News

AutoIt (and AutoItX) v3.2.10.0 released (25th November, 2007) (History)

! NEW with AutoIt v3.2.10.0 - Now with 64-bit support!

Recent changes: 64-bit and Unicode support. Windows Vista UAC support and Regular Expressions.
AutoIt executables and setup files are now digitally signed (10th Mar, 2006)
AutoIt mousemats and mugs available!

Introduction

AutoIt v3 is a freeware BASIC-like scripting language designed for automating the Windows GUI and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages (e.g. VBScript and SendKeys). AutoIt is also very small, self-contained and will run on all versions of Windows out-of-the-box with no annoying "runtimes" required!

AutoIt was initially designed for PC "roll out" situations to reliably automate and configure thousands of PCs. Over time it has become a powerful language that supports complex expressions, user functions, loops and everything else that veteran scripters would expect.

Features:

Easy to learn BASIC-like syntax
Simulate keystrokes and mouse movements
Manipulate windows and processes
Interact with all standard windows controls
Scripts can be compiled into standalone executables
Create Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
COM support
Regular expressions
Directly call external DLL and Windows API functions
Scriptable RunAs functions
Detailed helpfile and large community-based support forums
Compatible with Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003/Vista
Unicode support
Digitally signed for peace of mind
Works with Windows Vista's User Account Control (UAC)

AutoIt has been designed to be as small as possible and stand-alone with no external .dll files or registry entries required making it safe to use on Servers. Scripts can be compiled into stand-alone executables with Aut2Exe.

Also supplied is a combined COM and DLL version of AutoIt called AutoItX that allows you to add the unique features of AutoIt to your own favourite scripting or programming languages!

Best of all, AutoIt continues to be FREE - but if you want to support the time, money and effort spent on the project and web hosting then you may donate using the link to your left in the menu.

Take me to the downloads page!

Create GUIs

AutoIt v3 will also allow you to create some complex Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) - just like those below!

Whats New?

AutoIt v3 has a completely different syntax to AutoIt2 so old scripts are not compatible. However, AutoIt2 will continue to be supported and downloadable. Both AutoIt v3 and v2.64 can be installed on the same machine together without any problems and you can keep your old scripts intact. AutoIt v2 uses the .aut extension and AutoIt3 uses .au3. There is rarely a need to rewrite a working v2.64 script for v3.

AutoIt v3 has the same concepts as previous versions with windows titles and text and keyboard and mouse simulation but has many new features:

Controls

Directly get information on and interact with edit boxes, check boxes, list boxes, combos, buttons, status bars without the risk of keystrokes getting lost. Even work with controls in windows that aren't active!

Language Upgrades

"Proper" numbers, unlimited-length strings, complex expressions, if statements, select, while loops, for loops, do loops, functions, arrays, excellent string handling (over 25 functions!) - the list goes on. Everything you need to make your automation routines as painless as possible. Yes, this is a GUI automation language but the syntax in v3 is powerful enough for general purpose scripting. Old versions of AutoIt were often referred to as "not a proper language". Not any more.

Key and Mouse Simulation

Much time has been spent optimizing the keystroke and mouse simulation functions to be as accurate as possible on all current operating systems. The mouse functions also look more "human" in this version and can even be used to create slick demo scripts. All the mouse and keyboard routines are highly configurable both in terms of simulation "speed" and functionality.

Window Management

In addition to the "title/text" AutoIt v2 way of accessing windows you can also access windows by their class names and handles. As usual you can expect to move, hide, show, resize, activate, close and pretty much do what you want with windows.

And much, much more.

You'll probably want to go to the downloads page right now...

Books Featuring AutoIt

Here are books on administration and scripting that feature AutoIt (in some small way :) ). If you have a book that features AutoIt in any way and would like to see a link here then drop me a mail.

AutoIt v3: Your Quick Guide (Andy Flesner, O'Reilly)

Admin Scripting Pic Full Description

This guide teaches you the foundations of the AutoIt v3 language. You will learn about variables and includes, graphical user interfaces, user-defined functions, and conditional and loop statements. You will then apply what you have learned in examples related to the system administration field.

Windows Admin Scripting Little Black Book (Jesse M. Torres, O'Reilly)

Admin Scripting Pic Full Description

Shows you how to perform Windows XP and 2003 management and administrative tasks using powerful scripts for just about every important task imaginable. It covers ways to implement these scripts in an everyday environment automating repetitive tasks, and features example scripts on every new topic which you can easily modify or combine to perform myriad tasks.

[Jon: The book is focused on VBScript but lots of different languages and scripts are looked at, including a few pages on AutoIt2 and AutoItX]