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How to reassign one key to another (for those who do not have a button press on the keyboard)

User question

Hello.

I have a laptop for about 4-5 years. And the "i / z" key stopped working (more precisely, if you press it hard - only then will it work). I wanted to replace the keyboard, but exactly the same is not present (fitting a similar one would ruin the laptop).

Do not tell me how to reassign the key instead of "I", say, to the left "Ctrl" (I almost never use it anyway, I'm used to the right one). I tried the KeyExtender, SharpKeys utilities (and some other, I don't remember the name anymore), but they for some reason they didn’t work for me (maybe the system protection doesn’t work).

PS I'm using Windows 8 now ...

Good day!

I will also add that such a task is faced not only by those who do not have a certain key, but also those who want to improve the controllability of the character in the game, set a sequence of presses on one key at once, those who want to disable unnecessary buttons altogether (for example, such can be on the multimedia keyboard).

In the article I will consider several utilities, and show on screenshots how to accomplish this task.

Let's get down to business? ..

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"Change" one button to another

👉 MapKeyboard

Developer: //www.inchwest.com

Where to download: //download.cnet.com/

MapKeyboard: just three steps to replace a key (clickable!)

One of the most reliable utilities in terms of work. At least it worked for me both in "old" Windows 2000 / XP, and in relatively new OS Windows 8/10.

The utility is very compact and does not need installation. After starting, to replace the key, you need to perform only 3 actions (they are marked in the screenshot above):

  1. select a key that does not work instead (for example, left Ctrl);
  2. then indicate in the "Remap selected key to" column the key that does not work (ie the left Ctrl will be used instead);
  3. click the "Save layout" button (the system will be rebooted). After rebooting - instead of Ctrl, the "Z" button will be triggered.

If you want to reset all entered changes: use the button "Reset keyboard layout" .

By the way, it is recommended to run the utility as administrator. To do this, after extracting it from the archive, right-click on the executable file and select "Run as administrator ...". (see example below).

Run as administrator

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👉 PowerToys

Link to GitHub: //github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/

This utility has the best compatibility with Windows 10 (works in all versions!). Plus, it's quick and easy to disable and remap keys in it!

Let's take a quick example.

1) After installing and running the utility - you will need to open the section "Keyboard Manager" and click on the button "Remap a key" . 👇

PowerToys Utility - Customize Keys

Further indicate:

  • the key that we will change (or disable) - it is on the left (in my example "Numpad 0");
  • and on the right, indicate what we are changing it to - for example, "Undefined" (if we disable it completely) or specify a specific key (combination).

Undefined - The key will be disabled (PowerToys Utility).

It's that simple! 👌

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👉 KeyTweak

Developer site: //webpages.charter.net/krumsick/

Where to download: //keytweak.en.softonic.com/

KeyTweak main window: action # 1

A simple yet reliable program that allows you to change the assignment of keys on the keyboard. Allows you to change the scan-code of the keys between each other, or even disable individual keys altogether.

Note that using the program is extremely simple (despite the fact that it does not have a translation into Russian). First, select the key that does not work well for you, then in the "Choose New Remmaping" column specify the key instead, and press the "Remap Key" button (see the screen above).

Then accept the changes (the "Apply" button in the lower right corner of the screen) and agree to restart the computer.

Apply changes

Actually, after rebooting, your keys will perform the "new" assigned actions. Convenient, simple and efficient tool!

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👉 Key Remapper

Official website: //atnsoft.ru/keyremapper/

The main window of the program (after installing and launching the program).

This program simply could not fail to mention in this article. It not only allows you to reassign individual keyboard keys, but also allows you to set whole key combinations: how do you, for example, if you hang Alt + Shift + Esc on the mouse wheel (fast program switching) ?!

Also, using the buttons on the keyboard, you can emulate the operation of the mouse.

And one more important detail: you can set up the replacement only in certain applications (which will undoubtedly please game lovers: after all, you can get some advantage and speed up your reaction if a whole combination is executed by pressing one button!). 👌

The program supports several profiles (for example, you can create a set of substitutions for each game separately).

Important: the program does not make any changes in the system registry, does not require a PC restart for the changes to take effect.

As for the use: everything is simple here:

  • first indicate the key that you want to change;
  • and then, in the second column, the key that will replace it. See screenshot below.

Please note that you can set whole combinations

Note that the full version of the program is paid. However, you can easily start acquaintance with a free product. Recommend!

👉 To help!

If the above programs did not help you in any way, try simply disabling the unnecessary key. For example, games often interfere with Win or Shift - turning them off will not take you more than 30 seconds!

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Add-ons are welcome ...

All the best!

👋

First published: 16.05.2018

Correction: 05/24/2020

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