Hi there, this is Mudassir Shaukat, who loves to share tips and tricks on how to make your life easier with technology. Today, I’m going to talk about key mapping software, which is a great way to customize your keyboard and make it work the way you want.
Key mapping software lets you change the function of any key on your keyboard, whether it’s a single key, a shortcut, or a mouse button. You can use it to create new shortcuts. you can assign different characters, or you can disable keys that you don’t need. For example, you can turn the Caps lock key into a Control key or make the W key act as a Forward key.
Why would you want to do that? Well, there are many reasons. Maybe you are a gamer who wants to optimize your keyboard for your favorite games. Maybe you have a keyboard that has some keys that are broken or not working properly. Maybe you just want to have a more comfortable and efficient typing experience.
Whatever your reason, key mapping software can help you achieve it. But not all key mapping software are created equal. Some are more powerful and user-friendly than others. Some are compatible with Windows 10 11, while others are not. Some are free, while others are paid.
To help you choose the best key mapping software for your needs, I have compiled a list of the top 10 free key mapping software for Windows 10 11 with additional 2 free bonus key mapping software. These are the software that I have personally tested and found to be very reliable and effective. Here they are:
1. PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager
If you want to customize your keyboard layout, you need a reliable key mapping software. And what better option than Microsoft PowerToys, a free and open-source tool that lets you remap keys and shortcuts with ease and security.
Microsoft PowerToys is not just a key mapping software; it’s a suite of utilities that enhance your Windows experience. One of these utilities is the Keyboard Manager, which allows you to change the behavior of your keys and shortcuts according to your preferences.
Pros:
- You can remap any physical key or keyboard combination to another key, keyboard combination, or mouse button. For example, you can swap the Caps Lock and Escape keys, or assign the F1 key to open your favorite app.
- You can create different profiles or custom keymaps for different situations. For example, you can have a profile for gaming, another for coding, and another for browsing the web.
- You can remap keys and shortcuts for specific apps or for the entire operating system. For example, you can have a shortcut to copy and paste in one app, and a different shortcut to do the same in another app.
- You can use keystrokes to perform various system functions, such as sleep, restart, or shut down your device.
- You can temporarily disable the remapping on a per-application basis. For example, you can turn off the remapping when you use a password manager or a secure website.
- You can easily undo or revert any remapping you have done. The Keyboard Manager will also remind you to assign a new function to any key you have left unassigned after remapping.
The best part is that the remapping takes effect instantly; you don’t have to restart your device or log out of your account. You can see the results of your customization right away.
Cons:
However, PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager is not without its drawbacks. Here are some of the limitations of this software:
- You have to keep PowerToys running in the background for the remapping to work. This can take up some memory and CPU resources.
- You cannot remap certain keys that are reserved for the operating system, such as the Windows key, the Ctrl+Alt+Delete combination, or the Print Screen key.
- You cannot use scripting or macros to automate tasks or create complex key sequences. This may disappoint some advanced users who want more functionality from their key mapping software.
- You cannot target some applications that run with elevated privileges, such as Task Manager or Registry Editor. This may prevent you from remapping keys and shortcuts for some system tools.
Microsoft PowerToys Keyboard Manager is a tool that lets you remap your keyboard keys and shortcuts using a graphical interface. You can use it to assign different actions, commands, macros, shortcuts, or even other keys to any key on your keyboard. You can access it from the PowerToys settings or by pressing Win + Shift + K.
2. SharpKeys
SharpKeys is a software application that lets you easily swap or remap one key with another. For example, you can change the function of the Caps Lock key to something more useful, like the Shift key or the Backspace key. You can also disable any key that you don’t use or that annoys you, like the Fn key or the Windows key.
Unlike other key mapping tools, SharpKeys does not have to run in the background for the remapping to work. It simply makes a small change to the system registry, which tells Windows how to interpret the keystrokes. This way, it saves system resources and avoids potential conflicts with other software.
Pros:
- It has a simple and clean interface that makes the remapping process easy and straightforward. You can see the changes in an editor window as you make them.
- It allows you to map a single key to any number of combined keys.
- It lets you use the portable version without installing anything.
- It does not consume system resources by running in the background.
- It does not require you to mess with the Windows Registry Editor to undo the remapping; you can simply delete the remapped keys from the software.
- It has robust fail-safe options that prevent you from losing access to your device or account. For example, it will remind you to assign a new function to any key you have left unassigned after remapping.
Cons:
- It requires you to reboot your device for the changes to take effect.
- It cannot remap certain keys that are reserved for the operating system, such as the Windows key, the Ctrl+Alt+Delete combination, or the Print Screen key.
- It cannot remap keys to work only in specific software; the changes are applied to the whole system.
- It cannot use scripting or macros to automate tasks or create complex key sequences.
- It cannot target some applications that run with elevated privileges, such as Task Manager or Registry Editor.
Overall, SharpKeys is a great choice for anyone who wants a simple and effective way to remap their keyboard keys. It offers a lot of benefits and convenience for customizing your keyboard layout. However, it also has some limitations that may affect your user experience. You should weigh the pros and cons before deciding to use this software.
3. X-Mouse Button Control (XMBC)
Do you have a mouse with more than three buttons? Do you want to use them to perform keyboard functions and shortcuts? If yes, then you need X-Mouse Button Control.
Pros:
- Remap any keyboard function or shortcut to any mouse button, including the scroll wheel. For example, you can map the copy-paste function to your mouse side buttons, or the brightness control to your scroll wheel.
- Create different profiles for different applications, and switch between them easily. For example, you can have a profile for gaming, another for browsing, and another for editing.
- Create different layers within each profile and configure your mouse buttons to perform different functions in each layer. For example, you can have a layer for normal mode, another for full-screen mode, and another for presentation mode.
- Map common keyboard shortcuts and functions, such as copy-paste, brightness up, brightness down, and more, to your mouse with ease. X-Mouse Button Control supports a variety of keyboard actions that you can assign to your mouse.
- Control your mouse buttons with granular precision. You can set triggers and conditions for your mouse button actions, such as time, application, modifier keys, and more.
- Record and playback macros with your mouse buttons.
- Customize your scroll wheel with advanced options. You can change the scroll speed, direction, sensitivity, and more.
Cons:
- It requires you to run it in the background for the remapping to work. This can consume system resources and affect your device’s performance.
- It has a user interface that is not very intuitive. You may need to read the user guide (included in the ZIP file package) to understand how to use it properly.
4. MapKeyboard
MapKeyboard is a key mapping software that allows you to change the function of any key on your keyboard. You can use it to remap keys, disable keys, or create different layouts for different purposes. MapKeyboard is especially useful for those who need to adjust their keyboard settings for temporary or specific situations, such as gaming, typing, or accessibility.
Pros:
MapKeyboard has some advantages over other key mapping software, such as:
- It has a simple interface that shows a keyboard view, where you can select any key and assign a new function from a drop-down menu of output keys.
- It is very small and lightweight, as it only occupies 30KB of file size.
- You can download it and run it without installation, making it portable and convenient.
- It allows you to save and load custom layouts, as well as reset to the default layout, all from the same screen.
- You can also switch between different profiles easily.
Cons:
MapKeyboard is not perfect, and it has some drawbacks that you should be aware of, such as:
- It does not support the remapping of keyboard shortcuts, which means you cannot use it to create custom combinations of keys for commands or actions
- It does not have an official website, which means you have to download it from a third-party site. This could pose a risk of malware or viruses, so you should be careful and scan the file before running it.
- It requires you to restart your device to apply the changes.
How to use MapKeyboard?
Using MapKeyboard is very easy and straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
- Download MapKeyboard from a trusted third-party site, such as this one.
- Extract the zip file and run the executable file. You will see a keyboard view on the screen.
- Select the key that you want to remap or disable and choose a new function from the drop-down menu. You can also use the search box to find a specific key or function.
- Repeat the process for any other keys that you want to change.
- Save your custom layout by clicking on the Save button. You can also load a previously saved layout by clicking on the Load button.
- Reset to the default layout by clicking on the Reset button.
- Restart your device to apply the changes.
That’s it! You have successfully used MapKeyboard to customize your keyboard layout settings.
5. AutoHotkey
AutoHotkey is a powerful and flexible key mapping software for Windows that lets you remap keys, buttons, and shortcuts using programming scripts. AutoHotkey allows you to create custom hotkeys for the keyboard and mouse, as well as autocorrect-like replacements.
AutoHotkey is also open-source and free, which means you can modify it to suit your preferences.
Pros:
- You can remap any key, button, or shortcut with scripts.
- It is lightweight and fast, and does not slow down your system.
- It has unlimited potential for key remapping and automation.
- It is highly customizable and modifiable.
- It supports macro recording and automation.
- It has a lot of advanced features and functionalities.
Cons:
- You need to know some programming to write your own scripts.
- You may have to depend on third-party scripts if you can’t write your own, which can be risky.
- It has a steep learning curve for beginners.
- It may be too much for simple remapping needs.
AutoHotkey is also one of the most efficient key mapping software for Windows, as it runs in the background with minimal resource consumption.
6. KeyTweak
KeyTweak is a free and easy-to-use tool that lets you remap your keyboard keys in a few clicks. You don’t need to mess with the registry or any complicated codes. You just need to use the virtual keyboard that shows you exactly what you are changing.
With KeyTweak, you can:
- Select any key on the virtual keyboard and choose a new key or function from the drop-down menu.
- Check the description section to see the details of the keys you are switching.
- Review all the changes you have made before applying them.
- Restore the original keyboard settings with the Restore All Defaults button.
- Save and load different mapping configurations as remap files.
- Remap special keys on multimedia keyboards and web browsers, such as Play, Mute, Back, Forward, etc.
- Run the program in full teaching mode or half teach mode, depending on your level of expertise.
- Disable any key or see a raw map of your keyboard.
KeyTweak is a powerful and versatile software that can help you improve your productivity, security, gaming, and comfort. Whether you want to fix a broken key, change the layout of your keyboard, or create custom shortcuts, KeyTweak can do it all.
You can download KeyTweak from softpedia.com and start remapping your keyboard today. Don’t hesitate, give it a try and see the difference for yourself.
7. Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator
MKLC is a free and easy-to-use tool that lets you create your own keyboard layout from scratch or modify an existing one. You don’t need to deal with the registry or any complex codes. You just need to use the virtual keyboard that shows you exactly what you are changing.
With MKLC, you can:
- Choose from three keyboard layout options under the options tab.
- Enter the name, description, company, copyright, and language of your layout.
- Select any key on the virtual keyboard and choose a new key or function from the drop-down menu.
- Set certain keys as dead keys, which can produce different characters when combined with other keys.
- Adjust the shift state settings, such as Caps Lock, AltGr, ShiftLock, LRM, and RLM.
- Choose your own legend colors for different keys.
- Save your layout as a source file (KLC), an image, or a printout.
- Validate, test, and build your layout as a DLL and setup package.
- Install your layout on any computer with the setup file.
- Restore the original keyboard settings with the Restore All Defaults button.
MKLC is a powerful software that can help you improve your productivity, security, gaming, and comfort. Whether you want to fix a broken key, change the layout of your keyboard, or create custom shortcuts, MKLC can do it all.
You can download MKLC from microsoft.com and start creating your own keyboard layout today.
8. Key Remapper
Key Remapper is a powerful tool that lets you:
- Remap keys and mouse buttons to different functions, such as changing the Caps Lock to Ctrl, or the Right Mouse Button to Left Mouse Button.
- Disable keys and mouse buttons that you don’t use or that interfere with your work, such as the Windows key, or the middle mouse button.
- Replace keys and mouse buttons with combinations of other keys, mouse buttons, or modifiers, such as replacing the Alt key with Alt+Tab, or the Left Mouse Button with Ctrl+Left Mouse Button.
- Mirror double clicks and key presses and set a delay between them, such as mirroring the double click of the Right Mouse Button with a 500 ms delay.
- Remap mouse wheel rotation to a different value, such as remapping the mouse wheel up to Page Up, or the mouse wheel down to Page Down.
- Counter remap keys and mouse buttons that are already remapped by other programs, such as games or applications that use custom key bindings.
- Limit remapping and blocking to specific programs and windows, such as remapping the F1 key to Help only in Microsoft Word, or blocking the Esc key only in a game.
- Create and switch between key sets quickly and easily, such as creating a key set for gaming, and another one for writing.
Key Remapper is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. You can download it from atnsoft.com. Key Remapper has a free version and a paid version. The free version has all the features you need to customize your keyboard and mouse, while the paid version offers some extra benefits, such as lifetime updates and priority support.
9. Key Manager Key Mapping Software for Windows
Key Manager is the product from ATNSOFT, a company that specializes in keyboard and mouse optimization.
Key Manager is the advanced version of Key Remapper, and it offers a lot more than just remapping keys and mouse buttons. With Key Manager, you can:
- Remap any combinations of keys and mouse buttons, such as remapping Ctrl+Alt+Del to a single key, or remapping the Left Mouse Button and the Right Mouse Button to each other.
- Remap long presses of keys and mouse buttons to different functions, such as remapping a long press of the Space key to a mouse click, or a long press of the Right Mouse Button to a right-click menu.
- Display your actions in pop-up menus that can be triggered by hotkeys, such as displaying a menu of editing commands, recording commands, pasting commands, macro commands, and more.
- Perform various actions with your keyboard and mouse, such as imitating mouse clicks, opening websites, changing the layout, filling up forms, controlling the monitor power, and more.
Key Manager is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. You can download it from atnsoft.com, where you can also find more information and tutorials. Key Manager has a free trial and a paid version. The free trial lets you try all the features for 30 days, while the paid version gives you lifetime updates and priority support.
10. Key Extender
Key Extender is the perfect solution for extending your key functions and making your keyboard more convenient for work or play. With Key Extender, you can:
- Change your keyboard layout to a more functional one, without buying a new keyboard. You can change your standard keyboard (102) to a cross-functional keyboard, with more keys and options.
- Replace keys with other keys on your keyboard, such as replacing the A key with the E key, or the Q key with the Z key.
- Add functions to single keys on your keyboard, such as adding the Ctrl+V function to the Tab key, or the F9 key to type frequently used text.
- Define hotkeys for your keyboard, using the Settings options. You can also enable or disable the effect of the software on your keyboard, with a simple click.
Key Extender is simple, compact, and easy to understand. It uses pull-down menus to change the way a key works. You can download it from atnsoft.com.
11. Keyboard Layout Manager
Keyboard Layout Manager is a small but mighty program that takes up less than 1MB of your disk space. It runs smoothly on your computer without slowing it down. It gives you the freedom to choose from various options in the main window, such as language, layout, and keyboard type. You can also make a new layout from scratch if you don’t like the existing ones.
The best part is that you can use the virtual keyboard provided by the program to map any character to any key, except the function keys. You can do this with just three clicks of your mouse. You can also use different key combinations to map up to six characters per key.
In short, Keyboard Layout Manager is a handy tool that makes keyboard mapping easy and fun.
How to Use Keyboard Layout Manager
Here are the steps to use Keyboard Layout Manager to change your keyboard layout:
- Select a layout name, a language, and a template if you want to change the keyboard layout. If you want to make a new layout, click on the New button.
- Edit the layout by clicking on the keys on the virtual keyboard and choosing the characters from the character map. You can also reset the keyboard, clear or reset a key, change the font, and resolve VKs from the menu.
- Export or import your layout from the File menu.
- Choose the view mode from the View menu. You can see the normal, Shift, Ctrl, Ctrl+Alt, and Shift+Ctrl+Alt views of your layout.
- Choose the Caps Lock mode from the Options menu. You can select Caps Lock, Caps alternate, or Caps lock (AltGr).
- Activate your layout by adding it to the active keyboard layouts list from the Activate menu.
- In the lite version, you can only edit the characters of your layout.
12. Key Mapper
If you are looking for a way to customize your keyboard keys, you need to check out Key Mapper. This is a powerful and easy-to-use key mapping tool that lets you remap keys with a simple drag-and-drop interface. You can also disable keys, create new mappings, and export your settings as a registry file.
Key Mapper works with any keyboard layout and language, and even has a Mac Keyboard option for those who switch between operating systems.
Here are some of the features and benefits of using Key Mapper:
Drag-and-Drop Interface
Key Mapper has a sleek and intuitive interface that shows you a visual keyboard on your screen. You can remap any key by dragging it to another key, or disable it by dragging it off the keyboard. You can also double-click on a key to open a mapping window, where you can choose from a list of options or use key capture to assign a new function. You can undo and redo any changes you make, and save your settings for later use.
Multiple Options
Key Mapper gives you a lot of flexibility and control over your keyboard settings. You can choose to display all mappings, boot mappings, or user mappings, depending on your preference. You can also clear all boot mappings, revert to saved settings, or export your settings as a registry file. You can select from different keyboard layouts and languages, and toggle lock keys on or off. You can also use the Mac Keyboard option to mimic the layout of a macOS keyboard.
Pros and Cons
Key Mapper is a great tool for anyone who wants to customize their keyboard keys, but it also has some drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons of using Key Mapper:
Pros | Cons |
– Easy to use drag-and-drop interface | – May have a learning curve for beginners |
– Allows remapping and disabling keys | – May use system resources |
– Supports various keyboard layouts and languages | – May have compatibility issues with some keyboard layouts |
– Has a Mac Keyboard option | |
– Allows exporting settings as a registry file |
How to Use Key Mapper
Using Key Mapper is very simple and straightforward. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Download and install Key Mapper.
- Launch Key Mapper and choose your keyboard layout and language.
- Drag and drop keys to remap or disable them, or double-click on a key to open a mapping window.
- Save your settings and allow Key Mapper to make changes to the registry.
- Log off and log back in for the changes to take effect.
That’s it! You have successfully customized your keyboard keys with Key Mapper. Enjoy your new keyboard experience!