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How to remap keyboard keys on Windows
There are plenty of reasons you might want to rebind your computer keys. Since this feature changes how your computer interprets each keystroke, you can use rebindings to reroute broken or missing keys, set up cool keyboard layouts, or trigger powerful macros on brand-new custom keyboards. We’ll show you how to rebind keyboard keys on computers running Windows, as well as how to remap shortcuts to new keyboard combinations.
What to know before remapping your keys
While customizing keyboard shortcuts can level up your productivity, you may assume the process requires computer registry edits or third-party software. In truth, it's easier than you may think, and all you need is the official Microsoft PowerToys app.
Microsoft PowerToys is available as a free app for Windows 10 and 11, but it is not compatible with Windows 7 or 8. If you still use those older operating systems, we recommend you upgrade OS regardless, not just because you will get to use PowerToys — Microsoft no longer supports these systems, so they no longer receive crucial security updates. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't provide free Windows 10 upgrades anymore, but Windows 11 Pro is regularly sold at a significant discount and brings a host of productivity improvements along with it.
For those seeking some alternative productivity hacks, many modern keyboards and gaming mice include third-party tools that let you configure complex macros. And if you are comfortable making registry edits, you could always disable intrusive suggestions in Windows 11 for a more streamlined Windows experience. For most people, however, PowerToys offers the best key remapping solution.
: 4 clever keyboard hacks to type faster (USA TODAY)
What is Microsoft PowerToys?
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of first-party tools designed to help Windows 10 and 11 owners fine-tune their experiences. This program suite lets users alter colors across multiple apps, pin program windows to the front of the screen, and easily resize images. Microsoft regularly updates PowerToys with popular third-party tweaks and customizations, including (for the purposes of this article) the Keyboard Manager that lets you remap your keys.
How to install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store
The easiest way to find and install Microsoft PowerToys is to use the Microsoft Store that comes with every copy of Windows 10 and 11:
- Open the Microsoft Store by searching for it in the Start menu or clicking on its icon in the taskbar.
- Within the Microsoft Store, enter PowerToys into the search bar at the top.
- Select the first result (it should be labeled as a free Developer Tools app provided by Microsoft Corporation).
- Click Install.
The Microsoft Store page for Microsoft PowreToys© Provided by XDA Developers
- Wait for the program to finish downloading. You might need to click on a pop-up window to finish the installation.
While the Microsoft Store should streamline the installation process, if you have removed the store from your computer or can't sign in to your Microsoft account (or perhaps just don't like using their app store), you can also download Microsoft PowerToys from other sources in a pinch.
How to install PowerToys from GitHub
Microsoft also offers the PowerToys program through GitHub. While this website isn't as straightforward as the Microsoft Store, you can install previous or beta versions of PowerToys if the latest official version isn't working for you. To install from GitHub, follow these steps:
- Browse the GitHub releases page for Microsoft PowerToys.
- Locate the release version you want. You may find it easier to browse releases by selecting Tags at the top.
- Under Installer Hashes, download the executable file for the version you want. Make sure you select the correct architecture for your PC. If you are unsure, download the x86 version.
Microsoft PowerToys available through Github© Provided by XDA Developers
- Once downloaded, open the executable file and follow the installers instructions.
Regardless of where you received your copy of Microsoft PowerToys, once the app is installed, you are ready to remap your keyboard.
How to use PowerToys to remap keys
Microsoft PowerToys includes a whole suite of features designed to help improve your Windows experience, including the ability to remap keys. Follow the steps below to set up a basic keyboard binding:
- Open PowerToys.
- Scroll down through the PowerToys sidebar and select Keyboard Manager.
- Verify that Enable Keyboard Manager is on. If it isn't, click the toggle to turn the feature on.
- Select Remap a Key.
- Select the + Add key remapping button in the new window.
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- Click the Select button in either the left or right-hand boxes.
- Tap on the key you want to remap. Then repeat the process with the other Select button and other key you want to serve as the new target.
- Alternatively, you can click on the left and right-hand dropdown menus and pick the keys from their selections.
Using the dropdown menu to remap keys in Microsoft PowerToys© Provided by XDA Developers
- Click OK in the top right-hand corner of the window to save your changes.
- Verify your new keybinding has appeared in the main PowerToys Keyboard Manager window.
- Close PowerToys and try out your keybinding.
Remapping a keyboard shortcut in PowerToys
PowerToys also lets you remap an entire keyboard shortcut. Here’s how to do that:
- Open PowerToys and select Keyboard Manager in the sidebar.
- Verify that Enable Keyboard Manager is on. If it isn't, click the toggle to turn the feature on.
- Select Remap a shortcut.
- Select the + Add shortcut remapping button in the new window.
- Make sure the action from the Action dropdown menu is set to Send key/shortcut.
- Click the Select button (the one that looks like a pencil) in either the left or right-hand boxes.
- Tap on the keys you want to remap. You can (and should) hold down multiple keys at once, e.g., CTRL and C.
- Repeat the process with the other Select button and other keys you want to serve as the new shortcut or target.
- Alternatively, you can click on the left and right-hand dropdown menus and pick the keys from their selections. Please note that the shortcut to remap needs to start with a modifier key (e.g., CTRL or SHIFT), but the target of the remapping does not.
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- If you want to restrict the rebinding to a specific application, enter its name in the Target App field. If you don't, the shortcut rebinding will apply globally to all programs.
- Select OK to save your selection, and try it out!
You can also use the shortcut remapping function to bind different actions to unique shortcuts. For instance, if you want to open a URL by holding CTRL + D (or any other shortcut), you can do so with Microsoft PowerToys. However, the more complicated actions require progressively deeper programming knowledge.
How to remove a keybinding
Removing a keybinding is similar to adding one. Here's how to do it:
- Open PowerToys and select Keyboard Manager in the sidebar.
- Select Remap a Key.
- Click on the Delete mapping button (the one that looks like a trash can) to the right of the keybinding you want to delete.
Deleting a key rebinding in Microsoft PowerToys© Provided by XDA Developers
- Click OK to save your changes.
You can also delete shortcut rebindings the same way. Just go into the shortcuts remapping section and follow the rest of the instructions above.
Playing with PowerToys
Once you get the hang of using Microsoft PowerToys to rebind individual keys and keyboard shortcuts, you can add so much functionality to your computer. Rebinding shortcuts in specific applications is only the beginning; get creative and set up some cool macros to streamline your day-to-day workflow.
