Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SharpKeys VS SmartWindows.app

Compare SharpKeys VS SmartWindows.app and see what are their differences

SharpKeys logo SharpKeys

SharpKeys is a utility that manages a Registry key that allows Windows to remap one key to any...

SmartWindows.app logo SmartWindows.app

Auto arrange all your app windows, whether on one screen or many with a single click!
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02
  • SmartWindows.app Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-23

SmartWindows eliminates the overhead of manual set up and arrangement of desktop apps through smart restoration capabilities. It is a feature-rich productivity tool for Windows 10 & 11. It makes your Windows smarter by giving you enhanced capabilities and more hands at work. SmartWindows is an excellent productivity app that allows you to manage user profiles, browsers, and multiple displays efficiently.

Whether you are a student or a software engineer, a researcher or a project manager, a content creator, or a gamer, SmartWindows assists each role with its advanced functions.

How does SmartWindows work?

  1. Download and install SmartWindows on Windows 10.
  2. Make app arrangements on your desktop screen.
  3. Save the screen configuration into a SmartWindows profile.
  4. Restore the profile whenever you need.
  5. The browsers and apps will be auto-restored and auto-arranged with just one click.

Benefits of SmartWindows

  • • Save time every day.
  • • Get started on work with just one click.
  • • Increased productivity at work.
  • • No manual arrangement of apps.
  • • Optimized system performance by distributing work on multiple profiles.
  • • No need to remember browser restoration steps for each browser separately.
  • • An efficient work environment with 6 displays and unlimited profiles.

SharpKeys

Website
github.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

SharpKeys features and specs

  • Open Source
    SharpKeys is available on GitHub, which means it is open source. This allows users to inspect the code, contribute to development, or customize it for their needs.
  • Free of Cost
    SharpKeys is entirely free to use, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a commercial license.
  • Simple User Interface
    The interface is straightforward and easy to use, which makes the process of remapping keys simple even for non-technical users.
  • Registry-Based Remapping
    SharpKeys makes changes directly to the Windows registry, ensuring that the remapped keys work across all applications without the need for additional software running in the background.
  • Minimal Resource Usage
    Because SharpKeys modifies the registry rather than running a constant background process, it uses minimal system resources.
  • Portability
    Once the registry changes are made, SharpKeys does not need to remain installed on the system, making it a lightweight, one-time-use tool.

Possible disadvantages of SharpKeys

  • Windows Only
    SharpKeys is designed to work exclusively on Windows operating systems, which limits its usability for users on macOS, Linux, or other platforms.
  • Limited to Registry
    The tool operates by modifying the Windows registry, so it cannot handle complex remapping scenarios that need real-time processing, such as conditional key mappings.
  • No Advanced Features
    SharpKeys lacks advanced features found in more sophisticated key remapping software, such as macro recording, multi-key remapping, or application-specific profiles.
  • Requires Admin Rights
    Since changes are made to the Windows registry, administrative privileges are required, which might be restrictive in some organizational environments.
  • Potential for Errors
    Incorrect registry changes could potentially lead to system instability or errors, especially for users who are not familiar with the Windows registry.
  • Reboot Required
    For registry changes to take effect, a system reboot is necessary, which can be inconvenient for users needing immediate results.

SmartWindows.app features and specs

  • Auto-Restoration and Auto-Arrangement
    SmartWindows help you auto-arrange the apps you opened last time at exactly the same position on the screen as you saved. Auto-adjust the apps on your desktop screen using SmartWindows with one click.
  • Microsoft Office File Support
    SmartWindows reopens MS Office files such as Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Project, Notepad, and Wordpad. It provides auto-arrangement support and restores applications at same position in a single click.
  • Multi-Browser & Multi-Tab Support
    It helps restore browser tabs of Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge all at one with a single click. SmartWindows keeps the browser’s tab history and URLs in each browser window separately.
  • Multiple Displays
    SmartWindows supports up to 6 displays. It remembers the window size and display position of each application on multiple displays. It helps you work efficiently on multiple monitors.
  • Profile Management
    SmartWindows supports unlimited profiles. It helps increase productivity by creating multiple profiles. Each profile remembers the desktop apps, their window size, and display position on the screen.
  • Work Zones
    You can create your own work zones against each task and project to work efficiently. SmartWindows restores the work zones automatically, saves your time, and increases your productivity at work.

Analysis of SharpKeys

Overall verdict

  • SharpKeys is generally considered a good tool for users who need an easy and effective way to remap keys on Windows. It has a straightforward interface and does not require advanced technical skills to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It is also open-source and has a supportive community on GitHub, which contributes to its reliability and improvement over time.

Why this product is good

  • SharpKeys is a utility that allows users to remap keys on their Windows keyboards. It modifies the Windows Registry to achieve this, which is particularly useful for users who want to change the function of a specific key, disable a key, or swap keys to better match their personal typing preferences or overcome keyboard limitations.

Recommended for

    SharpKeys is recommended for Windows users who need to customize their keyboard layout, such as programmers, writers, or anyone who frequently uses specific key combinations. It is also suitable for users who want to disable keys that are accidentally pressed often, such as Caps Lock or Insert, as well as those who want to swap keys for ergonomic reasons or due to a damaged key on their keyboard.

Analysis of SmartWindows.app

Overall verdict

  • Overall, SmartWindows.app is a valuable tool for individuals who need streamlined management of their digital workspace. It can significantly enhance the workflow for users who juggle various tasks and helps in maintaining an organized desktop environment.

Why this product is good

  • SmartWindows.app is considered good due to its ability to simplify multitasking for users who often work with multiple applications and windows. It provides features like automatic arrangement, restoration of desktop layouts, and support for multiple profiles, which can help improve productivity and efficiency. It also supports both Windows and macOS, making it a versatile choice for users on different operating systems.

Recommended for

  • Professionals who frequently switch between different workspaces or applications
  • Users with multiple monitors who want to maintain a consistent layout
  • Individuals who require quick access to specific sets of apps or files for different tasks
  • Anyone looking to improve their personal productivity by reducing the time spent arranging windows

SharpKeys videos

[Windows] Changing Modifier Keys Using SharpKeys | Reassigning Modifier Keys & SharpKeys Tutorial

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

SmartWindows.app videos

SmartWindows Demo

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Get Windows 11 Features on Windows 10

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SharpKeys and SmartWindows.app)
Automation
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Windows Tools
29 29%
71% 71
Office & Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SharpKeys and SmartWindows.app

SharpKeys Reviews

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SmartWindows.app Reviews

  1. Excellent app

    This is just the app I needed to fix my browser and tabs crashing issues. It works well and saves time so that I can focus on my work. Highly recommended!

  2. Practical and smooth

    Such a handy app! Highly recommended if you're tabaholic like me.

    👍 Pros:    Smooth|Lightweight|Extremely useful
  3. John glover
    · Data Scientist at ThikInternational ·
    Other Features

    Very helpful software for windows 10.

    👍 Pros:    Quick support...|Professional

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys seems to be a lot more popular than SmartWindows.app. While we know about 52 links to SharpKeys, we've tracked only 4 mentions of SmartWindows.app. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SharpKeys mentions (52)

  • Shortcut for rotating canvas by 15° left or right without a mouse
    I don't like using my mouse while drawing and I couldn't find how to do this anywhere, but luckily when I was about to give up I achieved it! So, for this you'll need a program called SharpKeys. You can download it here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Caps Lock Behaviour Disabled in Gnome
    Sharpkeys can swap keys, the readme says as much: > Things that SharpKeys will do: > ... > Allow you to swap two keys with each other - e.g. You can swap Left Windows with Left Control and vice versa I do have a vague recollection of Sharpkeys previously saying that it couldn’t, but that I tried and it worked. Long time since I last used Windows though. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Total Commander
    > Total commander isn’t FOSS. I'm aware of that. There are lots of FOSS equivalents, though. Including, I believe, on Windows. Wikipedia lists 23 of which I think -- haven't checked -- the majority are FOSS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_manager#Orthodox_file_managers > Ironically windows 11 can’t do vertical taskbars. True. Easily fixed with Explorer Patcher, though. Which, ironically, is FOSS. > And... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Learn AutoHotKey by stealing my scripts
    Remapping Capslock to Control: Windows: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys Ubuntu Linux (don't know about other Linuxes): /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc
        key  { [ Caps_Lock  ] };
    . - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Setup Media Key shortcuts
    SharpKeys: available in the Microsoft Store. Or you can get it here: https://www.randyrants.com/category/sharpkeys/ or here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

SmartWindows.app mentions (4)

  • Microsoft Windows Notepad App got a Visual Refresh for Windows 11
    Notepad alongside MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is also supported by SmartWindows for both Windows 10 and 11. SmartWindows allows its users, to work smartly and achieve their work goals while maintaining productivity. For instance, researchers, programmers, designers, and writers who need to work on different applications can easily do that while using SmartWindows. It allows the user to create a profile and save... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Technology allows you to not spend time on tasks that can be done automatically
    SmartWindows is providing all the above-mentioned features. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Good Old days :)
    You can try SmartWindows and no need to keep your tabs open. You can open them instantly with SmartWindows whenever needed. Read more about other features of SmartWindows. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • How to Reopen Closed Tabs In FireFox
    When you are managing multiple projects and have opened multiple browsers to do organized browsing, you are highly vigilant about the URLs you have opened. As it is very difficult to remember the useful web pages that can help you out in performing tasks, it is crucial to make sure that you have them all the time. SmartWindows help you increase productivity at work by reopening the closed tabs of multiple browsers... Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SharpKeys and SmartWindows.app, you can also consider the following products

Karabiner - Karabiner, previously called KeyRemap4MacBook, is a very powerful keyboard remapper for Mac OS X.

Desktop Restore - MIDI-OX is the world's greatest all-purpose MIDI Utility.

Key Manager - ATNSOFT Key Manager, Key Remapper, Text Paster

PingPoint - Never miss a Mark Zuckerberg signup to your app ever again

X-Mouse Button Control - XMouse Button Control (XMBC) allows you to create application and window specific profiles.

DocRaptor - As the only API powered by the Prince HTML-to-PDF engine, DocRaptor provides the best support for complex PDFs with powerful support for headers, page breaks, page numbers, flexbox, watermarks, accessible PDFs, and much more