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April 11, 2023

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Remapping 101: How to change your keyboard key output

Your PC or laptop keyboard doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. If you’re not a fan of certain key placements or find that you aren’t using some of your keys, you can rearrange the functions of your keys however you like. Most keyboards are laid out in the same way, but Windows 11 features  allow you to make the necessary adjustments to help you type more comfortably. Learn how you can remap your keys and change keyboard outputs on Windows 11 .

Why remap your keyboard?

If you’re used to a standard keyboard layout, you may not initially see the value in remapping your keys. Here are some common reasons for changing keyboard outputs:

• Typing on a foreign keyboard. If you want to type in any language besides English, it can be difficult to type seamlessly on an English-only keyboard. By switching your key functions, you can cater to different language settings.
• Using your keyboard for PC gaming. PC gamers rely on their keyboards to play their favorite games. Remapping your keys to best suit your gaming needs can improve performance and make your frequently used keys more accessible.
• Repurposing underused keys. Not everyone uses their keys the same way. If it seems like a key that you don’t often use is taking up valuable space on your keyboard, you can reassign its function to find a good use for it and increase productivity.

Popular QWERTY alternatives

You may notice that top row of letters on your keyboard, going left to right, spells QWERTY. However, there are other popular keyboard layouts that can help you type faster or more comfortably. Learn more about each layout and how they might benefit your typing:

• AZERTY. The AZERTY layout simply moves the output of the Q , W , and M keys. It is most often used in France and other surrounding countries.
• Dvorak. The Dvorak layout puts the most used keys in the middle row, which decreases finger movement. This typing method can help reduce strain in your fingers, which makes for a more ergonomic experience.
• Colemak. The Colemak layout offers a slight improvement on the Dvorak layout. It also places the commonly used keys in the middle row, but it keeps the useable features of the QWERTY layout intact.

How to remap your keys on Windows 11

The easiest way to change your keyboard functions on Windows 11 is to use the Keyboard Manager  utility. The Keyboard Manager is one of many utilities available in Microsoft PowerToys , which are a collection of productivity tools that allow users to customize their Windows experience.

How does Keyboard Manager work?

Once you’ve downloaded PowerToys onto your device, select Keyboard Manager and toggle Enable Keyboard Manager. You’ll find separate sections for remapping keys and remapping shortcuts, each of which can be adjusted to your liking. Some keys and shortcuts cannot be remapped in Keyboard Manager, and these limitations are highlighted on the platform. PowerToys must be running for the key mapping to work, so make sure you don’t close out of the program after making your selections.

What other keyboard mapping functions are available on Windows?

If you are still running Windows 10 on your PC, you can download Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator  to create your own keyboard layouts. Microsoft keyboard users can also try the Mouse and Keyboard Center  app to get the most out of the customization features within the accessories. Other keyboard mapping options can be downloaded on Microsoft Apps .

By learning how to remap your keys, you can break the mold and take control of how you use your keyboard. Shop for Microsoft Keyboards  to find the perfect keyboard to test your remapped keys on Windows 11 .

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How to remap any key on your keyboard in Windows 11 or 10

Turn a key you don't use such as "insert" into one you really need.

Even if you have one of the best gaming keyboards or best mechanical keyboards on the market, you may not have all the keys you want or need. For example, my 96 percent keyboard has a number pad, arrow keys and a function row, but no print screen key. 

I do have an insert key, but let's be honest — the last time I needed the insert key was in the 1990s. Fortunately, it's easy to remap any key to become any other key so I can turn insert into print screen or turn my numpad into a series of media buttons.

On some fancier keyboards, you can remap keys at the firmware level; these boards usually have either QMK or Via firmware. And, once you remap it there, the new key assignment will apply across computers and operating systems.

However, most keyboards don't have customizable firmware so the easiest way to remap a key is to do so by tweaking a setting in the OS. In Windows, it's really easy to remap a key by modifying the registry. And you don't even need to go into the registry, because there's a utility called SharpKeys that will write your remaps to the registry for you.

How to Remap a Key Using SharpKeys

1. Install SharpKeys from the Microsoft Store.

2. Launch SharpKeys.

3. Click the Add button.

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4. Select the key to remap by either picking it in the left-side menu or clicking Type Key and typing it.

5. Select the key to remap to from the right-side menu and Click Ok .

6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for additional key remaps if you need them.

7. Click Write to Registry .

You'll get a confirmation message. 

8. Close SharpKeys then reboot your PC or log out then in again.

The new key mappings should work in Windows from now on and you won't need to run SharpKeys again unless you want to do more remaps.

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How to Reassign Keyboard Keys on Windows 11 or Windows 10

Table of Contents:

Most of us are used to the classic qwerty or azerty layout on our keyboards, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Default keyboard layouts are meant to apply to a broad range of people, not cater to individual needs. As a result, you may be wondering how to remap keys in Windows 11 and Windows 10 to suit your preferences.

PowerToys: A Great Key Remapper From Microsoft

For this purpose, we’ll be using a Microsoft-published tool called PowerToys. PowerToys is an application-suite designed to help you get more out of your PC, and that includes the ability to remap your keyboard.   If you don’t have PowerToys already, you can download it from the official PowerToys GitHub page. Follow the installer’s instructions and you’ll be good to go.

How to Remap your Keyboard in Windows 11 with PowerToys

PowerToys is a suite of utilities designed to allow power users to streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity. Among its various tools, the Keyboard Manager utility stands out for its ability to remap keys and shortcuts easily. Opting for PowerToys means benefiting from a Microsoft-supported tool that’s not only reliable but also regularly updated with security enhancements and new features.

The Best Freeware Tools to Move and Remap Keys

If you’d prefer not to install a general-purpose tool like PowerToys, there are several third-party tools to choose from. Popular choices include:

SharpKeys is a simple and easy-to-use tool that has been around for a while. Its interface is nothing fancy but is perhaps more efficient because of it. Once you’re done making the changes,  SharpKeys  lets you easily write them to the registry and then reboot to get started.

Key Remapper

Key Remapper  is one of the more popular and well-reviewed key remappers for Windows 10. Though you do have to pay for its full version, you can grab a restricted version for free  here . The best thing about Key Remapper is its ability to additionally remap mouse buttons. You can therefore add keyboard keys to your mouse for very easy access.

KeyTweak  is a good alternative if you’re looking for a key remapper with a more visual interface. Rather than lists, it displays a virtual keyboard and allows you to click each button on it to remap them. You can also save different sets of mappings to separate profiles so that you can easily switch between them.

Key Mapper  stands out for its flexible interface. Everything works through a drag and drop interface that allows you easily reassign, disable, and activate keys. However, you can also use methods such as double-clicking keys on the keyboard or manually creating a new mapping. Importantly for international or dvorak users,  Key Mapper  also supports several alternate keyboard layouts.

RemapKeyboard

If you’re looking for something small and lightweight,  RemapKeyboard  does the job. It comes in at just 79KB and consists of  simple, three-column list interface that is very easy to navigate. It requires a registry entry to change the keys, so you’ll need to log in and out for the changes to take effect.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Key Remapping with PowerToys

Can i remap keyboard shortcuts in addition to individual keys using powertoys.

Absolutely. The Keyboard Manager component of PowerToys allows you not only to remap single keys but also to customize keyboard shortcuts. This includes creating new shortcuts or altering existing ones to better suit your workflow and productivity needs. It’s a versatile feature that extends your customization capabilities well beyond simple key remapping.

Is it possible to remap mouse buttons using PowerToys?

Currently, PowerToys does not support the remapping of mouse buttons directly. For users looking to customize their mouse button actions, alternative third-party software will be necessary. There are numerous tools available that offer mouse button customization, including the ability to set up complex actions and gestures.

Can I export my PowerToys keyboard remappings to another computer?

While PowerToys does not offer a built-in feature for exporting and importing keyboard remapping profiles directly through the GUI, you can manually transfer the necessary configuration files. These files are typically located in the PowerToys settings folder within your user profile directory. Copying these to the corresponding location on another computer with PowerToys installed will replicate your key remapping setup.

How do alternative key remapping tools compare to PowerToys in terms of features?

Alternative key remapping tools vary widely in their approach and features. For instance, SharpKeys offers a straightforward, no-frills interface for directly writing remaps to the Windows registry, making it less flexible but very simple to use. Key Remapper , on the other hand, includes the ability to remap both keyboard keys and mouse buttons, providing a wider range of customization than PowerToys’ current keyboard-only focus. Other tools might offer unique user interfaces, such as drag-and-drop mapping, or support for creating conditional remappings based on the application in focus.

Can I use PowerToys to remap keys on external keyboards?

Yes, PowerToys supports key remapping for both built-in laptop keyboards and external keyboards. This means that any remapping you apply through PowerToys will affect the selected keys regardless of whether they’re on an internal or USB/Bluetooth-connected external keyboard. It’s important to note, however, that remappings are global and not device-specific; the same remappings apply to all keyboards connected to the system.

Does remapping keys with PowerToys affect performance or security?

Key remapping with PowerToys is designed to be both secure and efficient, having a negligible impact on system performance and no known security vulnerabilities as long as you download PowerToys from the official Microsoft GitHub repository. Microsoft actively develops and supports PowerToys, ensuring it adheres to modern security standards.

How can I contribute to the development of PowerToys or suggest new key remapping features?

Microsoft welcomes community contributions to PowerToys. If you’re interested in suggesting new features, reporting bugs, or even contributing code, the best place to start is the PowerToys GitHub repository . There, you can open an issue to suggest a new feature or report a problem, or you can fork the repository to work on your own code improvements. The project’s README and contributing guidelines provide a wealth of information on how to get started.

Can I set key remappings in PowerToys to be application-specific?

As of the current version, PowerToys does not support the ability to create application-specific key remappings. All key and shortcut remappings applied via the Keyboard Manager are global, affecting all applications. For specialized remapping needs—including application-specific configurations—users may need to look into more advanced scripting or software solutions.

Is PowerToys compatible with Windows versions older than Windows 10?

PowerToys is specifically designed for Windows 10 and later, leveraging modern Windows features and APIs for its functionality. As such, it is not compatible with or supported on older versions of Windows, such as Windows 8.1 or Windows 7. Users on these older platforms would need to explore alternative tools or upgrade their operating system to use PowerToys.

How does PowerToys manage remapping of special keys like function or media controls?

PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager supports remapping a wide array of keys, including function keys and many special keys like media controls. This allows users to customize their keyboards extensively, tailoring functionality like volume control or track skipping to keys of their choosing. Keep in mind that while most keys are remappable, there may be some special keys or hardware-specific keys that cannot be remapped due to their direct handling by the system or hardware-level firmware.

What steps should I take if I encounter a conflict during key remapping in PowerToys?

When you encounter a conflict during key remapping with PowerToys—such as overlapping shortcuts or remapped keys affecting crucial system functions—PowerToys will alert you through its interface. You can opt to proceed with the remapping, knowing the conflict, or revise your remappings to avoid the issue. For optimal results, it’s advisable to carefully plan your remappings to minimize conflicts, particularly for commonly used shortcuts and keys.

Are there communities or forums where I can share or learn about PowerToys remapping setups?

Yes, there are several communities and forums where PowerToys users share tips, remapping setups, and troubleshoot issues together. The PowerToys GitHub repository is a central hub for technical discussions and feature requests. Additionally, forums like Reddit’s r/PowerToys and Microsoft’s own community forums serve as platforms for broader discussions, user tips, and shared configurations.

Do I need administrative privileges to use PowerToys for key remapping?

Running PowerToys and accessing its key remapping feature requires administrative privileges primarily during installation or when updating PowerToys. This ensures that PowerToys can interact securely with system-level settings and apply remappings effectively. Once installed, key remapping doesn’t require additional permissions for daily use.

Will my PowerToys key remappings persist through system reboots?

Yes, any key remappings or shortcut customizations you apply using PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager are permanent changes that persist through system reboots. This ensures that your custom keyboard configurations remain consistent across all your computing sessions, eliminating the need to reapply settings after a reboot.

Can I revert to the original key settings easily in PowerToys if I change my mind?

Reverting to the original key settings in PowerToys is straightforward. Within the Keyboard Manager, you can remove individual key mappings or reset all custom remappings to default with just a few clicks. This flexibility allows you to experiment with different configurations and easily undo changes if they don’t meet your needs.

Extra: How to Disable the Windows Key in Windows 11

Related: How to Make Emoji, Kamoji, and GIFs on Your Keyboard

Related: How to Enable or Disable the Touchpad on Windows 11

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Download powertoys from microsoft and install it, use powertoys to remap keys or shortcuts, alternative solution: remap keys in windows 11 using sharpkeys.

Microsoft PowerToys is a handy utility for Windows that lets you customize all sorts of things about Windows---everything from the behavior of windows on your screen to your keyboard shortcuts. Here's how you can use PowerToys to remap your favorite (or least favorite!) shortcuts.

PowerToys doesn't come preinstalled on Windows; you need to download it manually. Microsoft recommends that you download PowerToys directly from GitHub . You should grab the latest version --- it'll always be the one nearest to the top.

Related: What Is GitHub, and What Is It Used For?

Make sure that you grab the correct version for your PC. Most Windows desktops and laptops out there use 64-bit Intel or AMD processors, so download the installer that has "x64" in the name somewhere. Click the ".exe" file once it has finished downloading and follow the prompts.

ARM-based processors are gradually becoming more common in PC, so it is possible your have one. You can always see what CPU is in your PC , and then look up the model number to be sure. Alternatively, you can just guess --- if you try to install the wrong one, you won't hurt your computer, you'll just see an error message.

The other option is to install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store.  Just click "Install" and everything will be handled automatically. The only slight downside is that the version on the Microsoft Store is updated a bit more slowly than the version on GitHub, so you'll have to wait a bit longer for bug fixes.

If you want you can install PowerToys via a command line as well. Open up Terminal, make sure it is a PowerShell tab, then copy and paste 

into the window and hit Enter.

Launch PowerToys and click on "Keyboard Manager" on the left-hand side.

Ensure that "Enable Keyboard Manager" is toggled to the "On" position --- it should be by default. There are two choices: "Remap a Key" and "Remap a Shortcut."

The names mostly speak for themselves. "Remap a Key" lets you map a key to a different key, a key to a shortcut, or a key to a function.

Related: Windows Task Manager: The Complete Guide

As a silly example, you could use "Remap a Key" to map the "T" key to "Ctrl+V" so that pressing "T" would trigger the paste function. You could map the "[" and "]" keys to "Volume Down" and "Volume Up," respectively.

You can select a key, shortcut, or function, using the drop-down menus, or you can click "Type." If you click "Type," you just need to press the key you want instead of scrolling through the list.

You're mostly constrained by the fact that there aren't many keys on your keyboard that can reasonably be rebound to other keys, shortcuts , or functions without impinging your ability to use your computer normally.

"Remap a Shortcut" is more useful in that regard. Unlike "Remap a Key," "Remap a Shortcut" allows you to combine multiple keystrokes and map them to another shortcut or function, and you can even make the remapping application specific. That gives you a ton of flexibility and lets you work around almost any preexisting shortcuts that might cause a conflict.

Related: 30 Essential Windows Key Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 10

Select your new key combination, select the shortcut or function you want to map the new key combination to, and then pick the application you want to use it with.

Leave "Target App" blank to make the remap system-wide. If you want a remap to apply only to a specific program, you need to enter the program's executable name into the box.

You can open Terminal and enter the command "tasklist" to get a list of the processes currently running. It will display the name you need to enter into the "Target App" box under the "Image Name" column.

Now instead of mapping "[" and "]" to "Volume Down" and "Volume Up," you can map "Ctrl+[" to "Volume Down" and "Ctrl+]" to "Volume Up," and you don't need to worry about messing with your ability to insert brackets or curly brackets at all. If you wanted, you could map "Ctrl(Left)+Shift(Right)+T" to "Delete" and make it only apply in GIMP.

Plenty of applications let you remap shortcuts or functions within their settings, but some don't --- they're ideal candidates for the PowerToys remapping utility. Microsoft specifically warns that it may not work well in games , though, so test it thoroughly before you join a competitive match.

The one drawback to using PowerToys is that the utility needs to be running if you want to keep the key remapping working. Windows actually supports built-in key remapping via the Registry, but it's so complicated that you're better off using the open source SharpKeys application to handle it.

SharpKeys will allow you to remap any key to any other key, on any version of Windows, and you can even delete the application when you're done. The limitation? It can't handle shortcut key combinations, so you couldn't remap ALT+C to CTRL+C, but you can use it for things like disabling or remapping the Caps Lock key .

Simply install the application from the Microsoft Store or their Github repository, launch it, and then you can click the Add button from the interface to bring up the Add New Key Remapping dialog. From there, you can map from one key to another easily.

SharpKeys has worked in every version of Windows since at least Vista, so you can definitely use it for remapping keys on Windows 10 as well .

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How to Remap a Keyboard in Windows 10

Use Microsoft PowerToys to reassign keys and change keyboard shortcuts

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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What to Know

• Download Microsoft Power Toys, open it, and then go to Keyboard Manager > Remap a Key or Remap a Shortcut .
• To reset keys and shortcuts to the default, select the Trashcan icon beside the entry.
• If you have an external keyboard and mouse, use the Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center tool to customize both.

This article explains how to remap a keyboard in Windows 10. Instructions apply to external keyboards and the built-in keyboards of Windows-based laptops.

How to Change a Keyboard Layout in Windows 10

The easiest way to customize your keyboard is by using PowerToys, a free program made by Microsoft. It allows you to reassign keys and change your keyboard shortcuts using a simple interface. PowerToys also enables you to personalize the layout and appearance of the operating system.

Can You Reassign Keyboard Keys?

Follow these steps to reassign keys in Windows 10:

Download Microsoft Power Toys and install it on your PC.

Open Power Toys and select Keyboard Manager in the left sidebar.

Select Remap a Key .

If the keyboard options are grayed out, select the Enable Keyboard Manager switch.

Select the Plus ( + ) under Key .

Under Key , choose the key you want to reassign from the drop-down menu, or select Type and enter a key.

Under Mapped To , choose the new key. If you want to switch two keys, repeat steps 5 and 6 to create another entry, reversing the keys.

To reset the key to its default, return to this screen and select the Trashcan icon beside the entry.

Select OK .

Select Continue Anyway , if you see a notice telling you you'll no longer be able to use the keys for their original purpose.

How to Remap Windows 10 Shortcuts

You can change keyboard shortcuts for specific apps or your whole system:

Open Microsoft Power Toys and select Keyboard Manager in the left sidebar, then select Remap a Shortcut .

Select the Plus ( + ) under Shortcut .

Choose the key you want to reassign from the drop-down menu under Shortcut or select Type and enter a keyboard shortcut.

Under Mapped To , choose the new key or shortcut.

Under Target Apps , enter the name of an app (if you leave this section blank, the change is applied system-wide).

How to Reset Keyboard Mapping

To set your key reassignments back to the defaults, go to Keyboard Manager in PowerToys, select Remap a shortcut , and then select the Trashcan icon beside the entry you want to delete.

How Can I Customize My Keyboard?

PowerToys lets you reassign keys and shortcuts, but some keyboards come with customization software that gives you even more control over how your device works. For example, you could create multi-key macros and insert blocks of text with a single keystroke. You can customize both with the Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center tool if you have an external keyboard and mouse.

If you need to reassign a key because it isn't working, you can enable the Windows 10 on-screen keyboard to access all keys.

Remapping a keyboard on a Mac works differently than on a Windows PC. While you can't wholly remap the keyboard, you can set up custom shortcuts. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard and click the Shortcuts tab. Select a shortcut and highlight its existing key combination. Then, type in your new key combination, which will replace the previous shortcut.

If you want a hotkey to access a different shortcut or command, download the Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center and connect the keyboard you wish to configure. Open the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center and choose the key you'd like to reassign, then select a command from the command list to become the key's new function.

You don't need to remap a Windows PC keyboard for use on a Mac, but you'll need to be aware of the Windows keyboard equivalents for Mac's special keys . For example, the Windows key is equivalent to the Mac's Command key. Also, key locations are different on a Windows keyboard. If you want to reassign a Windows keyboard key's location for use with your Mac so it's easier to find, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard . Select Modifier Keys , then switch the keys' functions to your liking.

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How can I remap a keyboard key?

One of my laptop's keys has fallen off. Is there any way I can remap another key to serve as that key? I'll 'sacrifice' the other key because I never use it.

• 44 Scroll lock: Why are you looking at me? –  Colonel Panic Commented May 30, 2013 at 23:44
• 4 This question covers permanently remapping keys. Most answers are based on a registry edit requiring a reboot. For ways to remap keys without a restart , swapping keys with each other, or swapping for specific applications , see this question: Remapping keyboard keys for specific applications –  Lilienthal Commented Oct 21, 2015 at 21:17
• @harrymc the vlaurie.com link is dead (now hosted by ParkLogic) –  john v kumpf Commented Jul 13, 2018 at 1:51
• @johnvkumpf: There are heaps of such articles. Most dead links can still be found on the Wayback Machine. For this one see here . –  harrymc Commented Jul 13, 2018 at 7:54
• SharpKeys (free download from authoritative source): github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys/releases –  caw Commented Feb 13, 2020 at 19:30

9 Answers 9

Here is a good article from Howtogeek about using a utility called SharpKeys :

##Map Any Key to Any Key on Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista If you are tired of the way certain keys on your system work, such as the Caps Lock key, you can re-map them to function as a different key by using a registry hack . But there should be an easier way, right? This is where SharpKeys comes into the picture: It’s a small utility that will let you easily map one key to another key easily, or even turn the key off, without having to enter the registry at all. For instance, I used the key mapping to just turn off my Caps Lock key, since I never use it. (source: howtogeek.com )

You can click the Add button to bring up the Add New Key Mapping dialog, where you can either select the keys to map from the lists, or just click the Type Key button and press the key manually (which I find much more intuitive) (source: howtogeek.com )

Once you are done, click the Write to Registry button and you’ll be told to log off or reboot for the changes to take effect. (source: howtogeek.com )

If you want all the technical details on how the registry keys work, you can read about how to map keys using registry hacks .

Link for reference

• 4 For simple remapping this is the way to go, no need to write a full blown autohotkey script. I swear by AHK don't get me wrong, but thats more for keyboard combinations rather than simple remapping. –  user1931 Commented Sep 7, 2009 at 5:58
• Very easy to use - would be more lovely to be able to toggle the keys (enable/disable it) without deleting anything –  Nam G VU Commented Feb 4, 2011 at 5:14
• Will this allow me to swap the Fn and Ctrl key in Windows on a Macbook Pro Retina running Bootcamp? Thanks. –  dotnethaggis Commented Aug 27, 2014 at 13:31
• Do I have to run the app all the time, or is the change permanent? –  Colonel Panic Commented Oct 7, 2015 at 16:04
• The HowToGeek registry hack link above is perfect for doing this without software -- but the scancode link in said article is dead. Here's a live (as of today) one: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa299374(v=vs.60).aspx –  Joe Commented Oct 14, 2015 at 18:19

Using Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator here without problems. For switching modifier keys I would suggest a registry hack or an application that changes the registry for you, do not use a pure software remap like AutoHotkey as those solutions don't work for every application.

Another solution is to get a replacement key in case you really can't insert the key back in your laptop, have you tried a search for 'broken laptop key' ?

• 2 This is th best solution I have found - unlike AutoHotKey and Keytweak, I can modify the characters generated with modifiers, without changing the unmodified behaviour. Now I can get ( and ) without Shift, 9 and 0 are unaffected! :D –  James Broadhead Commented May 23, 2011 at 9:23
• Well, for my case of converting a qwertz keyboard into a qwerty keyboard this does not work, because ctrl+z stays next to the t. :( –  ANeves Commented Mar 1, 2014 at 17:33
• For some applications that (presumably) are listening to keydown events it is also necessary to also remap keyboard scan codes. It's a nice solution because it's built into windows and you can use the windows shortcuts. –  David Sopko Commented Oct 9, 2018 at 2:40
• The only problem is that it requires .NET Framework 2.0 - if you install it to run the keyboard layout creator, make sure you uninstall it after! –  stiv Commented Nov 20, 2019 at 17:35
• I wanted to interchange my backspace and caps lock. This method doesn't work for me. –  Black Chase Commented Oct 7, 2021 at 18:38

You can use Microsoft's Keyboard Layout Creator . This will even allow you to add extra functionality to your keyboard, such as changing a key into a dead key (e.g. ~ ), add extra mappings (e.g. altgr + c -> ç ), etc.

In order to edit the special keystrokes, like ctrl + FOO , you might need to edit the .klc file manually. You can find instructions by @Senseful in https://superuser.com/a/172993/157884 :

You need to modify the .klc file manually. Basically you just modify the VK_ column to match the value in column 1 . So for example if you want to bind L to N , you would create the keyboard as you normally would in KLC. Then you would open the KLC file in a text editor. Find the value L in the VK_ column, and switch it to an N . For more information, I wrote the complete steps on my blog .

Warning: incomplete support for key bindings in some applications

However, be warned that some applications might not take those special keystrokes properly.

As an example: with my particular configuration, pressing altgr + a in DotA2's teamchat will erase the text — instead of adding an ã like in other applications.

I have Genius KB-G235 USB keyboard (HID) and WinXP SP3. Neither of applications in previous answers didnt work for me. (Because working with PS/2 codes or not (fully) with XP).

I tried HotkeyP (free and open source) https://sourceforge.net/projects/hotkeyp/ and this works! Just add action for key and its done. (After assign new action isn't default action executed.)

Keyman Desktop - You can even create your own custom keyboards with Keyman Developer . With keyboards for over 1000 languages, Keyman Desktop lets you type in your language even when Windows doesn’t.

• 1 The Keyman software is becoming free after SIL International bought it. This makes it a more interesting choice than before. (Few people would buy software to do just a simple mapping of a key for personal use.) –  Jukka K. Korpela Commented Mar 2, 2017 at 18:25

The easiest way: The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator . This is an official Microsoft solution. Functionality is similar like Ukelele for OS X.

Download and instructions: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=102134

For Windows 10: PowerToys

Microsoft has released an advanced application, PowerToys , that has a simple, but effective, key mapping facility. I've used it to swap my Alt and Ctrl keys; it works like a champ.

http://www.autohotkey.com/ can be a simpler and powerful solution. You can remap keys and create modifiers keys using scripts like

• 2 But why all of this if something like ScrollLock::LControl is just enough for the remapping? –  Yuuza Commented Apr 8, 2016 at 2:26
• 1 Sorry, I really could simplify, but I wanted to show the power of the tool. With this script you don't need to sacrifice keys, you just need to have a modifier key and have a second function for one key. –  Jp_ Commented Apr 8, 2016 at 11:43
• Re "I wanted to show the power of the tool" : You could split the answer into two parts: The first part with a direct answer with the simplest solution that could possibly work and another more elaborate/comprehensive part. (But *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** without *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** "Edit:", "Update:", or similar - the answer should appear as if it was written today.) –  Peter Mortensen Commented Mar 17 at 3:27

I found one application, HotkeyP , which can do almost all of them in Windows 7 and it works without any issues when your desktop is unlocked. Also it is pretty easy to use.

The only drawback I found was it will not work when the desktop is locked, say, I come back from sleep and the computer is locked and I have loud music playing. Multimedia keyboards can mute from there itself. But with this application you need to unlock first.

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3 Ways to Remap Keyboard Keys in Windows 11

Chinmay is a computer wizard known for his quick troubleshooting skills. He is well versed with Android and Windows, and loves to help people with his solutions. You can always find him active on Twitter, come say Hi!

Afam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms.

• You can remap keyboard keys using Microsoft PowerToys, SharpKeys, and Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC).
• Microsoft PowerToys allows remapping single keys to other keys or specific actions, and even remapping entire keyboard shortcuts.
• Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) lets you create entirely new custom keyboard layouts.

Method 1: Using Microsoft PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a native utility tool that helps users boost their productivity on Windows. Remapping keys is only one of several abilities that Microsoft PowerToys offers. But first, you need to install the software before you can remap keyboard keys.

Remap Keys Using Keyboard Manager in Microsoft PowerToys

Step 1: Open Microsoft PowerToys on your Windows 11 computer.

Step 2: Click on Keyboard Manager in the sidebar.

Step 3: Turn on the toggle for Enable Keyboard Manager .

Step 4: Click on Remap a key .

Step 5: In the Remap Keys prompt, click on the plus icon to start remapping your keys.

Step 6: Click on the Type button.

Step 7: Now, press the key on your keyboard that you wish to remap and click on OK .

Step 8: If you want to remap your selected key to a different key, click on Type .

Step 9: Now press the desired key on your keyboard which you want as a remap and click on OK .

Note : Repeat steps 6-9 to remap more keys.

Step 10: Once done, click on the OK button at the top right.

Step 11: A warning box will pop up, click on Continue Anyway .

Your selected keys now have been remapped successfully. 

Reassign Keyboard Keys to Perform an Action in Windows 11

Step 1: Open Microsoft PowerToys on your Windows 11 machine.

Step 2: Click on Keyboard Manager .

Step 3: Now click on Remap a key .

Step 4: To add a new key for remapping, click on the plus icon .

Step 5: Now click on Type .

Step 6: Press the key on your keyboard that you wish to remap, and click on OK .

Step 7: To remap your selected to a specific action, click on the dropdown menu.

Step 8: Select the action which you want as a remap for your key.

Step 9: Click on the blue OK button.

Your selected key now has been remapped to perform your desired action.

Remap Shortcuts in Windows 11

As mentioned earlier, you can also remap shortcuts in Windows 11. Here’s how.

Step 3: Now click on Remap a shortcut.

Step 4: To change keyboard shortcuts, click on the plus icon .

Step 5: Click on the Type button in the Physical Shortcut section.

Step 6: Now press the keys involved in the shortcut which you wish to remap and click on OK .

Note: A maximum of three keys can be remapped. If your shortcut requires pressing more than three keys, it cannot be remapped using Microsoft PowerToys.

Step 7: Click on the Type button under the Mapped To section.

Step 8: Now, press the key you want as a remapped action. Alternatively, you can remap your selected shortcut from the dropdown menu to perform a particular task.

Step 9: Click on the OK button to save your changes.

Your selected shortcut has now been remapped to a new action.

Method 2: Using SharpKeys

SharpKeys is an open-source software that offers an alternative method to remap keys in Windows 11. Here’s how you can use it. Note that SharpKeys only supports key remapping and does not support changing keyboard shortcuts.

Step 1: Download SharpKeys from the Microsoft App Store and install it.

Step 2: Open SharpKeys on your Windows 11 machine.

Step 3: To start remapping a key, click on Add .

Step 4: Select the key you want to remap from the left list.

Step 5: Select the key you want as a remapped key from the right list. You can also click Type Key and press the key directly on your keyboard.

Step 6: Click on OK .

Step 7: Now, click on Write to Registry . To apply your changes, reboot your system.

Your keys have now been remapped successfully using SharpKeys in Windows 11. SharpKeys is as good as Microsoft PowerToys, but applying new changes requires a reboot every time.

Method 3: Using Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC)

The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC ) is a great option because it allows you to create or modify keyboard layouts. Here are the steps to use it.

Step 1: Visit the official SKLC page and hit the download button. Extract the file, double-click the downloaded file, and follow the wizard to complete the installation.

Step 2: Launch the app.

Step 3: Click the File menu, and click Load Existing Keyboard to use the current keyboard layout as a base, or simply click File and New .

Step 4: Click the key you wish to remap on the visual keyboard.

Step 5: Enter the new function and click the OK button.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 for as many keys as you like to remap.

Step 7: Click the Project menu, then Validate layout .

Step 8: Click Project, then Test Keyboard Layout .

Step 9: Click Project , then Build DLL and Setup Package ; choose a saving location and click OK .

Step 10: Navigate to where you saved the file and run the setup.exe file, following the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 11: Open your Settings app. You may use Windows + I to open it.

Step 12: Navigate Time & language > Language & region .

Step 13: Click the three dots for your preferred language and click Language options .

Step 14: Click Add keyboard , and add your new keyboard. You may now press Windows + Space to switch to your custom keyboard.

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Last updated on 08 July, 2024

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How to remap keys using Keyboard Manager in Microsoft's PowerToys

Windows takes advantage of a variety of keyboard keys and shortcuts to run different actions and commands. 

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Num Lock turns on the number pad. F1 conjures up a Help screen. Ctrl+C copies an item. Windows key+E opens File Explorer. 

But you're not stuck with the existing keys or shortcuts. You can modify many of them with the help of a PowerToys tool called Keyboard Manager.

Using Keyboard Manager, you're able to set various commands to use different keys and shortcuts other than their default ones. For example, maybe you want F1 to turn on the number pad or Windows key+C to copy an item. 

As long as the key or shortcut follows certain rules and doesn't conflict with keys and shortcuts reserved by Windows, you can redefine it however you'd like. Here's how this works.

Also: Yes, you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade. Here's how

1. Download the PowerToysSetup.exe file

If you don't yet have PowerToys on your PC, download and install the PowerToysSetup.exe file from the  program's GitHub page . PowerToys and its tools work the same in  Windows 10  and  Windows 11 .

2. Turn on Run at startup

For the changes you make in Keyboard Manager to always be in effect, PowerToys needs to run at startup. To confirm this, open PowerToys, select General , and make sure the switch is turned on for  Run at startup . Next, select Keyboard Manager and confirm that its switch is on.

Open Keyboard Manager in PowerToys.

3. Figure out what you can and can't do

Before you try remapping specific keys and shortcuts, you'll want to find out what you can and can't do. Click the link for  Learn more about remapping limitations  to see which keys can't be remapped. 

For example, you can't remap Win+L (locks Windows) or Ctrl+Alt+Del (gives you access to Task Manager) as those are reserved shortcuts. But you can remap the function keys F1-F12. If you try to redefine a reserved key in Keyboard Manager, you'll get a slap on the wrist to prevent you from proceeding.

4. Remap a key

Click the entry for  Remap a key . To choose the physical key you want to remap, click the + button. For example, maybe you want to redefine F12 to open a Help screen. You can select it one of two ways. 

Click the dropdown window and scroll through all the choices until you find the one you want.

Alternatively, click the Type button and press the key you wish to redefine. Then click OK to submit it.

Also: How to use free PowerToys FancyZones in Windows and why you should

Choose the physical key for remapping.

Type the physical key for remapping.

5. Select the key to which you want to remap the physical one

Next, select the key to which you want to remap the physical one. 

For example, to replace F1 with F12 as the Help command, choose F1 as the mapped-to key. Either click the dropdown menu and select the mapped-to key from the list, or click the Type button and press the key. When you're done, click OK to activate the remapping.

Define the mapped-to key.

6. Check if you receive a notice

Depending on the physical key you chose, you may receive a notice telling you that the keys do not have assignments. Though the message sounds strange, it appears simply to warn you that the physical key will no longer be assigned to its previous command. Click  Continue Anyway  to confirm the remapping.

Continue Anyway.

7. Open an application or window

Now, open an application or window in which you can try the new key assignment. For example, if you replaced F1 with F12 to display a Help screen, open an app that offers help and press F12.

Try out the remapped key.

8. Click Remap a key

Return to Keyboard Manager and click the entry for  Remap a key . Here, you can redefine either key for the remapping you just created, delete the remapping altogether, or click the + button to create another remapping. Instead, though, let's look at how to remap a keyboard shortcut.

Also: How to keep track of your mouse pointer with the PowerToys Mouse utilities

Add another key to remap.

How to remap a shortcut

At the main Keyboard Manager screen, click the entry for Remap a shortcut . Click the dropdown menu to select the physical shortcut or click the Type key to type it. The shortcut must start with a modifier key, meaning Alt, Ctrl, Shift, or Win. After choosing or typing the modifer key, select or type the accompanying key. For example, if you wish to redefine Win+F, choose Win in the first column and F in the second column.

Choose the physical shortcut.

Next, choose the shortcut or key that you wish to remap to the physical shortcut you selected. For example, if you want Win+E to be the mapped-to shortcut, choose Win in the first column and E in the second. You can also select an individual key instead of a shortcut.

Choose the mapped-to shortcut or key.

By default, your new mapping will work across Windows and all applications. But you may want to limit it to just a specific app, such as Microsoft Word or Google Chrome. 

To do this, you first need to find the name of the app's executible file. Right-click on the shortcut for the app in the Start menu, go to More , and select Open file location . Right-click on the app's icon in File Explorer and select Properties . The name of the executable file appears in the Target field. Copy and paste or type that filename in the field under Target App. When done, click OK .

Also: How to shrink your images with the PowerToys Image Resizer  

Limit the shortcut to a specific application.

If you limited the remapping to a specific app, open that app. Otherwise, go anywhere in Windows. Press the new keystroke you defined to make sure that it triggers the command from the original physical keystroke.

Try out the new shortcut.

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How to remap keyboard keys on Windows 11, 10

Do you need to reassign keyboard keys or shortcuts? In this guide, we'll show you how on Windows 11 and 10.

• To remap a keyboard key on Windows 11 and 10, open PowerToys > Keyboard Manager > Remap a key , configure the key remap and save changes.
• To remap a shortcut on Windows 11 and 10, open PowerToys > Keyboard Manager > Remap a shortcut , configure the shortcut remap and save changes.

On Windows 11 (or 10), you can remap keys and shortcuts in different ways, but I have found that using PowerToys is the fastest and easiest method, and in this guide, I’ll show you how.

If you use your computer for gaming or work, sometimes you may need to reassign some keys and shortcuts to different keys or a combo of keys because it makes more sense or can help improve productivity. 

Regardless of the reason, Windows 11 doesn’t include a feature to change the actions of keys or shortcuts, but you can use tools like PowerToys from Microsoft to remap virtually any key globally or for a specific application. The app also works to remap shortcuts. You can even create remaps to launch apps, URIs, and web pages.

In this guide , I will teach you how to quickly use the PowerToys app to remap keys and shortcuts on Windows 11 and even on Windows 10.

Remap keyboard keys on Windows

Remap keyboard shortcuts on windows.

To remap keys on your keyboard on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

Open PowerToys .

Click on Keyboard Manager .

Turn on the “Enable Keyboard Manager” toggle switch.

Click the “Remap a key” option.

Click the “Add key remapping” button.

Choose the “Send key/Shortcut” option.

Click the Select button.

Press the keyboard key to remap (source).

Click the OK button.

Click the Select button to set the “To send” setting.

Press the keyboard key to remap (destination).

Click the OK button again.

Click the Continue anyway button (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, the key will now perform the action of the new key mapping on Windows 11.

To remap keyboard shortcuts on Windows, use these steps:

Click the “Remap a Shortcuts” option.

Click the “Add shortcut remapping” button in the “Select” setting.

Click the Shortcut (pen) button.

Confirm the keyboard shortcut to remap in the setting (for example, “ALT + T” ).

Select the action from the “To” setting.

Confirm the shortcut remap (according to your selection).

(Optional) Specify the name of the “.exe” program (for example, msedge.exe (Edge), explorer.exe (File Explorer), and chrome.exe (Google Chrome)) to target the shortcut on a specific application.

After you complete the steps, the Windows shortcut remap will perform the action you configured in the application.

If you want to remove the remap, you can go to the “Remap a key” or “Remap shortcuts” page and click the “Delete” (trash) button for the action you want to remove.

Although PowerToys can make it easier to remap keys and shortcuts on Windows, it’s important to note that the application doesn’t make system changes, meaning that the remaps will only work as long as PowerToys is running on the system.

Update July 8, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter) , YouTube , LinkedIn and About.me . Email him at [email protected] .

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How to Remap Keyboard in Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista

Remap Keyboard in Windows 10 Using Third Party Tools

Why the need of remapping windows keyboard.

• If you break any of the keys on the keyboard or it stops working on its on, remapping your Windows 10 keys is a good option.
• If you work interchangeably on Windows and Mac and want to use a Windows keyboard on Mac . I have found that remapping left Alt button to Ctrl helps a lot.
• If you use your PC primarily for gaming, than remapping some keys can help you improve your gameplay.
• If you work a job where you have to use one key a lot, remapping it to a key which is easily reachable can improve your workflow.

So, if any of these reasons make sense to you, here is how you can remap keyboard on your Windows 10, 8,7, and Windows machine.

Remap Keys on Windows 10 with SharpKeys

• On the main screen of SharpKeys, click on “Add.”

• This will open a key mapping window. Here, from the left pane, select the key that you want should perform some other action . And from the right pane, select the key whose function you want it to perform . You can also click on “Type Key” available at the bottom of both the panes, and then tap your desired key to make that selection. Once you’ve made your selection, click on “OK” to continue. On my computer, I wanted to turn off the Scroll Lock, so I selected “Special: Scroll Lock” from the left pane and “Turn Key Off” from the right.

• When you come back on the main screen of the tool, you should now see the entry of the remapping that you want to do. To finalize this, click on “Write to Registry.”

Reassign Keyboard Keys in Windows 10 Using Other Tools

1. keytweak.

KeyTweak is a tool which offers multiple ways – three, to be precise – to remap a key. The first is using the virtual keyboard. This method allows you to choose a key that you want to map, and then select the key, from a drop-down menu, to which you want to map it. The second way, the Half Teach Mode, works very similarly. The third (and the last) way is the Full Teach Mode. This allows you to press both the from and to mapping keys. Using this tool can get a bit of confusing as this uses scan-codes instead of the usual characters.

2. Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator

3. AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey takes a different approach for remapping the keys. Instead of the standard registry tweaking, it allows you to create scripts that you can run . A major advantage that you get with this tool is the ability to export the scripts as executable files. Though this does not have an interface as such, the steps for creating and executing scripts can easily be found in the tutorial of the tool. This tool brings more features and is really powerful. Not only you can remap keyboard keys but you can also create key binds, create keyboard executable automation, and more . Note that all these pro features also mean that you will have to invest time in learning this app. If you just want to remap your Windows keyboard, the above tools will be more than enough.

4. Key Remapper

Remap Keys on Windows 10 with PowerToys

Install: ( Free )

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fix keyboard typing wrong characters, why is my laptop not typing, how do i change my laptop keyboard back to normal, what are keyboard hotkeys, how do you fix keys on a laptop keyboard.

You’ll have to replace the laptop keyboard or remap the non-functional keys with functional ones using one of the apps like SharpKeys, KeyTweak, or PowerToys.

What is key mapping?

How do i unlock my keyboard on windows 10, why are my keyboard buttons messed up, how do you check if all keyboard keys are working, remap keyboard in windows 10 easily with these tools.

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Thanks, works like a charm.

tried keytweak and it worked for me

Programmable keyboard like Corsair. Take it with you.

I think it’s better to go with standard one: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/mouse-and-keyboard-center-download-f5b10905-7887-eedb-2f1c-d0737a36a3b2

Works with microsoft products only

Thanks will try. I spilled beer over my keyboard, cleaned it, almost all keys work except k and p for some reason. So i will switch keys with ; or [

Another reason to need this: my Lenovo Yoga 510 has the right-hand shift key *outside* the up arrow, meaning I keep hitting UP and finding I’m typing in the middle of the line above, when I meant to capitalise a word. I might eventually get used to this but looked for a way of remapping instead – a new skill for me, delighted to find it can be done. Off to try SharpKeys now, and if it’s easy as it sounds, I can see myself customising my keyboard in lots of ways… Having a right-hand Function key instead of the AltGr that I almost never use, for example… yabbadabbadoo, fun fun fun.

Thx for add end of the software, i really like that software :3 (i am not friend with that person, i am a person download this software for osu)

ANOTHER REASON TO REMAP: If you have a weak right hand pinky like me, you can remap the Shift key to the never used (by me anyway) but thumb-pressable right ALT key (just to the right of the spacebar).

I want to be able to press the “star” key and have it print my name. I could do this in windows 7.

AutoHotKey can do that. See the description in the article above.

Todas o no servían o era demasiado complicadas Excepto por la 4. Key Remapper

Muchas gracias

Do any of these solutions let you quickly switch between mappings? A *lot* of laptop keyboards nowadays are coming without the embedded numeric keypad, and it’s driving me nuts – I don’t want to have to carry a separate keypad that is easily broken or lost. The ability to quickly switch between normal and custom with a quick keypress would be invaluable.

I have a laptop PC with a US key layout. Which is mostly OK, except that I have the machine set to UK, and I also sometimes use a separate UK keyboard. If I remap the keys so that they do what they say on the keycaps, it will be wrong when I plug in the external keyboard.

Is there a way to have a different keyboard map depending on whether an external keyboard is attached or not?

Willing to use AutoHotKey if it’s clever enough.

thnx a lot realy helped me <3

Add new comment

How To Remap Or Reassign Keys On Your Keyboard

Unless you own a high-end keyboard or a custom mechanical keyboard , chances are you might not be able to configure your current keyboard’s layout to your liking. Of course, for the most part, we imagine that many people are already satisfied with the way their keyboard has been laid out.

However, if you think that certain keys would be better placed elsewhere, or if you want to disable certain keys, you can actually do that. Unfortunately, there is no native way to remap or reassign keys in Windows, but our guide below will show you several different apps that might be worth checking out if you want to remap your keyboard or reassign several keys.

SharpKeys ( Download )

Also, another thing to take note is that it will write to your computer’s registry, so if you’re not familiar or comfortable with that, you might want to seek out an alternative.

Keytweak ( Download )

For example, some users might not have a need for a Caps Lock key, so they might want to reassign it to something else, such as Ctrl or Alt.

MapKeyboard ( Download )

The UI will also highlight keys in green to indicate that they have been edited, and once you’re done editing, you’ll need to logoff your computer and relogin and you will be all set and the changes will take effect.

AutoHotKey ( Download )

The software we listed above does a very good job of remapping or reassigning keys. However, if you need something a bit more complex and powerful, that’s where AutoHotKeys comes in handy. This is because with AutoHotKeys, with a little bit of time and learning, you can create scripts to run more complex actions.

For example, you can create macros with AutoHotKeys where with by pressing certain keys or shortcuts, you can type certain lines of text, run programs, batch files, and so on. You can even make shortcuts even shorter, where instead of pressing three keys, you can reduce it to two, and so on.

However, like we said, AutoHotKeys is a bit more complex and you will need to learn how to script it, but it can be a very powerful tool once you get the basics down.

Filed in Computers . Read more about Keyboards , Microsoft , Windows and Windows 10 .

Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts for Anything in Windows 10

Speed up your workflow and get rid of repetitive tasks

Want to know how to create keyboard shortcuts to do anything on Windows 10? This guide will help. Surprisingly, it’s quite easy to create a quick keybind that can open programs, perform repeatable tasks, and speed up your workflow.

I’ll suggest a number of different options you can use to make keyboard shortcuts and provide some examples of how you can use them to their max potential.

Open Programs Quickly

I can see this shortcut option being useful for a large number of Windows 10 users. It’s quick and easy to set it up so that a quick shortcut can open any executable file. Here’s how to do it.

First, download the WinHotKey program from Directedge . It’s free to use. It’s a bit old, but it works and it’s clean. Once downloaded, go through the installer wizard, then launch WinHotKey. In WinHotKey, click New HotKey in the top left.

In the new window that appears, give the hotkey a name . After, choose what combination you’d like to trigger the shortcut. For example, I chose to do Windows+F2. After, you can click the Browse option to find the location of the executable you’d like to open.

Alternatively, you can just copy and paste the location. WinHotKey will automatically grab the application icon so that you are given visual context about it. You can now open your program with the hotkey you’ve specified.

You must make sure that your keyboard shortcut doesn’t conflict with any existing shortcuts, either Windows defaults or from within the WinHotKey interface. For example, Alt+F4 couldn’t be used. It’s best to stick to Windows + ’X’ combinations to avoid conflicts.

Automatically Type Text

If you consistently type the same sentences or words, you can automate it with WinHotKey too. To do this, click New Hotkey in WinHotKey, then click the drop down box under I want WinHotKey to: and select Type some text .

Now, type or paste the text into the box at the bottom of the new hotkey window. Finally, make sure to choose a new keyboard shortcut you haven’t used before.

There isn’t a limit on how many characters you use with this shortcut, but if there is a line break in anything you paste, it will end there. So, it’s best for copying single paragraphs, things like hashtags for Instagram or social links for YouTube descriptions.

Open Folders and Documents in Windows 10

WinHotKey can also be used to quickly open specific folders and documents within Windows 10. You can simply select the Open a Document or Open a Folder options under the I want WinHotKey to: dropdown box and then follow the same steps as above.

This time though, you’ll need to browse to a specific file or application. If you choose the open document option, most documents will work, so long as you have a supporting application defaulted to open those kinds of files. From my testing, I could get Photoshop, office apps like Excel, PDF files, and text files.

If a file didn’t work, Windows 10 will ask you to choose a default application for that file type, and then future hotkeys with that file type would then also work.

Use Autohotkey for Emojis

AutoHotkey is another application for Windows 10 that can help you to create more complex keyboard shortcuts. This software can be used to automate a large number of different tasks. You can download Autohotkey from their website for free.

Once you’ve downloaded it, extract the file to a memorable location. Then, in the directory, double click an .ahk file , then when asked, choose to browse what application should be used to open such files. Next, browse and navigate to AutoHotkeyU64 . This will allow you to run AutoHotkey scripts by double clicking them.

It’s very easy to use emojis on a smartphone, but there isn’t any easy way to do this on a computer by default. With Autohotkey, you can set up a number of emoji shortcuts. Here’s how to do it.

Creating a hotkey extension can be quite complex, but thankfully there are dozens of great autohotkey scripts on the internet. For creating emojis, we’d suggest this one .

On the page shared above, click the Raw button to be taken to a raw text file. Next, press Ctrl+A to select the entire code. Then press Ctrl+C to copy it all. After, open a Notepad file and paste the code there.

Now, click File in Notepad, then click Save as . Navigate to the directory you extracted Autohotkey. Next, click the Save as type drop down box and select All files. Now, name it Emoji.ahk and click Save.

To use this hotkey script, you’ll need to double click it each time you start your PC . After, you can type emoji codes like :smiley: to automatically use emojis. At any time, you can refer back to the Github link above to see which codes are used for each emoji.

More Advanced Autohotkey Scripts

The potential for more advanced Autohotkey scripts is quite impressive. You can read up on some of the best scripts here .  Some examples include the following:

• Magnify the screen with keybinds
• Use mouse gestures
• Drag windows easily
• Quickly access your favorite folders
• View upload/download speed via a small on-screen overlay

I hope that this guide on using Windows keyboard shortcuts has been useful. Did you learn anything? I hope so. Did you struggle with any of the suggestions in this guide? If so, send me a Tweet and I’ll be happy to help out as soon as possible.

Ollie stumbled upon writing online whilst participating in a mobile network forum back in 2011. Since then, he has developed an incredible passion for writing about all sorts of tech from smartphones, PC hardware, software, and everything in between. Read Ollie's Full Bio

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How do I reassign mouse buttons?

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software provides default commands for all of the mouse buttons. You can reassign some buttons to different commands or keyboard shortcuts to better fit your work style. You can also disable buttons you might press accidentally, such as the wheel button. If you don't have the software or want to learn more, go to Mouse & Keyboard Center Download . 

To reassign a button across all applications

Using the mouse that you want to configure, start Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center.

Select basic settings .

Select the button that you want to reassign.

In the list of the button that you want to reassign, select a command. To disable a button, select Disable this button .

You must assign the Click command to either the left or right button. You can assign this command to additional buttons if you want.

Reassigned button commands may not work as expected for some programs or games. Some programs or games may not support customized button assignments.

Some mouse models include specialized buttons that cannot be reassigned.

How do I reassign my mouse buttons for a specific application?

You can assign mouse buttons to perform different commands in different programs. For example, you can assign the same mouse button to activate Digital Ink when in PowerPoint, a macro when in a game, and the Magnifier when in any other application. 

To reassign a button for a specific program

Select the app-specific settings .

Click Add New button, select the program that you want. If the program that you want is not on the list, click Manually Add a Program at the bottom, select the program.

In the button command list, select a command.

To use a button that has been reassigned for a specific program

Start the program and click the reassigned button.

Note:  If you open a program by using the Run as administrator command, you will not have access to application-specific mouse button settings. Instead, the mouse will use the global mouse button assignments. To enable application-specific mouse button settings, open the application without administrator credentials, or log on to Windows as an administrator.

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How to Reassign Mouse Buttons on Windows 10

It is not easy to reassign keyboard keys, but it can be done by using third-party software. Usually, a mouse has two buttons & one scroll. These three may not require reassigning or remapping. A mouse with six or more buttons can be customized for an easy work process & smooth flow. This article on remapping mouse buttons to keyboard keys will help you reassign mouse buttons on Windows 10.

You can remap your mouse buttons to various settings like:

• You can use the default settings on your device to reverse the button functions.
• You can also disable your mouse button to avoid accidental touch.
• Also, you can assign macros to the mouse buttons using Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center.

Note: Macros are nothing but a series of events, like delays, keypress, and mouse clicks, to perform a function in repeat mode.

Table of Contents

Following are the methods to reassign or remap mouse buttons to keyboard keys.

Option 1: Reverse Mouse Buttons

If you are not a right-handed person, then you would prefer swapping the functions of mouse buttons. Here’s how to reassign mouse buttons in Windows 10 PCs:

1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Windows Settings .

2. Then, select Devices settings, as shown.

3. Go to the Mouse settings menu from the left pane.

4. Select your primary button from the drop-down menu as Left or Right , as depicted below.

This will reassign mouse functions from the left button to the right.

Also Read: Fix Mouse Wheel Not Scrolling Properly

Option 2: Reassign Across all Apps

Note: Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center works only for Microsoft mice and keyboards.

Using Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center, you can reassign or remap mouse buttons to keyboard keys as follows:

1. Download Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center compatible with your Windows PC from the Microsoft official website .

2. Then, run the downloaded setup file by double-clicking on it to install the program.

3. Wait for Windows to extract the files then, automatically install the program.

4. Now, Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center app will run automatically, as shown.

5. Click on basic settings .

6. Choose the option Click (default) given under the Left button as shown highlighted.

7. Choose the command for various options under the following heads as per your requirements:

• Most-used commands ,
• Gaming commands ,
• Browser commands ,
• Document commands ,
• Key commands , and others.

Also Read: How to Disable Mouse Acceleration in Windows 10

Option 3: Reassign for Specific Program

You can reassign mouse buttons in Windows 10 for specific applications too.

Note: The program or Windows OS should not be run as administrator for the commands to work for a specific program.

1. Hit the Windows key, type Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center , and click on Open.

2. Go to App-specific settings and click on the Add New button shown highlighted.

3. Choose the desired Program from the list.

Note: Click on the Manually Add a Program at the bottom, if your desired program is not in the list.

4. Now, in the button command list, select a command .

Hereon, you can open this specific program with the newly assigned button. Hence in this way, you can reassign mouse buttons on Windows 10. Easy, isn’t it?

Option 4: How to Set Macros for Mouse Buttons

You can also set a new macro for a mouse button using Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center as explained below:

1. Launch Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center by searching for it as before.

2. Under basic settings , click on the Wheel button as shown.

3. Choose Macro from the list.

4. Click on the Create a new Macro button as shown.

5. Type the name for the macro in the Name: field.

6. In the Editor: section, press the keys needed for the macro.

Note: You can also choose from the Special Keys section displayed on the screen.

For example: Enter Y and choose right-click on the mouse from the special keys below. This combination will perform the wheel button task here onwards. This is how to remap mouse buttons to keyboard keys on Windows 10 PCs.

Also Read: Fix Logitech Mouse Double Click Problem

Option 5: How to Repeat Macros for Mouse Buttons

You can also make a macro repeat itself unless it is stopped by the user. Ways to stop repeating action of the macro include:

• switching between applications,
• or, pressing another macro button.

Follow the given steps to set macros in repeat mode:

1. Launch Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center and navigate to basic settings > Wheel button as earlier.

2. Choose Macro on the next page.

3. Click on the pencil icon i.e. Edit Macro icon to edit the previously created macro.

4. Turn the toggle On for Repeat mode to enable it till stopped.

Note: If you choose the Toggle option in Repeat mode, press the assigned keys to start or stop the macro. 

Also Read: How to Fix iCUE Not Detecting Devices

How to Disable Mouse Buttons

Moreover, Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center allows you to disable a specific mouse button. Here’s how you can do so:

1. Open Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center and go to basic settings .

2. Click on the option Click (default) under the Left button , as shown.

3. Choose the command titled Disable this button to disable it.

Also Read: How to Fix Mouse Lag on Windows 10

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there any third-party tool to remap and customize mouse buttons?

Ans. Some famous tools to remap and customize mouse buttons are:

• X-Mouse Button Control,
• Mouse Manager,
• HydraMouse,
• ClickyMouse, and
• AutoHotKey.

Q2. Do changes made through Microsoft keyboard and mouse center applied to all applications?

Ans. Yes , it gets applied to all the applications if the changes are made in basic settings unless you give gaming command to that button. You can also reassign buttons for specific programs.

Q3. Can all the mouse buttons be reassigned?

Ans. No , specialized buttons in some models cannot be reassigned. The user has to work with their default functions.

Recommended:

• How to Enable or Disable Mobile Hotspot in Windows 11
• Best IP Address Hider App for Android
• How to Enable Dell Keyboard Backlight Settings
• Fix Inaccessible Boot Device Error in Windows 11

We hope that this guide helped you to reassign, remap or disable mouse buttons in Windows 10 desktops or laptops. If you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, then feel free to drop them in the comments section.

About The Author

Elon Decker

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