Changing the keyboard layout Not satisfied with your computer keyboard layout? KeyTweak is a free software program that allows you to map keys on your keyboard. If you change your mind and want to change it back, it’s easy to reset all maps with one click. You can also disable locks, enable others, and save resets with just a few. What is KeyTweak? For a discerning user, there’s nothing quite like having your keyboard keys mapped out in the right way for your needs. KeyTweak allows you to change how the keyboard behaves when you press the keys. After using KeyTweak, your key will generate a keypress (function() {(’review-app-page-desktop’); }); KeyTweak is useful for people who work with alternative keyboard layouts, such as computers from other countries. You may also need to customize your keyboard to suit a particular game or computer program. KeyTweak is a small and lightweight (less than 500kb) utility developed by Travis Krumsick. This program is available on computers running Windows Vista. It is also compatible with Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 7. Although KeyTweak is no longer being developed or supported, it does work with Windows 10 machines. KeyTweak is not available for Mac computers. Alternatives to KeyTweak include Sharpkeys, Autohotkey, Google Input Tools for PC, and Portable On-screen Keyboard. How to install KeyTweak? Downloading KeyTweak from Softonic is easy and safe. Just run the exe installer and follow the on-screen instructions, including accepting the license agreement. Next, open the Start menu and find the KeyTweak submenu. Here you will also find the manual and the uninstaller application. To launch the application, simply click on the KeyTweak entry in the KeyTweak menu. How to use KeyTweak When you open KeyTweak, the main window displays an image of a keyboard, along with a menu bar, a remapping section, a keyboard controls section, a special keys section, a pending change section, and a button to toggle between full and half. teaching modalities You can also access the KeyTweak manual here from the Help menu. Note that the assigned keyboard is not specific to your keyboard; it’s universal. Below the menu bar at the top of the window, the Remap section includes a list of currently remapped keys and keys to restore default values and display the raw map. Keyboard controls are where you can choose a new mapping for the selected key. You can do this using the drop-down list and the Remap button. Custom Keys, on the right side of the window, lets you remap some (but not all) of the custom keys your keyboard may have, such as movie playback controls. In the lower-right corner, the Pending Changes box displays the changes that will take effect after the next computer restart. The full/half teach mode buttons at the bottom of the window give you the option to switch between the two teach modes respectively. At first glance, KeyTweak may seem difficult to use, but its extensive manual provides step-by-step instructions. You just need to select the virtual keyboard keys you want to remap. It will correspond to the keys on your own keyboard and will have its own number. Once you click on the virtual button you will seethe map is currently listed in the Keyboard Controls section. Then open the Select New Mapping drop-down list to choose a new mapping for this key. Then click on the remapping key and you will see that remapping appears in the Pending Changes section. Any changes you make with KeyTweak require a reboot for them to take effect. Then click the Apply button to apply the changes and the program will give you the option to restart your computer immediately. You can also stop remapping by clicking the Clear All button. You can repeat this process for as many buttons as you like, defining new mappings or disabling button functionality. After you restart, your keyboard will be mapped as you specified while using the program. KeyTweak is especially suited for redefining individual keys and fixing minor keyboard glitches, rather than changing the entire keyboard behavior. Remember that the changes you make in KeyTweak are global, so they will affect all users of the device. Full Teach Mode is an alternative method to remap your favorite keys. When you click the Full Teaching Mode button, a new window will open. After clicking Start Teaching Mode, you can select one key on your original manual keyboard for one slot (#1) and a second key for the other slot (#2) and then reassign number 1 to number 2. Half Teach Mode is useless because on basically the method is the same as the default way to remap keys. Does KeyTweak have limitations? While it’s an effective program for changing how your keyboard works, KeyTweak has some limitations. KeyTweak can’t combine keys, so for example you can’t map Ctrl-Alt-Delete to a single button. It shouldn’t affect the laptop’s function keys or the Pause/Pause button either. Some users may also be frustrated that not all the special keys on their keyboard are free keymap programs. There are many reasons why you might want to change your keyboard behavior. You may keep pressing the wrong keys on your new laptop. Or maybe you need to redefine the keyboard to run certain programs or play games. KeyTweak can help you in a simple and effective way, despite some limitations. KeyTweak is also helpful if your keyboard is broken and some keys don’t work anymore. This is a free program which is a simple solution to remap keyboard input signals in a way that suits your needs.
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