Reassign a keyboard button. An easy and simple program to remap keys on your keyboard

One of my readers contacted me with a question-problem: “In a laptop running Windows XP, a frequently used key stopped working over time. Enter. How can you transfer its function to another rarely used key?”

How to reassign a key on the keyboard?

Let's start with the basics: pressing any key generates its own unique code for each key and transmits it to the computer. The computer recognizes this code and launches the function corresponding to this key.

It’s just that you won’t be able to take the code of another key and slip it into your PC. However, there are special programs that allow you to do this work. Such programs are called remappers.

The variety of such programs is very large, and they differ in the functionality they provide. A simple, free utility that does not require installation is suitable for our task. .

KeyRemapper - quick keyboard repair

1. Download the program from the given link. Unpack the archive and simply run the program's Exe file, no installation required. Launch the program.

2. The main program window will open. The keys will appear on the left side under their true names, and on the right side - under their new names. Now we need to decide on the key on which we will “hang” the function of the non-working button Enter. Let this be the key Pause, it is quite rarely used.

3. Open the left list of buttons available for replacement. Keys Pause there isn't. Let's add it to this list. Click on the “New Key” button -> when you see the invitation, click on the button Pause-> Now you can go back to the list on the left side and select the newly added key Pause.

4. Now in the list on the right side, find our non-working key Enter.

5. To complete the substitution of buttons, click on the “Add” button. The reassignment list will display the result of replacing the buttons.

6. Now you need to disable the non-working button Enter. To do this, select in the left list Enter-> in the right list select Nothing-> click on the add button. This is what should appear in the reassignment list:

7. To complete the reassignment operation, click on the “Apply” button -> close the program and restart the computer.

8. To cancel any reassignment, run the program -> highlight the desired line -> click on the “ button Delete" To completely return the keyboard to its original state, click on the “ Clear" For the changes to take effect, restart your computer.

I really value my readers and try not only to provide useful material, but also to entertain them with something. My next gift for you is called “What’s behind the cheek?” (don't forget to comment if you liked it, or share with your friends using the social network buttons).

Question from a user

Hello.

My laptop is about 4-5 years old now. And the "I/z" key stopped working (more precisely, if you press it hard, only then will it work). I wanted to replace the keyboard, but there is no exactly the same one (to install a similar one means ruining the laptop).

Can you tell me how to reassign a key instead of “I”, say, to the left “Ctrl” (I hardly use it anyway, I’m used to the right one). I tried the utilities KeyExtender, SharpKeys (and some other one, I don’t remember the name), but they For some reason it didn’t work for me (maybe the system protection doesn’t allow it).

PS I'm currently using Windows 8...

Good day!

I will also add that a similar problem is faced not only by those who do not have a certain key working, but also by those who want to improve the character’s controllability in the game, set a sequence of presses on one key at once, those who want to disable unnecessary buttons altogether (for example, these may be on a multimedia keyboard).

In the article I will look at several utilities and show you on screenshots how to perform this task. Let's get down to business?..

“Change” one button for another

MapKeyboard

Developer: http://www.inchwest.com

One of the most reliable utilities in terms of operation. At least for me it worked both in the “old” Windows 2000/XP and in the relatively new Windows 8/10 OS.

The utility is very compact and does not require installation. After starting, to replace the key, you need to perform only 3 steps (they are marked in the screenshot above):

1. select a key to replace the non-working one (for example, left Ctrl);
2. then indicate in the “Remap selected key to” column the key that does not work (i.e. left Ctrl will be used instead);
3. Click the save button "Save layout" (the system will reboot). After a reboot, instead of Ctrl, the "Z" button will work.

If you want to reset all changes made: use the "Reset keyboard layout" button.

KeyTweak

Developer's website: http://webpages.charter.net/krumsick/

KeyTweak main window: action #1

A simple but reliable program that allows you to change the assignment of keys on the keyboard. Allows you to change the scan code of keys among themselves, or even disable individual keys.

I note that the program is extremely easy to use (despite the fact that it does not have a Russian translation). First, select the key that does not work well for you, then in the “Choose New Remmaping” column, indicate the key to replace it, and press the “Remap Key” button (see screenshot above).

Then accept the changes (the "Apply" button in the lower right corner of the screen) and agree to restart the computer.

Actually, after rebooting, your keys will begin to perform “new” assigned actions. Convenient, simple, and effective tool!

Key Remapper

The main window of the program (after installing and launching the program).

I simply could not help but mention this program in this article. It not only allows you to reassign individual keyboard keys, but also allows you to set entire combinations of presses: how would you like, for example, if you put Alt+Shift+Esc on the mouse wheel (quickly switch programs)?! You can also use the buttons on the keyboard to emulate the operation of a mouse.

And one more important detail: you can set up a replacement only in certain applications (which will undoubtedly appeal to game lovers: after all, you can get some advantage and speed up your reaction if pressing one button will execute a whole combination!).

The program supports several profiles (for example, you can create a set of substitutions for each game separately).

Important: the program does not make any changes to the system registry and does not require a PC restart for the changes to take effect.

As for use: everything is simple here:

• first indicate the key you want to change;
• and then, in the second column, the key that will replace it. See screenshot below.

Please note that the full version of the program is paid. However, you can safely start your acquaintance with a free product. I recommend!

Additions are welcome...

All the best!

Of the applications that make it easy to set a new value for the keys on a laptop or detachable keyboard, MKey deserves special attention. The interface is in Russian, the utility is freely available on the official website, the new version 1.3.5 was released on November 23, 2015 and works on all Windows platforms (from XP to 10). The developers present their product for free as a replacement for standard programs for multimedia and conventional, plug-in and built-in keyboards. The utility is also used for mice, joysticks and other input equipment.

Free or rarely used keys can be assigned the functions of other buttons or combinations with the Ctrl, Shift or Alt operators, and can also be assigned to perform actions to launch programs, open files, and control media players. Changes are saved in the application, not in the system registry, as with other utilities, and no restart is required.

Installing MKey (MediaKey) for Windows 7/8/10

Go to the developer portal, click “Download from the official website” and save the installer. Open MKey by double clicking, run the file and follow the installation wizard. If your keyboard uses special programs, you will need to disable them. The MKey utility works correctly with standard Microsoft drivers. In the “Advanced Options” window, check the “Save settings in the program folder” line. When you start it for the first time, a help window automatically appears and you can close it.

How to reassign Ctrl + C to the Page Up key

Click “Add” and press the button to which you want to set a different value. In the pop-up window, check its name and confirm the action. In the middle column of the MKey app window, click Keyboard and select Keys. Place a checkmark in the “Emulate click” line and open the drop-down list by clicking on the “Backspace” button. Select the letter “C”, check the box next to the desired operator, click the floppy disk icon in the lower right corner to save the changes. Similarly, assign the hotkey combination Ctrl + V to the Page Down button.

Organizing a comfortable workspace is an important task for those who work a lot of time at the computer. And what is convenience without a keyboard carefully customized to your own needs? You don’t want to perform a lot of unnecessary manipulations in the system, when the application can be launched with one press of the desired key? Then you should take a little time to configure the keyboard.

Setting up the keyboard on Windows

Windows does not allow you to reassign actions for all keys. For example, the key with the icon of the operating system itself - Windows - is inviolable. It cannot be reassigned, it can only be disabled. In other cases, to reassign a key action, you must perform the following steps:

Launch “Mouse and Keyboard Center” (if it is not there, download and install it from the official Microsoft website).
Install Mouse and Keyboard Center and launch it

Unlike versions 7 and 8 of Windows, Windows 10 does not allow the user to customize the keys, but they can be reassigned using third-party utilities.

Reassigning keys using standard tools

The user can reassign not only individual keys, but also their combinations. However, in Windows there are entire lists of standard combinations that cannot be changed in any way.

A user with keyboard shortcuts essentially has only two actions available to them:

Changing the keyboard layout

To set up a keyboard shortcut to change the language, follow these steps:

Select "Advanced Options".
Select "Advanced Options"

Video: How to change the language keyboard shortcut on Windows 10

Assigning a combination to launch an application

You can create a keyboard shortcut to quickly launch an application as follows:

This action can “override” the standard combination of the system. That is, if the key combination you chose matches one of the system keys, then using that combination will now launch the application you configured. Be careful.

Video: How to assign a key combination to launch an application on Windows 7

Reassigning keys using third-party utilities

For more in-depth configuration of keys, you need to work through the system registry - create new sections and assign commands to them. All this is long, difficult and sometimes too risky. Fortunately, enthusiasts have created several applications that perform all the necessary actions for the user.

MapKeyboard

The program does not require installation.

Select the key on the virtual keyboard that you will remap, click on it with the mouse and in the “Remap selected key to” item, specify the key that will replace the selected one.
Remap the keys using the “Remap selected key to” item

Video: How to disable and reassign keys in MapKeyboard

SharpKeys

This utility not only makes it possible to reassign keys, but also completely disable them (for example, the top row of function keys often simply gets in the way of the user). Just like the previous utility, this program does not require installation.

Select the key you want to reconfigure from the left column, and the one that will replace it from the right column. Don't be alarmed - the list displays more items than there are keys on your keyboard.
On the left, select the key that you will reconfigure, and on the right, the one that will replace it

Video: how to disable and reassign keys in SharpKeys

How to program key combinations

The official Windows utility, “Mouse and Keyboard Center,” will help you program key combinations. You can download it from the Microsoft website. It is easy to use and has an intuitive interface.

After downloading and installing the program, find your keyboard in it, select “Keyboard shortcut” in the list and, by entering the combination in the field, assign functionality to it.

Using the Mouse and Keyboard Center app, you can program key combinations

What to do if the keys are reassigned arbitrarily

The keys cannot be reassigned on their own, since the computer itself cannot do anything. There are several reasons for the keyboard to malfunction. First of all, check your computer for viruses and only then try the methods described below.

Outdated keyboard drivers

A situation may arise when the system on the computer is updated, but the keyboard drivers are not. In this case, we expect a conflict between the system and the equipment.

Select "Automatically search for updated drivers."
Select the first item in the list

Don't forget that each device has its own operating life. If the keyboard lasts longer than 5 years, then you need to change the equipment.

Sticky keys

If the keyboard malfunctions appeared after a child sat at the computer or a pet ran across it, most likely, some key sticking was turned on. For example, holding down the Windows key in combination with the top row of letters controls the windows of the system, and when simply typing text, you can get absolutely undesirable results. To fix this:

Open the “Keyboard” tab and click on the “Settings” button in the “Sticky Keys” item. Click on the “Settings” button in the “Sticky Keys” item

Uncheck the “Use this method of inclusion” checkbox. Uncheck the box “Use this method of inclusion”

Starting with Windows 7, the entire setup is even faster. Press Shift five times, follow the link “Go to the center...” and turn off everything that interferes there.

Video: How to disable Sticky Keys in Windows 7

Language layout failure

For Russian-speaking users in the Windows system, two types of native language layouts are available: standard and so-called “typewritten” (analogous to typewriter keys).

If some letters, numbers or symbols were out of place, the layout changed randomly. To fix this, follow these steps:

You can customize the keyboard to suit your own needs using system settings or third-party utilities. But when working with system files, it is important to act carefully and carefully. If something during or after setup did not go as you expected, you always have the opportunity to perform a system rollback or seek help from a specialist.