How to Remap Your Keyboard

Customize Your Keyboard to Suit Your Needs

The Armchair Geek
The Armchair Geek, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Oct 5, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
The keyboard. Along with the mouse, it is the most commonly used peripheral on your computer. Almost every computer application requires the use of the keyboard in some form or fashion.

There are several types of keyboards and keyboard layouts to suit a variety of user's preferences. The standard keyboard layout is the 104-key QWERTY layout. Some people prefer the DVORAK layout, while many in France and Belgium favor the AZERTY layout.

Some people hate the Caps Lock key because it can be easily pressed and you can ACCIDENTALLY TYPE IN ALL CAPS. For this reason, some people may want to find a way to disable the Caps Lock key. Then there are those who need a keyboard with even more keys so as to satisfy all of their needs.

Given all the different needs, preferences and predilections, there will always be an occasional need to remap your keyboard.With the proper software, remapping the keyboard is a very easy task.

The keyboard layout information is stored in the registry key, and can be changed by editing the scan code. The destination for this scan code is: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet. You can modify the scan code manually, but it is strongly recommended that you download software that does it for you, because with it, you have the chance to undo any mistakes you may make.

One of the most powerful keyboard remappers is SharpKeys. SharpKeys is enables you to remap 104 different key combinations. It is also lets you disable select keys as well. It has an easy user interface: all you have to do is edit the existing key mapping and click "Write to registry" when you have made all of your changes. You can also add specialty keys that perform specific functions like the Windows Key.

SharpKeys comes strongly recommended because of its stability and its range of features.

Another competent keyboard remapping software is the Microsoft Keyboard Creator. The main advantage of using this keyboard tweaker is simply that it is developed by Microsoft and is thus fully supported. You will need .NET 2.0 or higher in order to install the Microsoft's Keyboard Creator.

The only disadvantage associated with this application is the fact that you can't disable the Caps Lock key. Yes, it can do everything in keyboard world - except disable Caps Lock. All in all, however, this keymapping program very powerful, and can be used to configure a large number of layouts. It is especially recommended for system administrators.

Published by The Armchair Geek

We are a Mid-West PLR Firm specializing in creating powerful web content for clients in a wide array of industries. This is a sampling of some of our IT-focused articles. For more of our work, you can co...  View profile

  • Along with the mouse, the keyboard is the most commonly used peripheral on your computer
  • The keyboard layout information is stored in the registry key
  • Aside from the standard 104-key QWERTY layout., there are also the DVORAK and AZERTY layouts
There are several types of keyboards and keyboard layouts to suit a variety of user's preferences. The standard keyboard layout is the 104-key QWERTY layout. Some people prefer the DVORAK layout, while many in France and Belgium favor the AZERTY layout.

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.