Remap keyboard combinations, not just single registry values

Question

I'm getting real tired of pressing shift every time I want to type $ or # . I've checked out key remapping programs like SharpKeys and a few others, but they don't support the SHIFT+[key] actions. The problem is they modify the registry value for a single key only (I think).

I want to flip over my number keys so when I type 4 , it outputs $ , similar to a French keyboard. (I tried physically rotating the key so it's upside down, but that's not working).

There must be a solution for this - can you help?

Answer 1

The registry hackers move virtual keys around. What you need is a custom keyboard layout. You can easily create your own with the Microsoft KeyBoard Layout Creator utility .

Answer 2

In addition to the answer from @HansPassant, if you find trouble with the ctrl+KEY functions etc you might need to edit the .klc file manually.

See https://superuser.com/questions/171307/how-can-i-restore-ctrlkey-functionality-in-microsoft-keyboard-layout-creator :

You need to modify the .klc file manually.

Basically you just modify the VK_ column to match the value in column 1 .

So for example if you want to bind L to N , you would create the keyboard as you normally would in KLC. Then you would open the KLC file in a text editor. Find the value L in the VK_ column, and switch it to an N .

For more information, I wrote the complete steps on my blog .