disable that?
  • "Copy Failed" when no text :sweat_smile:: The error pops up if I open the menu without selecting text. Feels a lil harsh. Maybe just hide the error or show a nicer hint inside the menu instead?

error
error360×141 21.8 KB

1 Like
10

Yep total amateur here too, was hoping it wasn't going to be the blind leading the blind lol. I'm heading to your github now to check your updates cause I really like this menu you made. Good work man :+1:

1 Like
11

Thanks! I like it too.

Yes that button can be changed. I'm not as fancy as QAP, which I love too.

Are you using the newest version of ECLM?

The hotkey is in the -SETTI NGS.ini file. There's a menu option that will open it it notepad. It has to be changed manually in text.

Search for ~MButton and replace it with a key of your choice. There a key to the the symbols use by auto hotkey in the comments of the [global_hotkeys] section. Save and then reload ECLM.

its only line # 67: in the settings file, Extended Capslock Menu v.2025.03.05.exe-SETTINGS.ini

image
image448×104 4.64 KB

You can also delete ~mbutton. I set an alternate hotkey Ctrl+Alt+F3.

i no longer use that the middle button, myself, there's a third alt key i came up.. double click the right button on the mouse. everyone knows how to double lick the left button. never seen any use a double right click because it sometimes cause conflicts with the basic right click, as mine does occasionally, thou 90% its good to go.

i put a lot to read to read in the this window.

AutoHotkey's Modifier Symbols are...

Ctrl = ^
Shift = +
Win = #
Alt = !
;-------------------------

For a full list of {Special_KeyNames} such as ESC, Home, Mouse Buttons, Space etc... and their uses
visit the Docs page for reference.

You can use the menu to get you there. select this web address and choose " Visit Website [If a URL is Selected] " from the Find Menu our use the hotkey " Alt + Win + U "

 https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v1/KeyList.htm

image
image714×894 48.7 KB

12

And for the error. Do you have auto-copy turn on from the settings menu?

Or from using using the capslock key? --- Which has has been remap to copy on a single tap. Paste on double tap. Shows the menu when held down for a quarter second.

To toggle the caps lock state on\off use ctrl+capslock.

And noted. I want to change that error message. I don't get it often cause I'm used to my new key layout.

I'll put an alternate to the tray tip notification on my change list.

13

@slan
thanks for getting my attention with your issue... I've replaced they tray tips with a quick silent tooltip

also i did update two weeks ago.... that i completely forgot to upload!!!

so there's two, significant updates at once with the update i didn't forget to upload just now! :smiley:

14

Hey @xavierarmand, thanks a ton for the quick reply and updates! You've totally solved my issues with the options in settings.ini. The MButton feature is also a nice - it'll be super handy for folks not using QAP. ECLM seems to make so many tasks easier than QAP, with all these extra features.

The new features in ECLM Updates are a fantastic addition, also the new tool tip message for auto-copy is smart idea💡.

Really appreciate your help and hard work on this tool! :clap:

1 Like
15

Thanks!

QAP is a great inspiration to me and a great tool. Got me learning more about the power of AHKs menus. And I went in different direction. Wish I could program like Jean! Maybe someday, Im just stated, am still learning.

16

a solo snip off of ECLM i just wrote is Quick Color Menu, for saving and sending color code snippets.

its part of ECLM insert menu but i also made this its own app because i could see many theme tweakers, artist and designers find this useful on it own without it be attached to big context menu.

qcm
qcm663×824 27.3 KB

qcm-settingswindow
qcm-settingswindow809×1012 67.2 KB

1 Like
17

Nicely done! Thank you for making QCM available. It is indeed useful on its own without being attached to the big context menu, ECLM.

1 Like