A lot of users use computers extensively for professional tasks. A lot of these tasks are repetitive in nature. The procedure for each of these tasks could be minutes long. These repetitive tasks can be recorded using Macro recording software and you can execute the tasks using a single key.
Free Keyboard Macro Recorder software
Most macro recording software products are free of cost. The benefit of these products is that you will save a lot of time by getting your keystrokes recorded and playing the sequence every time you need the same thing again. A good list of free keyboard macro recording software for your Windows 11/10 PC are as follows:
- Ghost Mouse
- Do It Again
- Macro Toolworks
- nMacro Recorder
- Pulover’s Macro Creator
- MacroMaker
- Perfect Automation
- AutoHotKey
- TinyTask
- EasyClicks Macros
1] Ghost Mouse
While there are a lot of Macro recording software products available online, we would start our list with the easiest to use one. Ghost mouse (works with keyboards too) comes with 2 buttons only – Record and Play. It allows you to record a sequence of actions on your computer and play them when required. You can load previously stored action scripts and check a log of the actions. The Ghost Mouse software can be downloaded from ghost-mouse.com.
2] Do It Again
If you are searching for more sophisticated software that can do more than just record and play actions, then Do It Again will be your thing. This software allows precise modifications for the pauses and procedures. Eg. You can pause an action by 0.25 seconds. Also, it has pre-defined procedures like running the antivirus scan, reading emails, etc. You can download it from spacetornado.com.
3] Macro Toolworks
Macro Toolworks comes in 2 versions. One is free and the other is paid. However, the free version is sufficient for macro recording and playback. It saves the recorded sequences, and you can download them as .exe files. Then simply run the files to play the sequence and get the task done. This procedure is somewhat different from the one offered by other Macro recorder tools. With the Macro Toolworks software, you can simply click on the .exe files to invoke the action instead of using the software every time. It can be downloaded from macrotoolworks.com.
4] nMacro Recorder
The nMacro recorder tool is a very light tool which does the basic job of recording macros. However, this tool stands apart from its rivals by introducing the option to manage the screen resolution while running the macros. Also, you can set a password to the macros you save so that they cannot be misused by others. The software can be downloaded from softonic.com.
5] Pulover’s Macro Creator
The Pulover’s Macro Creator is pretty sophisticated but needs knowledge of coding in Basic. However, it offers great flexibility to create macros even for actions which cannot be performed on the computer easily with a keyboard and mouse. You can download it from macrocreator.com.
6] MacroMaker
MacroMaker is a comprehensive keyboard macro recording software. It has a virtual keyboard of its own. However, the software is a little complex. You would have to learn a few codes and commands. In return, the tool will offer you much wider functionalities than any other software on this list. You can download this tool from cnet.com.
7] Perfect Automation
Perfect Automation is a very comprehensive tool of which the Macro recorder is just a part. This software has a lot of functions. Like other options in this list, the Macro Recorder tool does the basic functions of recording macros and later playing them. But this works in sync with the many other tools it has to offer. You can download the software from perfectautomation.com.
8] AutoHotKey
AutoHotKey is one of the most sophisticated keyboard recording software. It also helps with macro recording. The reason it is so sophisticated without being a paid software is that people donate to it. The AutoHotKey software is basically for running scripts which also allows running macros. It requires a lot of learning. You can download the software from autohotkey.com.
9] TinyTask
The problem with Macro recording software products is that you must open them each time to execute the actions. While there are options which allow you to save .exe files, the process becomes unfeasible when the number of macros is too many. In this case, you can use the TinyTask software. This opens a very tiny window from which you can execute the macros. The tool can be downloaded from thetinytask.com.
10] EasyClicks Macros
The EasyClicks Macros software is an easy-to-use tool for recording and playing macros. It isn’t simple but is relatively light. The tool has sufficient options for doing the job right for most computers. The software has also an option for managing coordinates. You can download it from easyclicksmacros.com.
What are the benefits of recording macros?
The main benefit of recording macros is that it saves time. Most professionals would perform at least a few tasks repeatedly. By creating macros, they could save so much time. Furthermore, time is money when macros are involved at work.
What are the disadvantages of macros?
The main disadvantage is that you cannot control a process once you have invoked a macro. Eg. If you set a macro to send an email every day, the email will be sent for sure. You can cancel the macro only before it performs the action. Not while it does.
