3 Ways to Remap Keyboard Keys in Windows 11

Key Takeaways 

• You can remap keyboard keys using Microsoft PowerToys, SharpKeys, and Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC).
• Microsoft PowerToys allows remapping single keys to other keys or specific actions, and even remapping entire keyboard shortcuts.
• Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) lets you create entirely new custom keyboard layouts.

Method 1: Using Microsoft PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a native utility tool that helps users boost their productivity on Windows. Remapping keys is only one of several abilities that Microsoft PowerToys offers. But first, you need to install the software before you can remap keyboard keys.

Remap Keys Using Keyboard Manager in Microsoft PowerToys

Step 1: Open Microsoft PowerToys on your Windows 11 computer.

Step 2: Click on Keyboard Manager in the sidebar.

Step 3: Turn on the toggle for Enable Keyboard Manager.

Step 4: Click on Remap a key.

Step 5: In the Remap Keys prompt, click on the plus icon to start remapping your keys.

Step 6: Click on the Type button.

Step 7: Now, press the key on your keyboard that you wish to remap and click on OK.

Step 8: If you want to remap your selected key to a different key, click on Type.

Step 9: Now press the desired key on your keyboard which you want as a remap and click on OK.

Note: Repeat steps 6-9 to remap more keys.

Step 10: Once done, click on the OK button at the top right.

Step 11: A warning box will pop up, click on Continue Anyway.

Your selected keys now have been remapped successfully. 

Reassign Keyboard Keys to Perform an Action in Windows 11

Step 1: Open Microsoft PowerToys on your Windows 11 machine.

Step 2: Click on Keyboard Manager.

Step 3: Now click on Remap a key.

Step 4: To add a new key for remapping, click on the plus icon.

Step 5: Now click on Type.

Step 6: Press the key on your keyboard that you wish to remap, and click on OK.

Step 7: To remap your selected to a specific action, click on the dropdown menu.

Step 8: Select the action which you want as a remap for your key.

Step 9: Click on the blue OK button.

Your selected key now has been remapped to perform your desired action.

Remap Shortcuts in Windows 11

As mentioned earlier, you can also remap shortcuts in Windows 11. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Microsoft PowerToys on your Windows 11 machine.

Step 2: Click on Keyboard Manager.

Step 3: Now click on Remap a shortcut.

Step 4: To change keyboard shortcuts, click on the plus icon.

Step 5: Click on the Type button in the Physical Shortcut section.

Step 6: Now press the keys involved in the shortcut which you wish to remap and click on OK.

Note: A maximum of three keys can be remapped. If your shortcut requires pressing more than three keys, it cannot be remapped using Microsoft PowerToys.

Step 7: Click on the Type button under the Mapped To section.

Step 8: Now, press the key you want as a remapped action. Alternatively, you can remap your selected shortcut from the dropdown menu to perform a particular task.

Step 9: Click on the OK button to save your changes.

Your selected shortcut has now been remapped to a new action.

Method 2: Using SharpKeys

SharpKeys is an open-source software that offers an alternative method to remap keys in Windows 11. Here’s how you can use it. Note that SharpKeys only supports key remapping and does not support changing keyboard shortcuts.

Step 1: Download SharpKeys from the Microsoft App Store and install it.

Step 2: Open SharpKeys on your Windows 11 machine.

Step 3: To start remapping a key, click on Add.

Step 4: Select the key you want to remap from the left list.

Step 5: Select the key you want as a remapped key from the right list. You can also click Type Key and press the key directly on your keyboard.

Step 6: Click on OK.

Step 7: Now, click on Write to Registry. To apply your changes, reboot your system.

Your keys have now been remapped successfully using SharpKeys in Windows 11. SharpKeys is as good as Microsoft PowerToys, but applying new changes requires a reboot every time.

Method 3: Using Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC)

The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) is a great option because it allows you to create or modify keyboard layouts. Here are the steps to use it.

Step 1: Visit the official SKLC page and hit the download button. Extract the file, double-click the downloaded file, and follow the wizard to complete the installation.

Step 2: Launch the app.

Step 3: Click the File menu, and click Load Existing Keyboard to use the current keyboard layout as a base, or simply click File and New.

Step 4: Click the key you wish to remap on the visual keyboard.

Step 5: Enter the new function and click the OK button.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 for as many keys as you like to remap.

Step 7: Click the Project menu, then Validate layout.

Step 8: Click Project, then Test Keyboard Layout.

Step 9: Click Project, then Build DLL and Setup Package; choose a saving location and click OK.

Step 10: Navigate to where you saved the file and run the setup.exe file, following the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 11: Open your Settings app. You may use Windows + I to open it.

Step 12: Navigate Time & language > Language & region.

Step 13: Click the three dots for your preferred language and click Language options.

Step 14: Click Add keyboard, and add your new keyboard. You may now press Windows + Space to switch to your custom keyboard.