How to Use a Microsoft Keyboard on an Apple PC
A Microsoft keyboard is more readily available and less expensive than its Apple counterpart. That is why it is more practical to use a Microsoft keyboard on your Apple personal computer in case the original keyboard your Apple PC came with gets broken. You may not even have to buy one. Instead, just use an old keyboard that you already have.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- A Mac or Apple personal computer
- A Microsoft PC keyboard
- Computer with Internet connection
- PS/2 to USB adaptor
-
-
1
Install your Microsoft keyboard in a free USB port on your Apple PC. You might need a PS/2 to USB adaptor since Apple PC's do not use PS/2 ports and most Microsoft keyboards, especially the older models, use PS/2 ports.
-
2
Apple System Preferences
In your Apple computer desktop, click on the "Apple" menu (the one with the Apple logo) and choose "System Preferences". This lets you change the look and feel of your Apple PC as well as how you prefer it to work.
-
3
Keyboard & Mouse Menu
Select "Keyboard and Mouse". In the latest Mac OSX this can be found under the group header "Hardware".
-
4
Keyboard Modifier Keys Menu
Go to the "Keyboard" tab and click on "Modifier Keys". A pop-up window will appear as shown below.
-
5
Change the "Option Key" to "Command" and the "Command Key" to "Option". After changing these settings your Microsoft keyboard will now function as an Apple keyboard.
-
6
Install Applescript. For those using an external Microsoft keyboard for their Apple laptops, you may find it frustrating when you have to switch back to using your laptop's keyboard. So instead of redoing the whole process of key mapping, install Applescript. This enables your Mac to change the keyboard modifier keys automatically.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The dialog box may be a bit different for other Apple OSX like Leopard or older versions, but basically, you just need to find the same tabs and options. Install Microsoft IntelliType Pro 6.22 for Mac to customize the features of your keyboard and your mouse. You can get this from the Microsoft website. You can also use an Apple keyboard on a Microsoft Personal Computer. Microsoft also released a new keyboard and a new mouse, both compatible with an Apple computer. Using a Microsoft keyboard on an Apple computer is possible and easy to do. There are slight differences in the way Microsoft and Apple keyboards work, which may be annoying and frustrating to encounter. For example, on a Microsoft keyboard, the Windows key (which shows the Windows menu when pressed), corresponds to the Alt key in an Apple PC. The Alt key then becomes Apple's option key, which shows the Apple menu when pressed. With the following simple steps, you will be able to use
Be careful when installing software that did not come with your computer. You may inadvertently download one that has a virus. Only get software programs from reputable sources.
