How to Create a New Keyboard Map in Windows XP

Remapping the keyboard in Windows XP is necessary when using a foreign language set, as the default characters on the keyboard do not contain the accented and other altered characters often used in foreign languages. Altering the keyboard options in XP allows you to remap the keyboard in accordance with predefined foreign language sets, or to create a new keyboard map.

Instructions

Language Remapping

1. Click "Start" and "Control Panel."

2. Select "Regional and Language Options."

3. Click "Languages," "Details," "Settings," and "Add." Select the language whose keyboard layout you wish to use and check the "Keyboard Layout/IME" box.

4. Press "Apply" to save changes.

Full Remapping

1. Download the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator.

2. Double-click the downloaded file and click "Run." Click "Setup" and follow the onscreen instructions to install the program.

3. Open the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator.

4. Click on any of the blank keys in the onscreen virtual keyboard, and assign the desired letter/number/symbol to the key.

5. Select "Project," then "Build DLL and Setup Package" to install the new keyboard layout to your computer. Select the new layout by using the procedure outlined in section one.

References

• Starr: Keyboard Mapping
• Microsoft: Keyboard Layout Creator