The need to pause the game to switch gear or use an item is my number one complaint about skyrim. I've stuck with my illusion/sneak attack assassin simply because I can do everything with invisibility in one hand and a dagger in the other. I have tons of other character types I want to play but the stupid pausing 10 times during each fight just ruins it for me.

Is it possible to make hotkeys that don't pause the game? I'm fine with having to use a different button for each 2 hand combo:

1) sword 1 / shield
2) sword 1/ sword 2
3) sword 1/heal
4) heal/shield
etc.

It's most likely a paused hotkey is hard coded, but we will not know till the set is released.

You can just hover mouse over the item in the favorites and press the number you want to put the item/spell/shout/thing to.
This only works for one item at the time though

And it always put the spells in the left hand first, then right hand (if you press it twice)

but weapons always go into the right hand, and get replaced if you press another weapon.

And shields always go to the left hand

It works great for everyone else.. except Dual Wielders.

The hot key system really need to remember which hand the weapon was in when you hot-keyed it. Lets hope it will be patched.