As you know, for most PC or Mac computers or laptops, standard keyboards are used with a predefined key layout and language layouts. For many users, for example, when changing the operating system or the equipment itself, it can be quite difficult to get used to the new position of the buttons. In this case, you can reassign the keys on the keyboard so that they correspond to the layout that the user is used to. But most often this applies only to those situations when the user does not look at the characters when entering text, but applies the so-called blind printing.
Why is it necessary to reassign the keys on the keyboard?
But the matter is not limited to the above situations. Quite often, you can also find cases where on a computer or laptop some key is out of order.
In the case of standard equipment in the form of PS / 2 keyboards, the issue is resolved simply by simply buying a new one. But what if a breakdown occurs on a laptop? Replacing a laptop keyboard is not cheap. Here, as an alternative, you can simply reassign the keys on the keyboard, abandoning rarely used buttons. However, one can meet even more primitive situations when it is necessary to change the combinations corresponding to switching languages ​​and layouts.
How to change keyboard shortcuts: Windows tools
To begin, consider the simplest option associated with language layouts. By default, all recent Windows systems use a left-click Alt switch in combination with Shift to change the language. But many users prefer to change the language and layout using the Ctrl / Shift combination, considering it more convenient.
To change the switch, you must use the standard “Control Panel”, in which the section of the language (Windows 10) or languages ​​and regional standards (Windows 7, for example) is selected. Next, we go to additional parameters and select a change in the keyboard shortcut of the language panel by pressing the corresponding button in a new window, after which the Ctrl / Shift combination from the list is simply indicated.
In principle, you can reassign keys in the sense of changing a character or action using a small keyboard and mouse control program MS Keyboard Layout Creator, which can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft website. After starting the application, it is enough to select a list of all actions, and if necessary, change them for each individual button until the keys are completely turned off. Here you can change the purpose of the operating keys like Shift, Alt, etc.
Reassignment through the registry
You can also reassign keys on the keyboard in a more complicated way without using third-party utilities, using the settings and parameters of the registry, the editor of which is called by the regedit command through the Run console.
Here you need to find the KeyboardLayout directory in the HKLM branch through the SOFTWARE directory. Here you will have to create string parameters with the indication of the button codes for reassignment from one key to another. The process is quite laborious, therefore, it will not be useful to most users, since without knowledge of the codes of reassignment, shutdown, and order of inputting characters, such operations will be quite problematic. It’s just that the technique is given for a general understanding that this can also be done in the registry.
Most popular third-party apps
But suppose the user on the Shift keyboard or some other key does not work. It is much easier to reassign using special applications, which are just for this purpose.
Among the many programs of this type are particularly popular and are notable for the ease of performing the necessary operations, the following:
- MapKeyboard
- SharpKeys;
- MKey.
Mapkeyboard
This program to reassign keys on the keyboard makes it as quick and easy as possible. After starting the utility, an on-screen keyboard will appear.
Let's say you need to reassign the Caps Lock or Shift button. On the (virtual) keyboard, press the button you want, through the Remap selected key line, select a new character or operation of another key, and then save the settings by clicking the Save Layout button. Upon completion of all actions, a reboot of the system is required.
Sharpeys
Before us is another simple program. The procedure is almost the same as in the past case. First, the (Add) key is added, then a new letter or action is selected from the list (Turn Key Off completely off), after which the changes are saved by pressing the Write To Registry button, and then, again, the system is completely restarted.
The only and most important problem of this utility is that it does not work with the Fn key, and the reassignment of Cyrillic characters must be done using their counterparts in the English layout.
Mkey
Finally, another small application (this time in Russian) that allows you to reassign any button and even change the standard combinations or set your own combinations.
As usual, the original key is added first, then the click emulation line is used, a letter or the action of another key is selected from the list, and the changes are saved by clicking on the button with the image of the diskette. By the way, this program compares favorably with the previous two in that it allows not only reassigning keys, but can also be used to configure various kinds of manipulators, gamepads, or actions with software players.
Conclusion
That's all for reassignment operations. In principle, depending on the situation, the system’s own tools can also be used. In the literal sense, you can reassign only standard combinations that were originally laid down in the OS settings. If you do not use third-party utilities, you will have to deal with the registry, but this is quite complicated. Therefore, if the question arises of quickly carrying out all the necessary operations, it is better to give preference to the applications described above. And the MKey program (short for Media Key) in this regard looks more convenient in all respects, only constantly “hanging” in the system tray. But her resource consumption is minimal, so this will not affect the speed of the computer or laptop.