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Last active September 10, 2023 15:02
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Windows PowerToys remapping (CAPS to CTRL, HJKL navigaion, Mac compatibility etc)
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windows_remapping.md

Windows PowerToys remapping

This is my guide how to remap a Windows keyboard using PowerToys

What is PowerToys

PowerToys is a Microsoft's official utility to customize Windows in different ways. Particulary, it allows to remap your keyboard. All the settings I mention below must be added in the Keyboard manager tab.

Caps-Ctrl remapping

Keys section

  • Caps Lock -> Ctrl (Left). Ctrl is indeed a frequetly used key. Relocating it to the Caps position will make your hand movements more ergonomic.
  • Ctrl (right) -> Caps Lock. Sometimes Caps may still be activated (due to some bugs, apps etc). This is the reserve way to disable it.

Mac compatibility remapping

Working both on Mac and Windows may be a severe pain. Hopefully, I found remappings which allow to switch between systems almost seamlessly

Keys section

  • Alt (Left) -> Ctrl (Left). Useful for Mac users. A relief to your muslce memory. Your can use the same shortcuts for copy/paste/new tab etc
  • Alt (left) -> Alt (right). I personally think that one Alt on the right side is enough. As the left alt is more oftenly used, and sometimes the alt side matters, move the left one to the right

Shortcuts section

  • Ctrl-Tab -> Alt-Tab. Return Alt-Tab shortcut on its phisical place
  • Ctrl-Space -> Alt-Space. I know that people on Mac and Windows use different shortcuts for language switching and search bar/spotlight. I personaly use Ctrl-Space for Spotlight and Opt/Win-Space for language switching. Set your own keys if you want

HJKL navigation

HJKL-navigation became popular because of the VIM editor. Arrow keys breaks the keyboard ergonomics. My way of remapping has some drawbacks and affect on other shortcuts so you should find a tradeoff.

Shortcuts section

  • Ctrl-J -> Down
  • Ctrl-K L-> Up. Some of you will suffer without Ctrl-K shortcut for Insert Link
  • Ctrl-H -> Left
  • Ctrl-L -> Right. Some of you will suffer without Ctrl-L shortcut for Go to browser address bar. Ctrl-Right still requires to use arrow keys

Fixes. Variant 1

  • Ctrl-Shift-L -> Ctrl-L
  • Ctrl-Shift-K -> Ctrl-K

Fixes. Variant 2.

I personally don't need Ctrl-L shortcut because I use Vimium extention for my browser. Ctrl-left/right are still very useful to more convinient navigation (not all of my programs have Vim plugins =)).

  • Ctrl-Shift-L -> Ctrl-Right
  • Ctrl-Shift-H -> Ctrl-Left
  • Ctrl-Shift-K -> Ctrl-K. But I still use Ctrl-K for links
  • Ctrl-Alt-L -> Ctrl-L. To keep the shortcut existing
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