How to Remap Your Keyboard Keys in Windows

Many laptop and PC users face the issue of having a broken keyboard. Although it is not a huge issue, we can still register the keypress without that particular key. Perhaps you are constantly hitting a specific key by mistake, such as CTRL or Caps Lock, and now want a specific key on your keyboard in a more suitable location. Also, there could be a key on your keyboard that you never appear to use. Also, there are some other reasons for remapping your keyboard keys in Windows:

There may be instances when you wish you could change the layout of a keyboard according to your preference.

You can also remap your keyboard when you utilize your Windows keyboard with the Mac operating system.

If you typically use your PC for gaming, you can consider remapping keys that will help you play games comfortably.

If you have a job that requires you to use a single key frequently, remapping it to a key that is easily accessible can have a positive effect on your workflow.

In all of these cases, remapping the keyboard keys is a simple solution. When you hit a key on the keyboard, it transmits a “scan code” to Windows to know which key is pressed. To map one key to another, scan codes are changed in the system registry. However, manually changing the registry is challenging. Some applications do not run in the background, while others do.

Third-Party Tools for Remapping Your Keyboard Keys in Windows

Numerous software are available for remapping keys. In this article, you will learn how to remap your keyboard keys using two different methods. So let’s begin:

Remap Your Keyboard Keys Using PowerToys

Microsoft “PowerToys” is a collection of tools designed to help users optimize and streamline their Windows 10 experience for increased productivity. It is a free program downloaded online. In PowerToys, the “Keyboard Manager” is a built-in feature that permits you to remap one keyboard key to another, as well as remap keyboard shortcuts. PowerToys application operates in the background, and it does not require changing the scan code of keys. If you do not have PowerToys installed on your Windows, download it for free, and follow the installation procedure below:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/1-10.jpg" data-lazy- height="660" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1365″>

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/2-10.jpg" data-lazy- height="106" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”463″>

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/3-10.jpg" data-lazy- height="463" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”644″>

At this point, a PowerToys setup wizard will appear on the screen. Click on “Next” to continue:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/4-9.jpg" data-lazy- height="396" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”495″>

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/5-9.jpg" data-lazy- height="397" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”495″>

Click the “Install” button to start the PowerToys installation process on your Windows:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/6-9.jpg" data-lazy- height="396" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”498″>

Once you have installed the PowerToys software, open it and explore the “Key Manager” section:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/7-10.jpg" data-lazy- height="666" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1246″>

PowerToys offers you the functionality to remap keyboard keys and shortcuts. Now, we will show you how to remap keys using this software. For that, click on the “Remap a key” button under the “Remap Keys” section:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/8-7.jpg" data-lazy- height="667" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1262″>

A window will pop up on your screen. Click on the “[ ]” button to remap a key:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/9-8.jpg" data-lazy- height="366" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”891″>

Next, assign the key you wish to remap in the “Key” column and add the other key in the “Mapped to” column with the key you want to be remapped. For instance, we selected “Scroll Lock“:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/10-8.jpg" data-lazy- height="476" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”892″>

Then, in the “Mapped To” column, choose a single or combination of keys according to your preference:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/11-7.jpg" data-lazy- height="638" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”907″>

In the “Keyboard Manager” settings, the mapped key will be listed, which indicates that your customized mapping has been saved, and it is currently operating:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/12-5.jpg" data-lazy- height="662" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1279″>

Remap Your Keyboard Keys Using SharpKeys

The “SharpKeys” is a simple, open-source software that forces the Windows registry to remap a single key to another. It is ideal for one-to-one key remapping because it publishes this information directly to the Windows registry. As Windows interprets the keystrokes, you do not need to rely on any other program as a middleman, and you will experience the fewest compatibility concerns. Start the application after downloading it.

Click on the Downloaded file; then you will be welcomed by the SharpKeys Setup Wizard:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/13-4.jpg" data-lazy- height="416" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”499″>

Browse for your SharpKeys installation folder. Install this useful software for every user by selecting the “Everyone” option, then click the “Next” button:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/14-4.jpg61133b3fa5a0d.jpg" data-lazy- height="412" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”501″>

Wait for few minutes as the SharpKeys application is being installed on your system:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/15-6.jpg" data-lazy- height="410" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”499″>

After you have successfully installed the software, Open it by searching “SharpKeys” in the search box:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/16-3.jpg61133b3fb377a.jpg" data-lazy- height="629" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”893″>

The interface of the SharpKeys will look like this:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/17-1.jpg" data-lazy- height="542" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”733″>

Click on the “Add” Button to remap any keyboard key. Next, define the key you wish to remap in the “Make this key (from_key)” column and add the preferred key in the “To this key (To_key)” column with what you want your keyboard key to be remapped:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/18-1.jpg" data-lazy- height="544" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”737″>

You can also “Type a key” for the key remap assignment. Then, click on the “OK” button:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/19.jpg" data-lazy- height="545" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”734″>

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/20.jpg" data-lazy- height="545" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”737″>

Congratulations! Your keyboard is successfully remapped. Now, restart your system to make these changes permanently:

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/echo/21.jpg61133b3fd33ab.jpg" data-lazy- height="544" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”732″>

Conclusion

While the basic Windows keyboard layout has stayed consistent over time for good reason, there may be instances when you want to change your keyboard layout for gaming or use with macOS. Remapping keys is an excellent method to customize your keyboard, whether one of your keys has unexpectedly stopped working or you simply want to utilize the less-used keys. In this article, you learned how to change your keyboard key on Windows using PowerToys and SharpKeys software. We recommend you use PowerToys for the key remapping, as it also offers many other customization options.