James asked for the script I use. It's actually very simple and doesn't take advantage of any advanced features of AutoHotkey at present. Here it is:

#w::Run iexplore

#h::Run "C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\Help 9\dexplore.exe" /helpcol ms-help://ms.vscc.v90 /LaunchNamedUrlTopic DefaultPage /usehelpsettings VisualStudio.9.0

#p::Run %comspec% /k ""C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\VC\vcvarsall.bat"" x86,C:\

#y::Run "C:\Program Files\TextPad 5\TextPad.exe"

#z::Run "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriter.exe"

#x::Run "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe"

#a::Run "C:\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe"

#o::Run "%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe",C:\

^#p::Run "C:\Utils\BIN\elevate" -k %comspec% "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\VC\vcvarsall.bat"

#Left::WinMinimize A

#Right::WinMaximize A

#Up::WinRestore A