How To Use AI To Write Custom Windows Programs (#Windows10)

How to Use AI to Write Custom Windows Programs and Scripts

*Transform your Windows experience with AI-generated automation tools*

A few weeks ago, I demonstrated how to remove AI from Windows 11, which might have given the impression that I'm against artificial intelligence. That's not the case at all. My only issue is with AI being implemented where it doesn't belong—like forced integration into the operating system itself.

However, AI as a tool is incredibly useful, and it's almost unsettling how powerful it can be when used properly. Today, I'll show you how to harness AI to create custom programs and scripts that can manage and modify your Windows installation in ways you never imagined possible.

 Understanding What AI Actually Does

Before diving into the practical applications, it's important to understand what AI is and isn't. AI doesn't actually "think" in the way we understand thinking. Instead, it uses massive language models for pattern recognition to respond to queries—essentially like autocomplete on steroids.

Rather than using reason, AI creates relevant responses based on the language model it was trained on. For AI to truly think or reason, it would need consciousness and subjective experience, which it doesn't have. It simply calculates and predicts based on your input.

That said, the algorithms and models used to train modern AI have become so sophisticated that they can easily fool you into thinking you're communicating with a sentient being. Other times, it can sound as confused as your drunk uncle at family dinner.

Setting Up Your Development Environment

For this tutorial, we'll be using AutoIT, a scripting language similar to BASIC that's popular among computer technicians for automating tasks. While I'll focus on AutoIT, the same principles apply to any programming language—you could use these methods to create batch files or PowerShell scripts.

 Installing AutoIT

1. Visit autoitscript.com and download the latest version

2. Run the installer with mostly default settings

3. **Important change**: Select "use native 64-bit tools by default" instead of the default 32-bit option

4. Set it to "edit the script" when opening files (recommended for development)

The reason for choosing 64-bit is crucial for registry-modifying programs, which we'll create later.

 Choosing Your AI Platform

For this tutorial, I'm using Grok because it's powerful and free (requiring only an X/Twitter account). However, these principles work with any AI model:

- ChatGPT

- Claude

- Microsoft Copilot

- Any other conversational AI

The free version of Grok has query limitations (limited queries every 2 hours), but it's sufficient for following this guide.

 Creating Your First AI-Generated Program

Let's start with a practical example: creating a program that switches between Windows 11's context menu and the classic context menu.

 The Initial Request

Simply tell the AI: "Create an AutoIT script that will change the Windows 11 context menu to the classic menu."

The AI will generate the complete code and provide:

- The full program code

- Explanation of what it does

- Instructions on how to use it

 Compiling and Testing

1. Save the generated code with a `.au3` extension

2. Right-click the file and select "Compile Script (x64)" for 64-bit compilation

3. Run the resulting executable

*Note: Registry-modifying programs must be compiled as 64-bit applications. Windows segregates registry access for 32-bit programs, which would prevent the script from working correctly.*

 Refining Your Program with Iterative Prompts

The beauty of AI-assisted programming is the ability to refine your program through simple requests:

 Adding Toggle Functionality

"Make a button to switch between the Windows 11 context menu and the classic context menu."

Adding User Control

"Add a checkbox for restarting Explorer."

Optimizing Behavior

"Only restart Explorer when switching to the classic menu. Restart is not necessary when going to the Windows 11 menu."

Improving the Interface

"Move the restart Explorer checkbox to an options menu and add a button to manually restart Explorer."

Each iteration builds upon the previous version, creating increasingly sophisticated functionality with minimal effort on your part.

 Advanced Example: Creating a Tic-Tac-Toe Game

To demonstrate AI's versatility, let's create a game:

"Create a tic-tac-toe game in AutoIT that uses nine buttons and changes the buttons from blank to X or O depending on moves, then declares a winner once three in a row is detected."

 Enhancing the Game

- "Make the buttons fill the screen and add a reset button to start a new game"

- "Make the game a quarter the size and make the X blocks blue and the O blocks red"

 Handling AI Mistakes and Debugging

One of the most fascinating aspects of working with AI is that it makes mistakes—just like humans do. When errors occur:

1. Copy the error message

2. Paste it back to the AI

3. Let it analyze and fix the problem

The AI will often:

- Identify the specific issue

- Explain what went wrong

- Provide corrected code

- Sometimes apologize for the mistake

 Real-World Applications and Possibilities

The potential applications are virtually limitless. During my research, I experimented with various programs, including:

- A Linux bash script that scrapes Craigslist for deals and cross-references prices on Amazon

- A fully functional Tetris clone complete with a leaderboard

- Various Windows customization tools

- System administration utilities

 Important Considerations

 Variability in Output

Interestingly, asking for the same program multiple times yields different implementations:

- Different approaches to the same problem

- Varied user interface designs

- Different error handling methods

- Sometimes even different programming styles

 The Learning Process

This variability is actually beneficial—it exposes you to different programming approaches and helps you understand various ways to solve the same problem.

 Security and Best Practices

Always review generated code before running it, especially for programs that:

- Modify system settings

- Access the registry

- Require administrator privileges

- Interact with sensitive system components

 Getting Started with Your Own Projects

Ready to create your own AI-powered programs? Here's how to begin:

1. **Choose your platform**: Set up your AI interface (Grok, ChatGPT, etc.)

2. **Install development tools**: Download and configure AutoIT or your preferred programming environment

3. **Start simple**: Begin with basic functionality and iterate

4. **Test thoroughly**: Always test programs in a safe environment

5. **Document your process**: Keep track of successful prompts and approaches

 The Future of AI-Assisted Programming

This technology represents a fundamental shift in how we approach software development. Instead of needing years of programming experience, anyone can create functional programs by simply describing what they want in plain English.

The implications are profound:

- Faster prototyping and development

- Lower barriers to entry for programming

- More time for creative problem-solving

- Ability to focus on functionality rather than syntax

 Conclusion

AI-assisted programming isn't just a novelty—it's a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your ability to customize and control your computing environment. Whether you're a seasoned developer or complete beginner, these techniques can help you create sophisticated programs with minimal traditional coding knowledge.

The key is to approach AI as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement for human creativity and problem-solving. Use it to handle the technical implementation while you focus on defining the functionality and user experience.

Try creating your own programs and experiment with different approaches. The only limit is your imagination and ability to communicate your ideas clearly to the AI.

*What programs will you create? Share your experiments and results—the possibilities are truly endless.*