GBuffer.net

The problem: For a long time I have tried various methods to disable the worst key on the keyboard - the CAPS lock. In my opinion, it provides no real function and yet is placed in a position where it can be easily be pressed.

AutoHotKey

Attempt 1: Initially I disabled this key using an AutoHotKey script. But for some reason, the script would stop working and I would still find CAPS LOCK ON just when I was entering that password or something. Besides every new computer I went to needed to have AutoHotKey or a compiled .exe just for this purpose. Since I am fanatical about keeping 24×7 background apps to a minimal, this was a big no no. And finally, even though I think AutoHotKey is a very useful app, I doubt it can be used as a full scale keyboard  remapper.

KeyTweak

Attempt 2: After being pushed over the edge with AutoHotKey’s incompetence in this area, my hunt for a new application continued. After some modified google search terms and fresh hope for luck, I came across KeyTweak, among others which included plain old registry hacking and several incarnations or AutoHotKey. KeyTweak did just what I wanted. Once initial the configuration was made, it would do all the dirty registry hacing for me and I did not need any software to running in the background.

But now I was faced with a new problem, and this time it was caused due to personal circumstances. I had recently moved to a new country and this meant getting used to a whole new keyboard layout just for one new charecter - £. I think you know which country I am talking about. Initially I resisted by opening ‘Character Map’ and copying the £ symbol from the table. But soon I realized that this was happening more often than not and I needed another solution.

Secondly even if I did give in and decide to get used to a new keyboard layout, I’d still be stuck with a US keyboard on my laptop. Changing that would be a fairly expensive affair and if I didn’t it would mean different keyboard layouts on different computers which can get very very irritating. I say this out of experience.

AutoHotKey - Although this could do the job, I was still against having an app running in the background just so that it could type the £ for me. But until I found a better solution, this was going to be the answer to the problem.
KeyTweak - Although this could remap keys to others, somehow it was not able to find the £ character for me.

Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator

Attempt 3: So once again it was back to google. That is when I found ‘Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator‘. From the depths of Microsoft’s lair lies this little known app that can do pretty much anything and everything you wanted. Basically you create a whole new keyboard layout, just like the professionals do.

A quick guide to using Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator

1. So once you have done the obvious download and install, run the application.
2. If you are like me and want to remap change a few keys, then load your current keyboard layout by going to
   File > Load existing keyboard
3. If you are not sure which keyboard layout you are using, you can find this by going to
   Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Languages (tab) > Details (button)
4. Reconfigure the keys to the way you like it
5. Create a new installation package by going to
   Project > Build DLL and Setup Package
   Follow the instructions and create a installation package. Remember to give it a name that you can identify later.
6. Install the new layout using the installation package
7. Go to
   Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Languages (tab) > Details (button)
   Beside the tree view, click Add… and select the new keyboard layout that you just created.
8. Activate it by selecting the new layout from the drop down menu where is says
   ‘Default input language‘
   Alternatively, you can switch between this layout and your old layout by enabling the language bar.

I hope this guide helps you get the most out of your keyboard.

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