Using left Control key as left mouse button replacement

[Grant_Bailey]

I'm trying to use the left Control key as a left mouse button replacement. Code tried so far:https://autohotkey.com/board/topic/2820 ... rd-hotkey/
1. (From online documentation)

Code: Select all

~LControl::LButton
Return

2. (From https://autohotkey.com/board/topic/2820 ... rd-hotkey/)

Code: Select all

~LControl::
	Click Down Left
	Send {F5}
	KeyWait Control
	Click Up Left
Return

Both of these seem to work the same. Neither works exactly the same as a left mouse click, however. The main difference is that a selection is not cancelled when a new selection is made. For example, if I select one file on the desktop, and then select another, the first file remains selected. Normally in Windows this behaviour only occurs when the Control key is held down while making the selections.
I tried to clear the previous selection using the 'F5' technique mentioned at https://autohotkey.com/board/topic/5054 ... -explorer/ but was not successful.
I realise that I could use other keys to emulate the left mouse click however, the Control key is the most convenient. I would use the Alt key if I were able however, in some applications (e.g. Adobe) the original function of the Alt key remains and interferes with the new function.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[eelrod]

Does removing the tilde ~ help?

[Grant_Bailey]

Yes it does! Thanks eelrod.
Could I ask one more thing. Is it possible to completely disable the existing function of a function key (such as Alt or Control) in all applications. I've found, for example, that using Control as the left mouse button in this forum does not work if I try to select this text box.
Thanks again.