Unlock Hidden Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for Em and En Dashes
For years, writers and typography enthusiasts have longed for easier access to em and en dashes. Traditionally, these essential punctuation marks required memorizing Alt codes or relying on character maps. Now, Microsoft is quietly rolling out dedicated keyboard shortcuts, and you can enable them today.
These arrivals will be keenly welcomed by writers, pedants, and anyone who values efficient and elegant typography. Let’s explore how to unlock this feature and streamline your writing process.
What are Em and En Dashes, and why Use Them?
Before diving into the technical steps, let’s quickly recap what these dashes are and why they matter. Em dash (-): This versatile punctuation mark can replace commas, colons, or parentheses, adding emphasis or indicating a break in thought.
En dash (-): Typically used to indicate ranges (e.g., pages 10-20) or connections between two entities (e.g.,the New York-London flight).
Using the correct dash improves readability and adds a professional touch to your work.
Enabling the Hidden Shortcuts
While the latest Windows Insider builds contain the code for these shortcuts, they aren’t activated by default. You’ll need a handy tool called ViVeTool to unlock them. Don’t worry, it’s a straightforward process.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- First, download the ViVeTool utility from GitHub: https://github.com/thebookisclosed/ViVe/releases.
- Next, extract the contents of the downloaded zip file to a folder on your computer – for example,
C:ViVeTool. - Then, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. (Search for “command Prompt,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator.”)
- After that,type
cd C:ViVeTooland press Enter. (Adjust the path if you extracted ViVeTool to a different location.) - Now, type
vivetool /enable /id:58422150and press Enter.This command activates the em and en dash feature. - restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Using the New Keyboard Shortcuts
Once your computer restarts,you can start using the new shortcuts immediately.
Windows key + dash key (-) will produce an en dash (-).
Windows key + Shift + dash key (-) will produce an em dash (-).
These shortcuts will save you valuable time and effort, eliminating the need to memorize alt codes or hunt through character maps.
Crucial Considerations
Remember,this feature is currently available in the Dev and beta channels of the Windows Insider Program. It may take some time before it’s rolled out to all Windows users by default.
Also, ViVeTool is a powerful utility that allows you to enable hidden features. While generally safe, exercise caution and only enable features you understand.
This enhancement represents a significant quality-of-life enhancement for anyone who frequently uses em and en dashes. Enjoy the newfound efficiency and elegance in your writing!
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