How to Re-map a Keyboard

Along with the mouse, the keyboard is the most commonly used PC peripheral we use, because almost every PC application requires the use of our mouse and keyboard. There are a variety of keyboards on the market, designed to suit different needs and purposes. Remapping your keyboard is one way to customize your keyboard layout.

There are those who just can't stand the Caps lock key because it is so easy to inadvertently type in Caps. Others simply need to use more keys on the keyboard. Whatever your reasons, one way to re-map your keyboard is manually via a registry hack. An easier, less risky way is to use SharpKeys, a free windows application.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Download SharpKeys and complete the wizard.

   Download SharpKeys and complete the set-up wizard. Click your start button and navigate over to open the SharpKeys program.

2. 
   An additional key will be added to your registry before you can use SharpKeys.

   Click OK when you receive a pop-up box indicating that an additional key will be added to your registry, and the disclaimer that you are using the program at your own risk. Declining to add the key means you can't use the program.

3. 
   Select the keyboard keys and the changes to make.

   Click the "Add" button. This brings up the "Add New Key Mapping" dialog box. This is where you will select the keyboard keys and the changes to make.

4. 
   SharpKeys: Select the key you would like re-mapped

   Click the "Type Key" button. This opens a pop-up box instructing you to press a key on your keyboard. Once you press the key, it will register in the pop-up window. In our example, the letter M was pressed.

Tips & Warnings

• In Step 3, you may alternatively select a key from the left-hand column, and the change you want to make from the right hand column
• Customizing your keyboard is an effective way to defeat keylogger software. It allows for up to 104 different keyboard combinations, and also lets you disable certain keys such as Caps Lock.
• If you prefer the DVORAK layout or AZERTY layout to the traditional 104-key QWERTY layout, you can use SharpKeys to totally re-create your own layout based on these systems.