Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Outside of a few standard layouts, truly customizing the layout of your keyboard is typically harder than you might expect.
How can I disable my "Windows" key? Or for that matter, remap my entire keyboard?
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If your needs are "standard" then the approach while well hidden is pretty easy. However if you want a truly arbitrary mapping this is one of those areas that you'd expect to be a lot easier than it turns out to be.
By "standard" I really mean "something that Microsoft has already thought of". That boils down to two things: a predefined set of foreign keyboard layouts and the Dvorak keyboard layout. (Dvorak is an alternative to the standard QWERTY layout that you can read much more about here.)
If you want to do something non-standard though, things get very interesting and possibly complicated.
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For some types of changes such as disabling the Windows key it's possible that your keyboard driver already has a solution for you. I happen to use one of Microsoft's keyboards, and the Intellitype Pro software that is installed includes the ability to do exactly that: configure most of the "special" keys including disabling the Windows key. (Control Panel -> Keyboard -> Key Settings has a list of keys that can then be individually configured.)
It's possible that your needs might also be met by keyboard macro program. These programs allow you to assign sequences of keystrokes or actions to a single key. This could be a viable option if you're looking to simply change the function of a few keys. Of course, you could assign new single keystroke actions to all your keys. The specific capabilities of the programs vary so be sure to check them out to make sure they meet your needs. There are several including EZ Macros, Hot Keyboard, and Macro ToolsWorks.
If you really want to remap the keyboard in arbitrary ways without using a macro utility I have found one utility: Keyboard Layout Manager. This tool is designed to do exactly what we've been talking about: reassign the functionality of individual keys on the keyboard.
And finally, Microsoft also documents the Scan Code Mapper for Windows, the technique to add entries to the registry to perform the mapping manually.
Update 06-Feb-2004: I just became aware of a new free keyboard remapper that might be of interest: KeyTweak. If you try it let me know how it works.
Article C1861 - November 16, 2003
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
my laptop's windows key was stuck and i was unable to use it. key tweak helped me out and thanks to you from where i got the link to it.. otherwise i might have to change my keyboard or get it repaired which could cost me a lot.. thanks once again..
Posted by: waqas at February 19, 2009 2:41 PMI have developed a Windows Application using C#.Net. By default, F10 key activates the menu-bar. How can I change the functionality of F10 key to my own functionality?
Posted by: Mukul at July 18, 2009 10:55 PMHere is a program can disable any key on your keyboard,not only windows key:
Posted by: kevin at February 19, 2010 11:12 PMhttp://www.autowinsoftware.com/products/disable-key
I want to set the windows key to be another modifier like control or alt. Do you have any idea how to do this. I do not use the windows key at all.
I have Xemacs installed in both Windows and Linux. Linux has the windows key mapped as another modifier: the Super key. So many Linux users assign user-written macros in Xemacs to be invoked by keypresses like Super-v or Super-n, or Super-Control-a. This leaves all Xemacs built in commands working out of the box, but gives you a large area to map your own macros and lisp code to. Works great, but when you want to use something similar in Windows XP, Windows preempts the Windows key.
How can I re-define the Windows key to be a modifier like Alt?
Is there a list of modifier keys in Windows?
I would really like to have both the LWin key and the right hand equivelent key (document key?) both mapped to be the same, new, modifier key.
Can you point me in the right direction?
Posted by: steve at March 19, 2011 1:00 AMThanks!
sir, i prepared a game. but i want to disable some of the keys in the keyboard. plz suggest me. and how to enable the keys also....
Posted by: devi at July 6, 2011 1:41 AMplz tell me the answer as early as possible