Redefining Windows keyboard keys. An easy and simple program to remap keys on your keyboard

Redefining Windows keyboard keys. An easy and simple program to remap keys on your keyboard

Organizing a comfortable workspace is an important task for those who work a lot of time at the computer. And what kind of convenience would it be without carefully configured settings? own needs keyboards? 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, a key with the icon itself operating system- 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:

  • Make sure the keyboard you are about to configure is connected to the system. This can be done through the "Device Manager" in the "Control Panel". Make sure the keyboard is connected
  • 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
  • Select from the list of keys the one for which you want to reassign the action, and double-click on it.
  • Select the command required for the key in the list that appears.
  • Unlike 7 and 8 Windows versions, “ten” does not allow the user to customize the keys “for themselves,” 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:

  • setting up a key combination to change the language;
  • creating a combination for quick launch one application or another.
  • Changing the keyboard layout

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

  • In the Start search bar, enter “language.” Open the first search result.

    Select first search result

  • Select "Advanced Options".
    Select "Advanced Options"
  • Find "Change keyboard shortcuts" language bar».

    Find "Change language bar keyboard shortcuts"

  • Click on the “Change keyboard shortcut” button in the “Switch keyboard” tab.

    Set up the combinations you want

  • Select the combination that suits you and click OK.
  • 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:

  • Place the program shortcut on your desktop.
  • Right-click on it and select “Properties”. Go to the "Shortcut" tab.

    Go to the "Shortcut" tab

  • Place the cursor in the line opposite the “Shortcut” item and press the keyboard shortcut that you would like to use. The names of these keys should appear in the line separated by a “+” sign. If everything is correct, click “OK” or “Apply”.
  • 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.

  • Download the archive and unpack it.
  • Run MapKeyboard.exe as an administrator.

    Run the application as administrator

  • 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
  • Click on the “Save layout” button and restart your computer.
  • 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.

  • Run the program as administrator.
  • Add keys that require reconfiguration using the “Add” button.

    Add keys by clicking the "Add" button

  • 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
  • To deactivate a key, select it in the list on the left, and select “Turn Key Off” in the right column. Click OK. All actions performed in this window will be displayed in the main work area applications.

    Changes made are saved in the application workspace

  • Click on “Write to Registry” after making all the desired changes and restart your computer.
  • 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.

  • Open Manager Windows devices» via the search bar in the Start menu.
  • In the list of devices, find the “Keyboards” item and expand it.

    Find "Keyboards"

  • Call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click on “Update drivers”.
  • Select "Automatically search for updated drivers."
    Select the first item in the list
  • Follow the system instructions.
  • 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 malfunctions in the keyboard appeared after a child sat at the computer or ran through it a pet, most likely, some key sticking was enabled. 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:

  • Press the Shift key 5 times in a row to bring up the sticky settings.

    Follow the instructions in the utility window

  • Click on the "Options" button to enable the settings window.
  • 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”
  • Click OK and restart your computer. This will disable sticking throughout the entire system.
  • 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 Windows system There are two types of native language layout 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:

  • Find “Customize language and keyboard settings” through the Start menu search.

    Find "Customize language and keyboard settings"

  • You can customize the keyboard to suit your own needs using system settings or third-party utilities. But 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.

    Of the applications that make it easy to set a new value for the keys on a laptop or detachable keyboard, special attention deserves MKey. The interface is in Russian, the utility is freely available on the official website, a new version 1.3.5 was released on November 23, 2015 and runs on all Windows platforms (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, they will need to be disabled. 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 click 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.

    Basically, difficulties with hotkeys arise when you have to frequently use the buttons while working. For example, when changing the language from English to Russian. Setting the required key combination will save the unlucky user from unpleasant moments and searching for options. Let's talk right now about how to change the keys.

    In the Customize dialog box, you can easily rearrange or change toolbar keys, menu commands, or the menu itself. Experts have developed instructions for changing settings using the mouse or keyboard. We will tell you about all the options. First, we'll tell you how to change the key assignments for opening a dialog box using the mouse.

    Simple ways

    There are three such methods.

    Option 1

    • In the Tools menu, select the “Settings” command.
    • The toolbar you want to change must be visible.
    • In the “Settings” window, go to “Toolbars”.
    • Mark the toolbar that you want to display.
    • In the “Settings” window, select the “Commands” tab.

    Option 2

    • Click the toolbar button.
    • In the Settings window, on the Commands tab, click Edit Selected Object.
    • Press ENTER.
    • In the “Settings” window, click “Close”.

    Option 3

    Change the keyboard shortcuts for the menu command:

    • Select a menu command.
    • In the “Settings” window, click “Edit selected object”.
    • In the “Context Menu Name” column, enter the name of the desired toolbar button by pressing the ampersand (&) in front of the letter to which you are going to assign the value of the shortcut key.
    • Press ENTER and then “Close” in the “Settings” window

    How to change keyboard keys using the keyboard

    There are only two options to do this.

    Option 1

    • Press ALT + E (Russian), enter “n”. This will open the Settings window.
    • The toolbar you are going to change must be visible.
    • In the “Settings” window, press ALT + AND. This will open the “Toolbars” tab.
    • Use the arrow buttons to select the toolbar. Now press SPACEBAR to select the toolbar.
    • In the “Settings” window, press ALT + K (Russian) to open the “Commands” tab.

    Option 2

    • Press the ALT + R keys to open the “Rearrange Commands” window
    • Using the arrow keys to select, find the “Toolbar”.
    • Press the TAB key and navigate to the Toolbar list, then use the arrow buttons to select the key you want to change. Press ENTER.
    • Press TAB to move to the Controls list and use the arrow keys to select the button you want to change.
    • Press ALT + Y to select “Edit selected object”.
    • Press TAB and move to the “Context Menu Name” field. Enter the name of the desired toolbar button by pressing the ampersand (&) in front of the letter to which you are going to assign the value of the shortcut key.
    • Press ENTER.
    • Use TAB to move to the “Close” button and press ENTER.

    Changing the keys through "Start"

    To change some key combinations, you can also use the standard Start menu. We'll tell you how to change hotkeys, for example, to quickly switch from one language to another.

    • Select Settings from the Start menu
    • Then - “Control Panel”
    • Next - “Language and Regional Standards”
    • After let's walk the path“Languages” - “More details” - “Keyboard options” - and “Change keyboard shortcuts”.
    • In the window that appears, select the key combination that seems most convenient: Alt+Shift or Ctrl+Shift.
    • Click “OK” in all open windows.

    Now you know how to change the keyboard shortcut on PC by all convenient ways. Have a nice work!

    Continuing the topic of working with Windows 10 hotkeys (the first part of the topic, dedicated to the list of keyboard shortcuts, is located), it is worth mentioning how you can change them in your own way. We will assume that you are already familiar with the main ones and have an idea of ​​what they are. For example, after familiarizing yourself with the system keys for quick access to functions, you found that some of them are not very convenient for you to use. You would like to configure some functions in a way that is convenient for you.

    Unfortunately, this is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. By default, the system has combinations of buttons on the keyboard that allow you to quickly perform some actions without the need to navigate through a multi-level context menu. The developer simply did not provide an easy way to reassign hotkeys for Windows 10 and older versions. In this article we will tell you possible options change keys for quick access to some operating system operations.

    How to find a list of hotkeys

    In fact, there are enough hotkeys in Windows 10 to scare off inexperienced users. In the previous article on this topic, we published the main list of abbreviations that work in system applications. But the trouble is that in some third-party applications, for example, Microsoft Office, browsers or other products, there may be their own shortcut keys that do not match the system ones. What to do in this case?

    There are several ways to get help for each software product:

    1. Press the F1 key and read background information, built into the application. But for this, the program developer needs to take care of this. In this case, you do not need an Internet connection to use the help section. Practice shows that this option is not always available. Then you can go to the “Help” section in the program menu.
    2. Regardless of what application you are running, you can press the Win + F1 key combination, after which the browser set as the main one will launch, with a link to the help section of the Microsoft website. Some programs can lead to a web resource of their own content. Accordingly, in this case you will need to connect to World Wide Web, because all information is not built into the program code, but is stored on a remote server.
    3. Can be called the most in a simple way; When using the context menu with the right mouse button, please note that almost every action contains information about which hot keys are responsible for it. Typically, users in each program use the same functions and can be memorized over time keyboard shortcuts to speed up the work process.

    How to change Windows hotkeys

    Unfortunately, as mentioned a little above, Windows developers did not provide the ability to change any system hotkeys using the built-in functionality of the operating system. The only combination that can be changed is switching languages ​​and keyboard layouts. This operation is possible in any version of Windows, both the newest 10 and the older 7 or 8.

    After installing the operating system, languages ​​can be switched using the Alt + Shift combination, and already in Windows 8 and 10 the Win + Space combination was added. But habit is a serious matter and many users find it much more convenient to switch languages, for example, using the combination Ctrl + Shift or Ctrl + Alt. What are your hotkey settings for switching languages?

    • Open Control Panel - Languages ​​- Advanced Settings - Change language bar keyboard shortcuts.
    • In the small window that opens, select “Change keyboard shortcut” and select one option from the many offered.
    • Save your changes and start using your usual button combination.

    Nothing complicated, right?

    How to assign application launcher hotkeys

    If it is impossible to change hotkeys for performing system actions, then assigning them to launch almost any application is very simple. To do this, after installing the program, you need to right-click on the shortcut on the desktop, select “Properties” - “Shortcut” - “Shortcut” and click on the button or combination thereof, which you will use to launch the program. Please note that if hotkeys are already in use by the system, they will be reset. Be careful!

    Hotkey Managers

    The simplest and in an accessible way Changing hotkeys on Windows 10 means using special utilities for this. We will look at the two most popular of them.

    Key Remapper

    An excellent program with rich functionality that allows you to reassign almost any button on the keyboard, mouse, even using the scroll wheel. Utility features:

    • Overriding almost any keyboard and mouse key, as well as intercepting the mouse wheel.
    • Redefining existing keys to those that are physically missing.
    • Change the location of the buttons.
    • Emulation of keyboard shortcuts and mouse clicks.
    • Limiting the program's action to a specific application.
    • Ability to assign multiple key profiles.

    The program does not clog your computer's registry and does not require a reboot for your new assignments to take effect. You can download the program from the link http://atnsoft.ru/keyremapper/.

    MKey

    The original purpose of this utility is to use additional keys on multimedia keyboards. These are those keyboards on which, in addition to alphabetic and numeric buttons, there are many additional ones for launching certain applications and functions. First of all, you can use them, but if you have a regular keyboard, without all these buttons, the program can also be used to reassign regular keys.

    Possibilities:

    1. Media Control
    • Supports almost all the most popular audio and video players: start, play, stop.
    • Adjust the volume, rewind a music or video file.
    • Drive control for laser discs: Open, close, start disc playback.
    • Ability to run any application installed on your computer.
    • Launch any Explorer folders.
    • All functions with files and folders: insert, copy, move.
    • Control open windows: collapse, expand, close, move, lock.
    • Power management: turn off, sleep, reboot, lock; setting the timer.
    • Change the desktop background.
    • Change the language and keyboard layout.
    • Network connection management.
    1. Working with applications
    • Manage any installed browser.
    • Document management: open, save, create new, print, undo and redo.
    • Control by email: reply, forward, send.
    • Emulates almost any key in program windows.

    1. Additional functions
    • The finest settings, excellent customization options.
    • Notifications in the system tray.
    • Insert text, date and time according to a specified template.
    • Ability to create a screenshot.
    • 10 clipboards, advanced ability to manage their contents.
    • Several parameter profiles, customization of each of them.
    • Creating your own combination in each individual application.
    • Emulates absolutely any keyboard or mouse button.
    • Recording macros.
    • Additional external plugins.
    • Minimal resource usage.
    • You do not need to restart your device for the changes to take effect.

    Conclusion

    Initially, the hotkeys are designed conveniently and can be used without changing them at all. But if you still want to change them, use one of the tips in our article.

    In the comments, please tell us if you have changed the keyboard shortcuts on your Windows 10. If so, how.

    If a user often has to type quickly and a lot on a computer, then over time he realizes that not all the buttons on the keyboard are conveniently located. It happens that some keys break or stop pressing, and there is no way to fix them. To solve the two problems described, there is one solution: change the values ​​for the keys. The article will also look at ways to change standard key combinations and assign new hot buttons for quick access.

    How to change values ​​for keys and their combinations

    Windows 7, 8, 10 provide small keyboard settings, but with their help, a limited number of key combinations are changed, and only those new buttons are assigned that the system itself offers. The user can reassign an action for a specific button or disable it using third-party programs, the most convenient of which will be discussed in the article.

    SharpKeys

    The program is distributed free of charge on the developer's official website. Thanks to it, you can change the meanings of the buttons. For example, pressing the number 4 will enter the number 6 if you first change the value for the button with the number 4.

    Assigning actions to a button

    How to disable a button

    If the user often accidentally hits a button, he can disable it. For this:


    How to undo changes made

    After changing the value or disabling a button, the user can cancel this action. For this:


    Video: working with SharpKeys

    MapKeyboard

    The program contains the same functions as the application described above, but has a different design. Please note that you must run the program as an administrator.

    Disabling a key and changing a task


    How to undo reassigned buttons

    If you changed the value for a button and then wanted to cancel this change, then run the program and click on the Reset keyboard layout button. Then restart your computer so that the changes are reverted to the computer's registry. Everything will be reset to default values.

    Video: working with MapKeyboard

    Changing shortcuts

    This operation is more difficult to carry out, since it is impossible to change existing key combinations to invoke certain actions in Windows. The only exception is changing the language layout; the combination for this action can be changed, but only to the one that the system offers. In this case, you can create new key combinations to launch certain programs, if the buttons that the user wants to use for this are not occupied by system combinations. Full list keyboard shortcuts that exist in Windows by default are published on the official Microsoft website.

    Change keyboard shortcuts to select input language

    1. Using a search engine Windows string, launch your computer's control panel. Open Control Panel to start changing keyboard shortcuts
    2. Go to the "Language" section.
      Through the control panel go to the “Language” section
    3. Open advanced language options.
      In the “Language” section, open the “Advanced options” subsection
    4. In the “Switching input methods” block, click on the “Change language bar keyboard shortcuts” button.
      In additional options, select the button “Change language bar keyboard shortcuts”
    5. In the window that opens, expand the “Keyboard Switching” tab.
      In the window that opens, go to the “Keyboard switching” tab
    6. Click on the “Change keyboard shortcut” button. Select the action “Switch input language” and click the “Change keyboard shortcut” button
    7. Select one of the options offered by the system for changing the input language and save the changes made by clicking OK.
      Select a key combination from the options offered by the system and press the OK button

    Assigning hotkeys for opening programs


    What to do if the keys change their meaning on their own

    If the system independently changed the values ​​for some keys, then the reason for what happened may be as follows:

    • changes were accidentally made to the system or registry by the user. Perhaps some notification appeared asking you to change the settings, and you accidentally gave permission for this action;
    • a virus appeared on the computer, which changed the meanings of the buttons in pursuit of its own goals. Check your computer for viruses and remove them if any are found;
    • there was a failure in the system that led to a failure of the keyboard settings or the keyboard itself failed. You can check this by connecting it to another computer.

    You can get rid of this problem, if it is not caused by physical damage to the keyboard, using the third-party programs described above. Launch them and, using the instructions, reset the keyboard settings to default values ​​or set the parameters for each button manually.

    You can change the values ​​for the buttons on the keyboard using third-party programs. Using them, you can disable unnecessary keys so that they do not interfere with speed dial text. Changing key combinations is done through the system settings, and setting new combinations is done through the shortcut properties.