How to Make Your Own Keyboard Layout
A keyboard layout refers to a specific arrangement of key and symbol/character associations. The keyboard layout tells the computer which character or symbol to input based on the key on the keyboard that is pressed. If you need to create a keyboard layout for a language that is not supported by your operating system, or you want to map a key to a special character you use frequently, you can create a keyboard layout using the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Download Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator. Save the file to your hard drive.
-
2
Double-click on the downloaded file, then click the "Setup" button. Click the "Next" button, then read the license agreement. Choose "I agree," then click "Next."
-
-
3
Click "Next," then "Next" again to install the software. Click the "Close" button after the installation is complete.
-
4
Click the "Start" button, then choose "All Programs." Click the "Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator" shortcut.
-
5
Click on a blank (white) key in the new keyboard layout to assign a character or symbol. Type in a character or click the "All" key to access various key state options. Key state options are the character that will be inputed when the "Shift" or "Ctrl" keys are held and the key is pressed.
-
6
Click the "Project" menu, then choose "Test Keyboard Layout..." to test the keyboard layout in a large text field. Click "OK" when you are finished testing the layout.
-
7
Click the "File" menu and choose "Save Source File" to save the keyboard layout. Type in a keyboard layout name and click "Save."
-
8
Click the "Project" menu and choose "Build DLL and Setup Package" to create a file that will load the keyboard layout. Click the "Yes" button to open the directory where you created the keyboard layout program.
-
9
Double-click the "setup.exe" file to install the keyboard layout on your computer. To load the keyboard layout, click the "Start" menu and choose "Control Panel." Double-click the "Regional and Language Options" icon, then click the "Languages" tab. Click the "Details" button, then select the keyboard layout name from the "Default input language" drop-down menu.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
