CODEWITHSUNDEEP
powershell
Caleb Taylor Bloo1147
Caleb Taylor Bloo1147

Reputation: 1

Powershell SendKeys No Input

I'm working on a dual pc stream setup and would like to use my elgato stream deck on my gaming pc for some specific functions. The only problem is, no obs control. I was combing through reddit and came across the suggestion to use SendKeys in powershell scripts to perform hotkey functions. I am able to connect the two computers through PSSession and run my script, but nothing happens. I have the application focused. Even when I just open a text file and run the script, nothing comes up. I don't really think this should be that hard should it? Any help would be appreciated.

$wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $wshell.SendKeys(']')

Upvotes: 0

Views: 1325

Answers (1)

postanote
postanote

Reputation: 16086

Continuing from my comment...

Sendkeys is a thing but can be really finicky, focus, timing issues, etc. GUI automation is not really PowerShell's strong suit. Custom tools like AutoIT, Selenium, etc., are better options.

With Sendkeys, you often must set delays to ensure focus before calling keystrokes.

YOu can also avoid the use of ...

New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell

... and use this...

Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms

Here are a few examples you can try.

# pops the WinKey Start Menu
Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms
[System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys]::SendWait('^{ESC}')

Or this way...

# Initialize a variable with the .Net namespace, then use it.
$SendKeys = [System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys]
$SendKeys::SendWait('^{ESC}')

# SendKeys to hold down keys
$SendKeys::SendWait('q(+%) + (+)q')

# Send commnad results to notepad - Note the sleep to wait for notepad to open, paste the content then select the file menu
Get-NetIPConfiguration | clip | notepad
Sleep -Seconds 1
$SendKeys::SendWait('^V')
Sleep -Seconds 2
$SendKeys::SendWait('%F')

Update as per our comments below:

SendKeys requires a GUI up and running. A GUI requires a logged-on, interactive user.

Upvotes: 1

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