How to Record Macros in Windows 10

Matthew July 25, 2019

We previously discussed How To Record a Screencast in Windows 10.

A macro is similar to a screencast that runs like a simple computer program, except it also records the sequence of selected options and events that accomplishes your objectives. Recording macros means you do not have to manually do things that you do regularly. You record a macro to automate the task to save you time and energy.

If a screencast is the recording of a movie that can be played back again and again, then creating a macro is the writing of the script that the actors work from. Playing the macro will force the actors to run through the entire scene. You can repeat the scene any time you run the macro!

So if you adjust some system settings in Windows while the macro is recording, you can then play the macro back again to readjust the exact same settings. It’s a great way to automate the boring stuff you do on Windows at times.

The Best Macro Recording Software for Windows 10

While some Windows software includes software-specific macros, you can record macros for any application in Windows 10 using TinyTask.

To use TinyTask, head over to the TinyTask page on Softpedia. To add the software to Windows 10, press the giant DOWNLOAD NOW button on that page.

There’s no setup wizard for this package. Double-clicking the tinytask.exe file will open the TinyTask toolbar shown below.

Recording a Macro with TinyTask

The TinyTask toolbar presents you with six options. The one we are interested in is how to record a macro. In this example, we will record a macro that switches your desktop theme to an alternative one. You can start recording your actions by pressing the blue “Record” button on the toolbar, or by hitting Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R.

Once you have started recording, right-click the desktop, click Personalize > Themes > Theme settings, and then select a new theme. Now you can stop recording the macro by pressing the “Record” button or hitting Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R again.

Repeat the first step above to revert back to your original theme. Then, press the “Play” button on the toolbar to play your macro; you can also play the macro by hitting Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P. Playing the macro will switch the theme to the one you selected when you recorded the macro.

Next, press the “Compile” button, and select a folder to save the macro to. Press the “Save” button to save the macro. The small message shown below will open. Click “OK.”

Playing Your Recorded Macro

Once you have saved the macro, you can reopen and play it back any time. Press the “Open” button on the toolbar and then select the saved theme to play it back. Press the “Play” button on the toolbar to play it.

Press the Options button on the TinyTask toolbar to open a submenu with some extra settings on it, as shown below. There, you can adjust the macro’s speed and further configure the hotkeys. Select Recording Hotkey or Playback Hotkey to select alternative keyboard shortcuts for those options.

A macro recording tool is one of those vital features that should already be included with Windows by default. But with TinyTask’s help, you can record macros in Windows 10 much the same way as it works in MS Office programs such as Word and Excel, reducing repetitive, boring tasks to a simple touch of the keyboard.

Many productivity experts say that automating the routine tasks will greatly increase your productivity even though there’s a time commitment to get the macros set up.

Remember, you can create a macro for pretty much any set of commands that you want. Changing your desktop theme is just an example that should be easy to follow. Macros come in handy for quickly opening multiple software packages, clearing your browser cache, or automating anything else you need to do many times in a row.

If you found other TechJunkies helpful, including these:

Do you use macros to automate tasks? If so, what do your macros do for you? Have macros helped your time on your computer more enjoyable and productive? Also, what macro recording software have you found to be the most useful? Please tell us about it in the comments below!