IDEA: Shortcut to color scheme change for use with battery run

[taybay]

I am a proud owner of a shiny new laptop, complete with Vista Premium.  However, I am finding that Aero is a battery drain compared to the other schemes.  I found batteryrun and thought it may be useful to be able to have my color scheme switch to Vista basic when I disconnect the AC power and then switch back to Aero when I reconnect it.  Unfortunately I can't seem to find any way to make the switch between schemes without going into appearance settings and changing it manually.  If you could find some way to make a file or two that can switch between two color schemes so that I can use them with batteryrun, I will love you forever!  Thank you =)

[taybay]

Nevermind! I learned how to use Autohotkey.  Yay 

[steeladept]

If it works, perhaps you would be willing to share for the rest who have not figured it out yet?  Or like me who have not switched yet, but will be forced to in the future.  Just a thought...

[taybay]

Alright.  It's really quick and dirty but it works.  I don't have a host so I'll just post the code.

Make an autohotkey script that looks like this for when the power is plugged in:

Code

Run c:\windows\system32\control.exe color
WinWaitActive, Appearance Settings
Send {up}{enter}

Make another script like this for when the power is disconnected:

Code

Run c:\windows\system32\control.exe color
WinWaitActive, Appearance Settings
Send {down}{enter}

Like I said, it's quick and dirty.  I'm a noob with autohotkey right now.  The appearance window pops up and it takes a few seconds to switch between themes, but it works.  Also, any color scheme saved to aero is lost when switching to basic and back.  I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure that the color scheme fix can be worked into the script.