There are many types of keyboard layouts that exist in the world. The most common would be the QWERTY layout, used widely across the globe. However, there may come a time where you are presented with a foreign keyboard layout, or require a different keyboard setting to cater to the needs of a different type of user. Alternatively, you may have a keyboard that does not have a particular key that you want, or one with a particular key that is spoilt.

Instead of changing the hardware to suit the user (i.e. buying a new keyboard), why not remap the keys at the software level? Introducing KeyTweak, a freeware that allows you to change the keyboard layout by remapping keys at the software (registry) level. With this nifty tool, you can add new features onto a normal keyboard and replace those hardly used keys with functionalities that are useful to you. For example, if your keyboard does not have a Windows key, why not sacrifice one of the Alt keys? Tired of opening up the master volume control to mute your sounds while your boss/teacher pays you a visit at your terminal? Why not replace the hardly used Scroll Lock key with a mute button?

Best of all, you can save multiple keyboard layouts and load the appropriate one when the need arises. This would be useful for gamers who would prefer to set up their familiar keyboard layout throughout multiple games without having to keep changing it via the game interface. Or are unable to because the program does not allow remapping of its controls.

The downside of it is that the computer would need to be restarted before each remap takes effect and the remapping is not program specific. This means that you cannot load one keyboard layout for one type of program and load another type for a different program without having to go through the trouble of restarting the machine.

Nevertheless, this tool comes can also come in useful when dealing with spoilt keys on a laptop keyboard, to hold out until you can get it to a repair center.

Apart from increasing productivity, your collegue’s confused look when he tries to type out his report on his office computer is worth the trouble of remapping an entire keyboard. Randomly.

You can download KeyTweak, which is a freeware, here.

Possible Uses/Benefits of KeyTweak

• Adding new functionalities by remapping hardly used keys
• Restoring the functionality a spoilt key on the keyboard to another working key
• Suiting a keyboard to a person who uses a different keyboard layout
• Remapping a foreign keyboard to a familiar layout
• Remapping program controls to a more familiar layout (e.g. games that does not allow changing of controls from its interface)
• Remapping keys to prevent accidental triggering of unwanted functionality/processes
• Converting a normal keyboard to a specialized keyboard (e.g. gaming, music)
• A prank on April Fool’s Day