How to Remap Keys on Windows 10

Using a free open-source software program

There are a couple of reasons why you might want to remap keys on Windows 10—the layout might feel wrong or the keys might be broken. Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t allow you to remap keys directly. You can map them by altering the registry yourself, which we wouldn’t recommend, or by using third-party software.

One of the easiest keymapping software to use on Windows isSharpKeys. This free and open-source software allows you to map one or multiple keys to another key, although it only supports keyboard keys as mouse or touchpad keys aren’t supported. Here’s how to remap keys on Windows 10 using SharpKeys.

Installing SharpKeys on Windows 10

A Windows installer file for SharpKeys is available on the SharpKeys GitHub repository, as is a portable version you can download to use on flash storage drives to take your SharpKeys installation with you. SharpKeys is open source, so you can choose to download the source code and compile it yourself if that’s your preference.

The main SharpKeys window will open once the warning has been accepted.

Remap Keys on Windows 10 Using SharpKeys

Once SharpKeys is installed, you can use it to begin remapping your keyboard keys. Before you start, however, you should check whether your keyboard locale is correctly set for your location. This might resolve issues when theat sign keys and quote keyson your keyboard are swapped over, for instance.

You can check this by right-clicking the Windows Start menu and clickingSettings.From here, clickTime & Language > Languageand check the locale listed under thePreferred Languagessection.

If your locale is correct and you still need to remap other keys, you can start using the SharpKeys software.

Exporting Your SharpKeys Configuration to Other PCs

You may wish to export your SharpKey settings to other Windows 10 PCs if you want to use your remapped keys on multiple devices. You might want to do this before youreset and reinstall Windowson a PC using SharpKeys, too.

Using Your Keyboard With Windows 10

If you remap keys on Windows 10, you can bypass broken keys or a poor layout, but that isn’t the only way you can use your keyboard more effectively. One method is to tryusing keyboard shortcuts, reducing your reliance on your PC mouse or trackpad.

That depends, of course, on whether you have a fully working keyboard. Remapping keys is one option, but you may need to look at more drastic ways tofix a water damaged keyboardif you’ve spilled a drink over multiple keys. If you have your own keyboard repair tips to share, please leave them in the comments below.

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer based in the United Kingdom. In a past life, Ben was a college lecturer in the UK, training teens and adults. Since leaving the classroom, Ben has taken his teaching experience and applied it to writing tech how-to guides and tutorials, specialising in Linux, Windows, and Android. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing.Read Ben’s Full Bio

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Website

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

How to Remap Keys on Windows 10#

Installing SharpKeys on Windows 10#

Remap Keys on Windows 10 Using SharpKeys#

Exporting Your SharpKeys Configuration to Other PCs#

Using Your Keyboard With Windows 10#