The keyboard is one of the most crucial parts of a computer, without which it’s nearly impossible to access the system. Yes, we do have the touch screen computers today, but very few of us use these systems. For some, it can be challenging to use the usual QWERTY format in the way they are already arranged. But if you want to customize the keyboard according to your convenience you can use key mapping software.
Keyboard-layout-editor.com is a web application that enables the editing of keyboard-layouts, i.e., the position and appearance of each physical key. Start by exploring the presets and samples from the menu-bar to give you an idea of the possibilities. Jan 19, 2010 Like MapKeyboard, this 280KB freeware displays a full keyboard as a visual aid. The virtual keyboard is numbered and mapped to the current keys on the physical keyboard. Highlight the key on the KeyTweak interface and select the remapped key from the dropdown. You can also map it to multimedia or Internet keys if your keyboard has those features.
For instance, you may want to replace the position of the “Tab” key with “Ctrl” key, you can use the programs to remap them. You can also add new personalized keys, or deactivate any key for added convenience like disabling the “Fn” button. Moreover, there are times when some of your keys might have stopped working making it tough for typing. While using a macro tool can help you remap keys or operate a shortcut service, these need to be saved in the system memory for them to work all the time.
Therefore, using a key mapping tool can be the best alternative as these do not need a process to run the background for it to function. Here we have listed some of the best key mapping software programs that you can use instead of 3rd party tools.
SharpKeys
If you are having a tough time re-mapping the keys on your keyboard, SharpKeys does the job for you. It can change the way how different keys work, efficiently. For instance, if you are having a tough time with one of the keys like hitting the “Fn” key accidentally every time you want to press the “Ctrl” key, you can either disable it or change its function to a different key.
The software helps you map up to 104 different types of combinations! It’s a pretty easier tool to start with an empty interface to work upon. It shows only the edits that you have made unless you hit the “Add” option to start remapping a new key. The interface then gets divided into two vertical panes of which one shows the “From Keys”, and the other one shows the “To Keys”.
You can now select the “From key” from the list on the left, and move it to the “To key” on the right where it is mapped. However, since not all the keys listed may not be available on your keyboard, you can make your choice by pressing the “Type Key” option and then hit the physical key you want to select. You must complete the process by hitting the “Write to Registry” option and wait for the successful mapping confirmation by the registry. Now, shut down the application and log out, or restart to apply the new mappings.
Price: free
Keytweak
Keytweak is one of the keymapping software programs that lets you remap the keyboard keys. It enables you to alter all the mapped keys, activate/deactivate keys, and even store your alignment in a single click. On launching the user interface of the software, it shows the alignment of your keyboard in association with a range of buttons and commands. Here you can assign each key as per your requirement and place it beside a command or simply let it be empty to deactivate it. As the mapping is done, the keys store your command and activate the software function. From here on, your keyboard starts getting mapped as per your set alignment.
Whether it’s for the safety of your system, simply to redefine the keys to operate a program, or you need it to play some game, there are many reasons why remapping can be good using this software. Alternatively, the remapping of keys is also useful in case any of the keys are damaged and they have stopped working.
Price: free
Key Mapper
If you are looking to configure your keyboard, Key Mapper is just the right tool that can help you with it. Using this software, you can remap the keyboard keys as per your choice. For instance, you can change the function of one key (Caps Lock) to work like another (for example, Ctrl), or to any other function that may not be even present on your keyboard.
This free application is available for Windows 2000 and previous versions. It’s a lightweight program that does not occupy much storage space compared to many other similar programs. It comes equipped with a various keyboard designs (pre-set) such as, featuring a number pad which is not present in most laptop keyboards, Mac keyboard, or typewriters key alone.
In order to map a key, all you need to do is to either use the software’s key capture feature or just pick a key from the list and prepare a new mapping. Wondering how to use the key capture feature? All you need to do is to choose the desired key and hit the set button, pick a key group and a key from the list, and hit the map button. Now, the virtual keyboard will show you a new key replacing the old one.
If you want to deactivate the mapped key at a later date, you can easily do that by simply pulling it away from the keyboard. In addition, you can also change the attributes of the key like the color, add toggle function to the key menu, choose another language, and much more.
Price: free
MapKeyboard
Most keyboard mapping programs take up considerable storage space. However, MapKeyboard is a really small and one of the best key mapping software programs around that occupies only 30KB in file size. You can easily customize the keyboard layout settings using this free software, despite the missing hotkey feature.
The interface of the program is a lot similar to the usual keyboard image that’s easy to use by the majority of the users. It’s easy to use and easy to understand even for the beginners. It lets you replace a keys function using a pull-down menu of the output keys. What’s more? It also allows you to create different layouts that match your requirements.
Moreover, you can also quickly return to the actual keyboard layout in just a single click feature that helps reset the keyboard. Overall, it’s a handy software and offers an effortless way to customize your keyboards.
Price: free
Key Remapper
Key Remapper by ATNSOFT is one such key remapping software that enables you to disable keys/mouse buttons/mouse wheel rotations and even remap them. Moreover, it also carries out counter remapping of keys and mouse buttons. It basically modifies their functions. For example, you can change the Left Shift and the Caps Lock, and other such combinations.
It also allows you to replace certain keys or mouse buttons by a mix of key or mouse button with modifiers. For example, the “Alt” key can be replaced with a combination function such as, “Alt+Tab”, etc. You can even mirror the double mouse button and key hits, and fix a certain interval between the hits.
In addition, it allows you to block keys, mouse buttons, or the mouse wheel rotation along with their combinations with different modifiers. Not just that, it also limits the remapping and blocking functions to certain programs and Windows. It also helps you create and change between key sets quickly, in just two clicks.
Price: free license available; upgrade starts from $49.95
AutoHotkey
AutoHotkey is a lot different from the other best key mapping software in the list. It’s a much powerful application which is easy to learn. It allows you to assign hotkeys for the keyboard and mouse, remap keys or buttons, and even offers the auto-correct type swaps. The software makes it incredibly easier to create simple hotkeys in just a few lines.
This free and open source software comes with a dedicated scripting language for Windows helping you to create small to more complex scripts, effortlessly. It helps you create scripts for all types of tasks that includes filling forms, macros, and more.
If you are a beginner, then it offers an integrated command for you. And, if you are a professional, then you will all the more appreciate the skilled scripting language for quick prototyping and limited projects. The program offers you a lot more flexibility to automate any desktop task. It’s compact, quick, and is ready to use.
It comes with a straightforward and adaptable syntax that helps you stay focused more on the task than focusing on each of the technicalities.
Price: free and open source
Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator
If you are looking to customize your keyboard layout right from the ground up, then Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator can be your best bet. It helps you define your keyboard layout in a language unsupported by Microsoft, quickly, easily, and effectively. You can also create your own keyboard layout that helps you to quickly and easily replace your preferred symbols with just a few keystrokes.
While it helps you define new keyboard layouts right from the ground up, it also helps you create a new layout on the current one. Moreover, it allows you to change a current keyboard layout file and create a new layout out of it. Additionally, it saves the subsequent keyboard layout results for further use and installation.
Price: free
Key Manager
Key Manager by ATNSOFT is another product in their range that’s an advanced version of their Key Remapper. It offers a lot more functions than just remapping keys and mouse buttons. For instance, this software lets you even remap combinations of mouse buttons and keys, keys and mouse button arrangements, and even the long presses.
You can choose to display your actions in pop-up menu forms that can be launched with hotkeys, edit, record, paste content, run macros, and much more. Imitating mouse clicks, opening websites, changing the layout, filling up forms instantly, or controlling the power settings of the monitor are some of the other things that you can choose to display.
Price: free license available; upgrade starts from $49.
KeyExtender
If you intend to extend your key functions, KeyExtender can be of great heal to you. It helps you to make your keyboard alignment more convenient for you to work or play games. That’s not all! You can also change your usual keyboard format (102) into a cross-functional keyboard without spending much of your funds. Whether you want to replace A key with E key on your keyboard, want to add the Crtl+V function to a single key like the “Tab”, or want the F9 key to type frequently used text, the software is apt to take care of all that and more.
The interface is simple, compact, and nonresizable, and is comparatively much easier to use and understand. It uses pull-down menus to change the way a key works. It also allows you to easily define hotkeys using the Settings options and enable or disable the impact of the software on your keyboard. Overall, if you are looking for a skilled remapping software, KeyExtender can be the solution.
Price: free trial available; priced at $19.95
Keyboard Layout Manager
Keyboard Layout Manager is a dynamic software that offers an impressive range of characters to be deployed in different languages or specific areas. This program offers the opportunity to map almost all characters that you require, to one of your preferred keyboard keys and define customized layouts.
It’s a lightweight application and is pretty compact acquiring only up to 1MB of your hard disk space. Given that it cuts down your system resources utilization, it automatically becomes light on your computer. You can select from a range of option from the main window, for example, language or layout, including the keyboard in use. Moreover, you can even create a new variety, in case you do not want to mess with the current ones.
The virtual keyboard offered by the program is fully supported and you are also free to use any of the keys apart from the major function buttons. it allows you to assign a character using a maximum of three mouse clicks. What’s more? It also offers you the opportunity to use all of the key combinations that help you map up to 6 characters for each button.
Overall, it’s a robust tool that helps you map your keyboard keys easily and effectively.
Price: free trial available; shareware
While many of us are comfortable with the usual QWERTY layout of our keyboards, there are many who prefer it to be their way. So, if you are one of the latter and looking for one of the best key mapping software, this post is for you. Make a pick from the list and map keys fast and easy with your chosen software.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares
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Broken keyboard keys are quite a common occurrence on laptops and netbooks. Although it’s not a terrible problem if the keypress still registers without the key, it is quite difficult if a common key doesn’t work at all. Maybe there’s keys you keep hitting by mistake such as Caps Lock, or would just like a certain key to be in a more convenient location. Or, there might be a key on your keyboard you never seem to use or need.
In all those situations, a simple solution would be to change the keyboard keys to do something else. Whether it’s disabling the key or making it perform another action. More advanced users could turn to software such as a Macro tool which can help you remap keys on a keyboard or even perform more complicated tasks for you, or run a shortcut/hotkey utility.
When you press a key on the keyboard it sends a “scan code” to tell Windows what has been pressed. Scan codes can be edited in the system registry to map one key to another but editing the registry manually is tricky. Here’s a selection of tools that can remap keyboard keys to other keys. Some edit the scan codes in the registry and don’t need to stay running, others need to stay running in the background.
1. Microsoft PowerToys For Windows 10
The old utility suite for Windows XP and 95 called PowerToys was resurrected in 2019 for Windows 10 users. One built in feature is the Keyboard Manager which can remap one key to another and also remap keyboard shortcuts. PowerToys doesn’t edit scan codes and has to stay running in the background, which could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your requirements.
Open PowerToys and enable the Keyboard Manager. Click “Remap a key” and choose the key to change (Key column) and then what to change it to (“Mapped to” column). You can either find the key in the dropdown menu or type it in manually. Map a key to “Undefined” to disable it entirely.
Remap shortcuts is similar, add the new shortcut you want to use, and then the shortcut you want to emulate. A useful option is “Target app” that changes the shortcut only for the specified process (use Task Manager > Details to get process names). For example, “RWin+I > Ctrl+Shift+N > Chrome” remaps Chrome’s new incognito window shortcut for Chrome.exe only and leaves the shortcut alone elsewhere in Windows.
Because it has to run in the background, PowerToys is best used if you also want to make use of other built in tools, like FancyZones or PowerToys Run. However, you can simply turn all the other features off to run the Keyboard Manager on its own.
2. SharpKeys
SharpKeys is an easy tool to use but it lacks a keyboard interface layout which could make it quicker to identify the keys you want to change. The main interface is pretty empty to start with and only the edits you have made will show up here. Pressing Add will get things started for remapping a new key. Select the From key in the list on the left which is the the key you want to move, and the To key on the right is where you want to map it.
Do note that not all entries in the list will be available on your keyboard and if you’re unsure, use the Type Key button and physically press the key you want to select. The top “Turn key off” option in the dropdown will disable the key entirely. Pressing “Write to Registry” when you’re done will commit the remapped keys to the Registry and you’ll be required to log off or reboot for the changes to take effect.
Use the Load/Save keys buttons to save the list of key changes so they can be loaded again later on. SharpKeys is available as a zipped portable version or an MSI setup installer, the .NET Framework 4 needs to be installed for Windows 7 users.
3. MapKeyboard
MapKeyboard is a portable and tiny keyboard remapper that is under 100KB in size. Just start the program and click on the key you want to remap. At the bottom left of the window, it will show in the “Remap selected key to:” box. Now all you have to do is click on the drop down menu and select the new assignment to give the key or select “Disabled” to turn the key off.
Keys you have edited in this or any other program that uses the Registry are shown in green in the window. When you have finished with the mappings, click the “Save layout” button which will prompt you to logoff for the changes to take effect. MapKeyboard requires .NET Framework v3 to be installed for Windows 10 (and 8/8.1 Windows) users.
MapKeyboard 2.1 was the last version but we are linking to 1.5 which is functionally the same but comes without ads in the window for some of the developer’s other products.
4. Key Mapper
Key Mapper is an easy to use and intuitive tool that can remap a key or disable it completely. To disable a key all you have to do is click on it and drag it off the program’s window, which will then turn the key a brownish color. To map one key to another, click on the key and then drag and drop it onto the key you want it assigned to which will turn the newly assigned key an aqua color.
Double clicking on a key will popup a window where previous edits can be reversed. All the available keys that can be assigned are displayed in categories which groups keys together according to their function. This makes it easier to find what you want and once you select the desired key from the list, simply press the Map button to assign it to the key. Alternatively, use the Capture button and press the desired key.
There is a useful option in the Mappings menu to export all the changes made to a registry file which you can then import later or use on another machine. The on-screen layout can be resized or changed to exclude the keypad, have typewriter keys only, or show a Mac style keyboard. Key Mapper requires .NET version 2/3 which you will be prompted to install if your Windows 10 system doesn’t have it installed already.
5. Keytweak
KeyTweak offers a few ways to help remap one keyboard key to another. It has a Full Teach Mode where you click the button to begin and just press the from key and then the key you want to map to, then click the “Remap #1 to #2” button. There is also a Half Teach Mode which differs from full teach by offering a drop down list of available keys for you to remap to.
The third way is by using the virtual keyboard in the main window to click on the key to change and then select the new mapping from the drop down below. This also gives you the option of quickly disabling a key and making use of any special keys your keyboard has such as media, Explorer, power, or internet keys.
The keyboard itself might be slightly confusing for some as it lists the scancode numbers for the keys and not the actual characters. Hovering over the key will show its friendly name in a tooltip. Click Apply when you’re done and reboot or log off. As KeyTweak is effectively abandonware and only one executable and pdf help file, we’ve extracted the setup installer and zipped the files to make it portable.
6. Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator
The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator allows you to create custom keyboard layouts completely from scratch or take an existing layout and edit it to your liking. It works by building and creating an installer that you can then install on any machine as an additional keyboard. There’s also three different setup options for the layout around the Enter key which is a useful feature for laptop and custom keyboards (View > Options).
Something MSKLC cannot touch is any special keys such as Enter, Shift, Control, Alt, Caps Lock, backspace, and the Function keys. The keys that are editable can have multiple entries for the normal keypress, Shift + keypress, Ctrl+Alt+ keypress, and Ctrl+Alt+Shift+ keypress. These can be shown on the main keyboard image by using the “Shift states” boxes on the left.
Existing layouts can be loaded in and edited via File > Load Existing Keyboard. Once you have finished editing, the new layout can be tested and validated before the package is built (via the Project menu). Windows 10 requires the .NET framework version 3 to be installed.
Keyboard Mapping Tool App
7. RemapKeyboard
This last tool is a portable standalone executable and only 79KB in size. RemapKeybaord is quite similar to SharpKeys in that it doesn’t have a visual keyboard layout or graphics but instead uses a list of keys in a map from and map to style. It also makes use of the scan code data in the registry.
Any custom scan code data from this or any other program will be shown in the far left pane. To create a new mapping, select the key from the list in the middle “Map this physical key” pane. Then, select the “to this effective function” key from the right pane. The disable key option is at the bottom of the list. Press “Add new mapping” at the top, then press “Save all mappings” to commit the changes to the registry.
Like all other tools using the registry scan code method, you have to log off or restart the system for the changes to take effect.
Final Note: These tools don’t create multiple function macro keys for launching programs or inputting text. They simply map one key on a keyboard to another or create different layouts of the standard keys. Also, laptop Fn or Function keys cannot usually be mapped because they are in most cases hardcoded and don’t represent a physical keypress. Your laptop might have a BIOS option or a dedicated utility from the manufacturer, but it’s unlikely these tools will help.
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6 Ways To Disable or Remap the Caps Lock Key On Your Keyboard5 Free Tools to Remap and Customize Mouse Button Actions5 Free KVM Switch Tools to Share Keyboard and Mouse on Multiple Computers2 Tools to Use your Keyboard LED’s as a Network Activity IndicatorHow to Install Bluetooth Keyboard on Windows 7Hello. Love this article, but I’m still confused as to which program to go for. I have an Indonesian computer, and I need a pound sign! I have a function key number 5. when I press it nothing happens. yep still nothing happens, just testing it. Can i assign my Function key number 5 to be a pound sign?
ReplyI’m not quite sure whether you mean the Fn function key a laptop keyboard or the simple F5 function key.
The pound sign can be typed with Alt+156 or Alt+0163 but unless you have it already on your keyboard as a standard key, I’m not sure if these tools can map it.
ReplyThis article says “…laptop Fn or Function keys cannot be mapped because they are in most cases hard coded into the keyboard and don’t actually represent a physical key press.”
My 2019 ThinkPad, which has the Function key in the lower left exactly where the Left Control should be, does have the Function key mapped as Special:Wake (or Fn) (EO-63).
I am researching Windows key mapping tools in order to find one which will let me map Left Shift + Function to be the new Function key and then map the horribly positioned Function key to be Left Control.
The Control key is a cornerstone key used by Windows Hot Key sequences several dozen (hundred?) times each day. Note to the wise: Never buy a laptop with a Function key where normal keys go or you will suffer through so many mistakes during the day.
ReplyThat may be a hardcoded mapping of your fn key but as far as I know, you can’t map an fn key to some other key on the keyboard, the F key for example.
ReplyHad the same problem. In the thinkpad’s BIOS you can switch the FN and CTRL keys to match normal laptop.
To get to BIOS you have to press one of keys when starting up before windows starts loading.
It be great to have a simple keyboard mapper than can also capture and combine mouse buttons.
For example capturing keyboard + mouse hotkeys and remapping to windows 10 media control / OSD overlay (for keyboards with no media keys for example):
3rvx.com
autohotkey.com
ReplyUnfortunately, most of these tools are useless if you want to remap for example PgUP to Ctrl+Left, since they can only remap single keys and not key-combos.
ReplyWhat about the portable “Multi Task Tool” recently added in major geeks website? I really love it, it allows mouse movements to be easily remapped to anything.
ReplyYou can look also on TouchCursor
Really useful.
martin-stone.github.io/touchcursor
ReplyWould love a program that removes key combos such as Left Alt Tab. Even auto hotkey is letting me down here. Also, it seems EA games override any key reassignment of the tilde key.
ReplyMost don’t work well. I have found none useful so far. MS KLC – once installed it is overridden by other keyboard layout (e.s. Korean) etc. What a dismal digital dismal dark age we live in! (Using PC with Win 7. Win 10 is good for many, but it is much more geared for I-Pad gadgetry stuff.
Keyboard Mapping Tool Online
ReplyHi Ray, thanks for the wonderful article, i have been able to remap and disable keys and use my laptop’s faulty keyboard efficiently but only after a boot into an operating system . i want to just know if there are any options that can enable the same before even a actual boot into a OS ie. for selecting between various options before boot ? Thanks & regards.
ReplyHi All,
1. Thanks RAY for this wonderful article ! 2. LazyCatz says ” Key remapper is better because it does not need to write any registry.” i also thought that but don’t know/understand how it works then ? May be it just doesn’t tell/ask you ! 3. sharpkeys portable does fine on my windows 7 & Vista. it seems its poor GUI doesn’t pose big difficuties ! Thanks & Regards.
Keyboard Mapping Vista
Reply
Key remapper is better because it does not need to wite any registry.
Replyto be cont.d…
Actually, KeyMapper talked straight to my needs. i had some non working keys and some unused keys !
Hi Friends,
i have some words 1) Keytweak download is not available from here. i used Keytweak from Hiren’s BootCD and its very ordinary. may it be that a new version is advanced . 2) SharpKeys asks to add an entry in registry which i don’t like at all ! 3) KeyMapper is outstanding but unfortunately doesn’t work on my Windows 7 64 Ultimate sp1 . though it works very well on my Vista Ultimate 32 Sp2. i used MapKeyboard on win 7 which is ordinary but no choice. 4) Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator , i didn’t give it a try because it prepares keyboard layout(s) which has/have to be installed ! i keep distance from installing items on my slow pc and it also has some limitations.
Regards,
Vineet Garg.
looks cool
thanks Raymond
Reply