remap keys keyboard

How do I reassign hot keys for my keyboard?

You can reassign some keys to access different commands, shortcuts, or Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center features to better fit your work style.

Note:  The options listed in this wizard vary depending on the key selected. For example, since you cannot reassign the Windows key, the only option available is to disable it.

To reassign a key

Download and install the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center .

Connect the keyboard that you want to configure.

Select the Start  button, and then select Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center .

From the displayed list of key names, select the key that you want to reassign.

In the command list of the key that you want to reassign, select a command.

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How-To Geek

How to remap any key or shortcut on windows 10.

Swapping the keycaps between keys doesn't count as "Remapping."

Quick Links

Remap keys with powertoys, how to remove the new key mapping, how to disable or remap keys using sharpkeys [alternative method], use your keyboard's software to remap keys, key takeaways.

Install Microsoft PowerToys from GitHub, launch it, and then navigate to Keyboard Manager > Remap a Key. Click the plus button, and then select the key you want to rebind from the list. You can click the trash can icon to remove a remapping at any time.

Would you like to use a different keyboard key to perform a certain task in Windows 10? Thanks to PowerToys , it's easy to remap any key to another key or even a shortcut combination on your keyboard. Here's how to set it up.

Microsoft makes it easy to remap keys with PowerToys , a free utility available for download online. Using PowerToys, you can make any key on your keyboard act like any other key — and even remap shortcuts.

If you don't already have PowerToys installed, download it for free from Github. After you install it, launch PowerToys Settings, then click "Keyboard Manager" in the sidebar. In the "Keyboard Manager" settings, click "Remap a Key."

When the "Remap Keyboard" window pops up, click the plus button ("+") to add a new key mapping.

After that, you'll need to define which key you want to remap (in the "Key:" column), and what key or shortcut you want it to perform (in the "Mapped To:" column).

First, select the key you'll be remapping in the "To:" column by either clicking the "Type" button and pressing the key on your keyboard, or by selecting it from the list in the drop-down menu. For example, we'll pick Scroll Lock here, since it often sits unused.

Next, select the key or shortcut you want to perform in the "Mapped To" column. For a single key, you can either choose it from the drop-down menu or click the "Type" button, then press it on your keyboard.

If you want to use a shortcut key combination, press the "Type" button, then press the combination on your keyboard. For example, here we've typed "Ctrl+C" for the standard Windows "Copy" shortcut.

After you have both "Key:" and "Mapped To:" columns defined, click "OK."

If you see a warning that one key will be left unassigned, click "Continue Anyway." This means that you won't be able to access the original function of the key that you just remapped.

(In our example, there will be no way to use Scroll Lock unless you remap another key to perform the original Scroll Lock function).

Next, you'll see the resulting mapping listed in the "Keyboard Manager" settings. That means your custom mapping has been saved and is now active.

If you want to add more mappings, click "Remap a key" again. When you're done, close PowerToys Settings completely, and your remapped key (or keys) will remain in effect. Use them as much as you'd like. You can always go back and adjust your mappings later if necessary.

Later on, if you want to remove the custom mapping you made, relaunch Power Toys Settings, then click "Keyboard Manager" and "Remap a key" again. In the list of mappings, click the trash can icon beside the mapping you'd like to delete.

The mapping will be removed. After that, click "OK" to close the window. Then you can either exit PowerToys completely or create a new mapping using the guide above. Have fun!

The major problem with PowerToys is that the remappings only work if the PowerToys application is running, so they won't work on the login screen. There also seem to be issues with the remappings not working properly in games and some other places. The solution? Use the old-school Windows Registry key remapping technique... but do it the easy way, using the open-source SharpKeys application.

SharpKeys won't let you remap shortcut key combinations, so you can't remap ALT+C to CTRL+C, for example, but you can do things like remap or disable the Caps Lock key on any version of Windows .

Install the application from their Github project page or from the Microsoft Store , open it up (clicking through the annoying Windows SmartScreen warnings), and then click the Add button to open up the Add New Key Mapping dialog.

We've been using SharpKeys literally since Windows Vista was around. That's a long time.

Many modern keyboards also have special software that allows you to remap keys as well. Since all of their software is different we can't definitively say "Here is how you do it." Generally speaking, you'll be looking for an option like "Customize," "Keybind," "Bind," or "Remap."

Here is a quick list to some of the specialized software available for different keyboard brands, though keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list.

• Logitech G Hub
• Corsair iCUE
• SteelSeries Engine
• Razer Synapse
• HyperX NGENUITY
• Roccat Swarm

Your keyboard software probably lets you do other things besides modify keybinds. For example, if your keyboard has extra keys, or RGB, the manufacturer software is typically required to utilize them.

April 11, 2023

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Remapping 101: How to change your keyboard key output

Your PC or laptop keyboard doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. If you’re not a fan of certain key placements or find that you aren’t using some of your keys, you can rearrange the functions of your keys however you like. Most keyboards are laid out in the same way, but Windows 11 features  allow you to make the necessary adjustments to help you type more comfortably. Learn how you can remap your keys and change keyboard outputs on Windows 11 .

Why remap your keyboard?

If you’re used to a standard keyboard layout, you may not initially see the value in remapping your keys. Here are some common reasons for changing keyboard outputs:

• Typing on a foreign keyboard. If you want to type in any language besides English, it can be difficult to type seamlessly on an English-only keyboard. By switching your key functions, you can cater to different language settings.
• Using your keyboard for PC gaming. PC gamers rely on their keyboards to play their favorite games. Remapping your keys to best suit your gaming needs can improve performance and make your frequently used keys more accessible.
• Repurposing underused keys. Not everyone uses their keys the same way. If it seems like a key that you don’t often use is taking up valuable space on your keyboard, you can reassign its function to find a good use for it and increase productivity.

Popular QWERTY alternatives

You may notice that top row of letters on your keyboard, going left to right, spells QWERTY. However, there are other popular keyboard layouts that can help you type faster or more comfortably. Learn more about each layout and how they might benefit your typing:

• AZERTY. The AZERTY layout simply moves the output of the Q , W , and M keys. It is most often used in France and other surrounding countries.
• Dvorak. The Dvorak layout puts the most used keys in the middle row, which decreases finger movement. This typing method can help reduce strain in your fingers, which makes for a more ergonomic experience.
• Colemak. The Colemak layout offers a slight improvement on the Dvorak layout. It also places the commonly used keys in the middle row, but it keeps the useable features of the QWERTY layout intact.

How to remap your keys on Windows 11

The easiest way to change your keyboard functions on Windows 11 is to use the Keyboard Manager  utility. The Keyboard Manager is one of many utilities available in Microsoft PowerToys , which are a collection of productivity tools that allow users to customize their Windows experience.

How does Keyboard Manager work?

Once you’ve downloaded PowerToys onto your device, select Keyboard Manager and toggle Enable Keyboard Manager. You’ll find separate sections for remapping keys and remapping shortcuts, each of which can be adjusted to your liking. Some keys and shortcuts cannot be remapped in Keyboard Manager, and these limitations are highlighted on the platform. PowerToys must be running for the key mapping to work, so make sure you don’t close out of the program after making your selections.

What other keyboard mapping functions are available on Windows?

If you are still running Windows 10 on your PC, you can download Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator  to create your own keyboard layouts. Microsoft keyboard users can also try the Mouse and Keyboard Center  app to get the most out of the customization features within the accessories. Other keyboard mapping options can be downloaded on Microsoft Apps .

By learning how to remap your keys, you can break the mold and take control of how you use your keyboard. Shop for Microsoft Keyboards  to find the perfect keyboard to test your remapped keys on Windows 11 .

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Remapping/Reprogramming your Keyboard

If you'd like to change what each key on your keyboard does, this process is called remapping, as you're changing what's called a keymap on your board. There are a few ways this can be done, each with its pros and cons and also varying degree of of difficulty.

What is QMK? ​

First of all, every board at Keebio is compatible with QMK Firmware and are all pre-flashed with a default QMK Firmware and keymap . QMK Firmware is an open-source keyboard firmware, and most keyboards within the mechanical keyboard community use QMK. QMK also encompasses a suite of other tools, such as QMK Configurator and QMK Toolbox .

QMK Firmware has a lots of features, like supporting multiple layers, macros, Mod-Tap, mouse keys, split keyboards, backlighting, RGB, etc., which makes is a popular choice for hobbyists. There are alternative keyboard firmwares out there, but these are not officially supported by Keebio.

Remapping Options ​

There are 3 main options for changing your board's keymap, ordered from least difficult to most difficult to use:

• VIA Configurator
• QMK Configurator
• QMK Firmware build environment

Here are some pros and cons of each method:

• Pros: Easist to use, instant keymap updates, no flashing firmware required, live lighting controls, layout option controls, macro editor, can remap encoders for some boards
• Cons: Does not support every board, limit of 4 layers
• Pros: Stays up to date with QMK firmware, all boards in QMK repository are supported
• Cons: Need to reflash board to update keymap, can't remap encoders
• Pros: Can reconfigure encoders, access to more features like tap dance
• Cons: Can be complex to setup, involves editing code and using Git

VIA Configurator ​

For some older Keebio boards, the VIA firmware pre-flashed to the board does not have encoder remapping enabled, as that feature didn't originally exist. However, new VIA firmware is available now, so check here to see if an update is available for your board: VIA Firmware Upgrades .

For VIA usage instructions, see VIA Usage Guide .

QMK Configurator ​

For QMK Configurator , see the QMK Configurator Guide

QMK Firmware Build Environment ​

Setting up a QMK build environment and compiling your own firmware provides the most flexibility in terms of features and control, but it is also the most complicated of the options out there.

Note that not all features of QMK are supported by the VIA Configurator, so if you want to use more advanced features of QMK like Tap Dance, then you'll need to setup a QMK build environment . By default on most VIA-supported keyboards, there is a limit of 4 layers. This can sometimes be increased, but once again, this requires setting up a QMK build environment.

Flashing Your Keyboard ​

If using either QMK Configurator or a QMK Firmware build environment, you'll need to flash the generated .hex/.bin file to your keyboard. See Flashing Firmware for details about doing this.

• What is QMK?
• Remapping Options
• QMK Firmware Build Environment
• Flashing Your Keyboard

Remapping the keyboard

Keyboard remapping lets you associate a sequence of keystrokes with a particular action, so that typing the sequence of keystrokes causes the action to occur. The sequence of keystrokes can be either a single key or a single key combined with Shift, Ctrl, or Alt. The action can be to display a character, to execute a host function, to execute a custom function, or to execute a menu command.

To access the Keyboard window, either click the Remap button on the toolbar, click Edit > Preferences > Keyboard, or click Keyboard in the session properties. The numberic keys 0-9 and * and # can be remapped.

This remainder of this help file contains the following subsections:

Key assignment Assigning keys to functions Assigning keys to custom functions Assigning keys to applets Assigning keys to macros Duplicate key assignments Unassigning keys Searching for key assignments Restoring key assignments Restrictions on key remapping APL keyboard support

Key Assignment

• Current session

The current keyboard definition in your session is selected by default. In order to open a keyboard or toolbar definition file, it must have been previously saved to a drive (shared or local) to which you have access. For more information, refer to Opening Keyboard, Popup Keypad and Toolbar configuration components .

When you select a category, the specific functions within that category appear in the table below, along with the keys assigned to those functions. Select a function in this table to change its key assignment. Refer to Default Characters and Functions for more information.

Assigning keys to functions

To assign or reassign a key to a function:

• Start from a host session window.
• Click Edit > Preference > Keyboard, or click the Remap button on the toolbar.
• Click the Key Assignment tab.
• Select a Category.
• Select the function you want to assign a key to.
• Click Assign a Key.
• After you have successfully assigned all the keys you want, click OK.

Assigning keys to custom functions

If you want to assign a key or key combination to a custom function that is not currently listed in Keyboard Remap under the Custom Functions category, you can define these functions using the Custom Function Editor . When you do this, the Custom Functions category will appear with your newly defined functions, which can then be assigned to any key. Complete the assignment by following the steps for Assigning keys to functions , choosing Custom Functions as the category.

You can optionally define a custom function in the HTML or Java script file used to start the sessions. See adding additional HTML parameters for more information.

Assigning keys to applets

To assign or reassign a key to an applet, you must first run the applet:

• Click Actions > Run Applet, or click the Run Applet button on the toolbar.

The applet is now available for a key assignment.

• Complete the assignment by following the steps for Assigning keys to functions .

Assigning keys to macros

• Before you can assign a key combination to a macro, you must create a macro, either by clicking Actions > Record Macro or by importing a macro using the Macro Editor .
• Click on Edit > Preferences > Keyboard to access the Key Remapping facility.
• Use the pull-down menu to select the Macro category.
• Once you have selected the Macro category, your macro should appear in the list in the table, and you can assign a key combination to it by following the steps for Assigning keys to functions . Note: If you select a macro in a User Library, then Host On-Demand searches all user library locations for the selected macro name at the time you run the macro. See Searching user-defined macro locations for more information.

Duplicate key assignments

Duplicate keys on a keyboard can be assigned to independent functions.  Duplicate keys include keys like Shift or Ctrl that occur in multiple places on the keyboard.  To assign unique mappings for duplicate keys, follow the steps for Assigning keys to functions . 

This support does not affect keys used as modifiers.  If you use Ctrl, Alt, Shift or Meta in combination with another key, then no key location is processed with regard to the modifier.  For example, for the key combination Shift+Enter, the location of the Shift key is disregarded.  Therefore, the right or left Shift keys both act in the same manner for this combination, since the Shift key is defined as the modifier.

Unassigning keys

To undo an assignment of a key to a function, select the function, and then click Unassign Key.

Searching for key assignments

To find out if a key has already been assigned to a function:

• Click Search for Key.
• On your keyboard, press the key or key combination you are interested in.

If there is that key has already been assigned a function, that function will appear highlighted along with its assigned key. If no function is assigned to that key, a "Not Assigned" message will appear.

Restoring key assignments

To restore a previously reassigned key to its default assignment:

• Click Reset Key.
• Click the key you want to restore.

To restore all keys to their default assignments, click Reset All.

Restrictions on key remapping

Please note the following restrictions on key remapping:

When using Java 2 with Host On-Demand, the Ctrl-Tab and the Ctrl-Shift-Tab key combinations cannot be remapped. With Java 2, these key combinations are consumed by the Java Focus Manager and are not returned to Host On-Demand for processing.

Certain key combinations are treated in a similar fashion and cannot be assigned to different keyboard functions.

Duplicate key support only applies to Host On-Demand clients running with a Java Plug-in of 1.4.0 or newer. Macintosh clients require a JRE of version 1.4.2 or newer for duplicate key support.  If the JRE is older than version 1.4.2, it does not recognize the locations of keys on the keyboard.

For JREs older than version 1.4, key events, such as key pressed and key released, are dependent upon the operating system and keyboard layout of the machine where they are processed. The JRE makes no distinction between the following: 

• key function for Control received from the right or left Control keys 
• key function for Alt received from the right or left Alt keys 

Duplicate key support does not affect keys used as modifiers.  If you use Ctrl, Alt, Shift or Meta in combination with another key, then no key location is processed with regard to the modifier.  A Host On-Demand user or administrator cannot assign different key remapping functions to the following: 

• The same key combination using the right and left Control keys, or 
• The same key combination using right and left Alt keys 

The JRE processes these key combinations as the same key event. For example, if since Right Ctrl+P is processed in the same way as Left Ctrl+P by the JRE, then these key combinations cannot be assigned to different key remapping functions in Host On-Demand.

If you reassign a duplicate key that is a left Shift/Ctrl/Alt/Meta key or a numpad key, and you bring up Host On-Demand in a previous Java release (or Host On-Demand version 8.0 or earlier), you will receive an Unknown key code message.  

Some duplicate keys do not appear on all keyboards, however, Java is not capable of testing to see if a particular key exists.  Therefore, the key remapping facility might have default assignments for keys that do not exist on your keyboard.  You can delete these key remaps, but you will not be able to reassign them.

When you are mapping keys as an administrator, keep in mind that some clients might not have the same keyboard layout that you do (for example, the user may lack the Meta Key or Command key on Macintosh). Plan your mappings accordingly, otherwise clients might not be able to use some of the default mappings.

• Ctrl+Alt+muhenkan key
• Ctrl+Alt+zenkaku/hankaku key
• Korean/English key

APL keyboard support

By default, Host On-Demand now provides APL keyboard support. Prior to this, APL keyboard support was provided by running customized applet in Host On-demand. In this case, you need to write the applet that contains your mapping for APL keys. With this new enhancement, you no longer need to do this. The APL support in Host On-demand is similar to what is provided with IBM Personal Communications. APL keyboard can be enabled or disabled by pressing Ctrl+F8 . APL support is meant only for 3270 sessions.

3278 APL Extended Character Code support

Host On-Demand supports 3278 APL Extended Character Code along with 3270 APL Characters for 3270 Display sessions.

Configuration: The ExtendedAPL applet that has the mappings for 3278 APL Extended Character Set can be added to the session at startup. You can perform the following tasks:

• Set the Auto-Start pull-down to Applet .
• Type com.ibm.eNetwork.HOD.applet.ExtendedAPL in the Auto-Start Name field.
• Save the HTML file.
• On the client system, click the saved new or modified HTML file to access.
• You can enable or disable APL by pressing the Ctrl+F11 keys .

To run this applet after the session has been started,you can select Actions > Run applet from the session menu and type com.ibm.eNetwork.HOD.applet.ExtendedAPL as the name of the applet.

To run this applet in WCT, you need to add the hodappln2.jar (or hodappl2.jar if the problem determination is enabled) user as the User Jar file when creating the plugin.

This support is available only for the Type 3 APL keyboard layout. (It is not available for codepages in BIDI, Thai, and Hindi.)

Follow the steps below to configure the Regional and Language settings of the system:

• Set Regional Options as English (United States)
• Set Keyboard layout as English (United States) - US

When the ExtendedAPL applet is running, the Ctrl+F11 key combination is always used to enable and disable Extended APL mode, and any action assigned to this combination in keyremap will be ignored.

Related topics:

• Specifying a key as repeating or non-repeating
• Specifying keystroke buffering
• Default characters and functions

How to remap keyboard keys on Windows

Need to rebind a key on your Windows PC or laptop? We'll show you how.

There are many reasons why you might want to rebind your keys since it allows you to change how your computer interprets each keystroke. Whether you want to reroute a broken or missing key, set up a cool keyboard layout, or trigger powerful macros on a brand-new custom keyboard , we’ll show you how to rebind keyboard keys on Windows, as well as how to remap shortcuts to a new keyboard combination.

What to know before remapping your keys

Customizing keyboard shortcuts can be a great way to level up your productivity, and the best way to do that is with Microsoft PowerToys. This method will work across both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and requires no registry edits or third-party software.

However, PowerToys is not available on Windows 7/8, so this method won’t work on those versions or older. If you’re still on Windows 7/8, we recommend you upgrade, especially while Windows 10 is still available as a free upgrade . Windows 11 Pro is also regularly available at a significant discount and brings a host of other productivity improvements for power users. But for PowerToys, you just need Windows 11 Home.

For those seeking some alternative productivity hacks, many modern keyboards or gaming mice include third-party tools for configuring more complex macros. And if you are comfortable making registry edits, you could also disable intrusive suggestions in Windows 11 for a more streamlined Windows experience. For most people, though, PowerToys is the best solution.

What is Microsoft PowerToys?

Microsoft provides a first-party solution for remapping Windows keyboard keys with PowerToys, a collection of tools designed to help Windows 10/11 users fine-tune their experience. Microsoft regularly updates PowerToys with popular third-party tweaks or customizations. This includes a Keyboard Manager where you can remap your keys, along with a Text Extractor for getting text from images and more.

PowerToys does require installation, so you’ll need administrator access, but it’s free on the Microsoft Store.

How to install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store

• Open the Microsoft Store by searching for it in the Start menu.
• Enter PowerToys into the top search bar and select the first result.

How to install PowerToys from Github

As an alternative to the Microsoft Store, you can install PowerToys from Github. This is useful when you aren't signed in with a Microsoft account on your PC or if you want to install a previous or beta version. To install from Github, follow these steps:

• Browse to the GitHub releases page for Microsoft PowerToys .
• Locate the release version you want. You may find it easier to browse releases by tag. To do this, select Tags at the top.
• We recommend you install per user.
• Make sure you select the correct architecture for your PC. If you’re unsure, download the x86 version.
• Once downloaded, open the executable and follow the installer’s instructions.

How to use PowerToys to remap keys

PowerToys includes a whole feature suite designed to help improve your Windows experience, so there’s plenty to play around with , including remapping keys. Once you’re in PowerToys, follow the steps below to set up a basic keyboard binding:

• Click Open Settings to enter the main interface.
• Verify that the Enable Keyboard Manager toggle is enabled. (It should be on by default.)
• Select Remap a Key .
• Click Select on the left and right-hand side boxes.
• Choose the key to remap and the key to press. You can also select the key from the dropdown menu.
• Add a new row with two boxes labeled Select .
• Enter a key to remap (left) and a target (right) by scrolling through the menu or by pressing the key on your keyboard.
• Verify that your new keybinding has appeared in the main PowerToys Keyboard Manager window.
• Close PowerToys and try out your keybinding.

Remapping a keyboard shortcut in PowerToys

PowerToys also enables you to remap an entire keyboard shortcut. Here’s how to do that:

• Open PowerToys and select Keyboard Manager in the sidebar.
• Verify that the Enable Keyboard Manager toggle is enabled.
• Using the left-hand side Select button, choose the shortcut to remap. You can hold down multiple keys at once here. I’ve selected Ctrl + C to remap in this example.
• Optionally, enter the name of an app in the Target App field. This limits the rebinding to a specific application. The rebinding will be global if left blank.

How to remove a keybinding

Removing a keybinding is similar to adding one. Here's how:

• Instead of pressing + (plus) to add a mapping, press the trash can on the right-hand side of your existing keybinding to delete it.

Playing with PowerToys

As we’ve seen, it’s possible to rebind individual keys and keyboard shortcuts with PowerToys. There’s a lot of potential for advanced functionality here, especially rebinding shortcuts in specific applications. There is also no limit on how many keys or shortcuts you can rebind. So get creative and set up some cool macros to streamline your day-to-day workflow.

This just scratches the surface of what’s possible with PowerToys, and Microsoft is updating PowerToys constantly . Early versions of new Windows customization features are also often developed there before making it into the mainstream release of Windows.

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How to Remap a Keyboard in Windows 10

Use Microsoft PowerToys to reassign keys and change keyboard shortcuts

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What to Know

• Download Microsoft Power Toys, open it, and then go to Keyboard Manager > Remap a Key or Remap a Shortcut .
• To reset keys and shortcuts to the default, select the Trashcan icon beside the entry.
• If you have an external keyboard and mouse, use the Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center tool to customize both.

This article explains how to remap a keyboard in Windows 10. Instructions apply to external keyboards and the built-in keyboards of Windows-based laptops.

How to Change a Keyboard Layout in Windows 10

The easiest way to customize your keyboard is by using PowerToys, a free program made by Microsoft. It allows you to reassign keys and change your keyboard shortcuts using a simple interface. PowerToys also enables you to personalize the layout and appearance of the operating system.

Can You Reassign Keyboard Keys?

Follow these steps to reassign keys in Windows 10:

Download Microsoft Power Toys and install it on your PC.

Open Power Toys and select Keyboard Manager in the left sidebar.

Select Remap a Key .

If the keyboard options are grayed out, select the Enable Keyboard Manager switch.

Select the Plus ( + ) under Key .

Under Key , choose the key you want to reassign from the drop-down menu, or select Type and enter a key.

Under Mapped To , choose the new key. If you want to switch two keys, repeat steps 5 and 6 to create another entry, reversing the keys.

To reset the key to its default, return to this screen and select the Trashcan icon beside the entry.

Select OK .

Select Continue Anyway , if you see a notice telling you you'll no longer be able to use the keys for their original purpose.

How to Remap Windows 10 Shortcuts

You can change keyboard shortcuts for specific apps or your whole system:

Open Microsoft Power Toys and select Keyboard Manager in the left sidebar, then select Remap a Shortcut .

Select the Plus ( + ) under Shortcut .

Choose the key you want to reassign from the drop-down menu under Shortcut or select Type and enter a keyboard shortcut.

Under Mapped To , choose the new key or shortcut.

Under Target Apps , enter the name of an app (if you leave this section blank, the change is applied system-wide).

How to Reset Keyboard Mapping

To set your key reassignments back to the defaults, go to Keyboard Manager in PowerToys, select Remap a shortcut , and then select the Trashcan icon beside the entry you want to delete.

How Can I Customize My Keyboard?

PowerToys lets you reassign keys and shortcuts, but some keyboards come with customization software that gives you even more control over how your device works. For example, you could create multi-key macros and insert blocks of text with a single keystroke. You can customize both with the Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center tool if you have an external keyboard and mouse.

If you need to reassign a key because it isn't working, you can enable the Windows 10 on-screen keyboard to access all keys.

Remapping a keyboard on a Mac works differently than on a Windows PC. While you can't wholly remap the keyboard, you can set up custom shortcuts. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard and click the Shortcuts tab. Select a shortcut and highlight its existing key combination. Then, type in your new key combination, which will replace the previous shortcut.

If you want a hotkey to access a different shortcut or command, download the Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center and connect the keyboard you wish to configure. Open the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center and choose the key you'd like to reassign, then select a command from the command list to become the key's new function.

You don't need to remap a Windows PC keyboard for use on a Mac, but you'll need to be aware of the Windows keyboard equivalents for Mac's special keys . For example, the Windows key is equivalent to the Mac's Command key. Also, key locations are different on a Windows keyboard. If you want to reassign a Windows keyboard key's location for use with your Mac so it's easier to find, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard . Select Modifier Keys , then switch the keys' functions to your liking.

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