RemapKeyboard

Keyboards have different key layouts, depending on their manufacturer, such as QWERTY, AZERTY and QUERTZ. Some keys even have symbols you may not recognize, in case you've purchased the device from a foreign country.

While modern keyboards have multimedia functions, like pressing a specific key to turn off the computer while another launches the media player, older ones don't. Both scenarios have one thing in common: you don't have to buy another keyboard just to be able to feel comfortable with its layout. Instead, there are software solutions capable of changing the key mappings to anything you want.

RemapKeyboard is one of these utilities. Designed with the casual user in mind, the app is packed in a clean and intuitive interface, making it possible to easily pick the key and assign it to something else. It doesn't require installation, so you can save it in your collection of portable software and fire it up whenever you need to review key mappings and make necessary modifications.

The main app window has three columns for viewing the current key mappings (initially empty), picking the physical key from the list, and choosing the new key to assign it to. Since the application cannot actually detect the type of your keyboard to list all its keys, it shows a list of all supported keys instead.

You can change all QWERTY keys (letters, numbers, symbols), special keys (like Capslock, BackSpace, Power, PrintScreen), numpad keys, arrows, F-lock (e.g. Close, Fwd on F8, Reply), media (e.g. next track, stop, volume up), and web (back, favorites, home).

Other types of keys can be changed for functions (e.g. F1, F2), applications (e.g. calculator, email), Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard (e.g. My Pictures, My Music) and non-US (e.g. euro) as well as International, Brazilian and Far East keyboards.

To make a new mapping, you just have to select the original and new key, then click a button to add it to a list. It's possible to add as many key mappings as you want, edit them, or remove them from the list if you change your mind. However, you have to log out of Windows and log in again to apply modifications.

The tool is incredibly easy to use and worked smoothly with Windows 10 in our tests. For example, you can use RemapKeyboard to remap W+A+S+D to Up+Down+Left+Right arrow keys if your favorite game doesn't support them. Too bad it doesn't support multiple profiles to be able to create multiple keyboard layouts and easily apply them whenever needed.