Program to re-program my keyboard?

Question

I would like to add some special characters to my keyboard, without replacing already existing key assignments.

I thought of adding such letters as: ¯, ², ±, ‰, ¢, ¥ and ·.

So I could get ¯ mark by pressing for example CTRL + ALT + _

What program should I get for this? Something that doesnt mess up my keyboard; just gives me the ability to add new key combinations.

Answer 1

With Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator you can create CTRL+ALT+ combinations, here is how:

• Go to: File -> Load Existing Keyboard...
• Select "Shift states" (left) and click the wanted button on the keyboard, and then paste the mark you want to be createn when that key combination is pressed.
• Go to: Project -> Test Keyboard Layout... and test if everything is ok.
• Go to: Project -> Build DLL and Setup Package. wait until it asks to open the folder and then run the Setup.exe it created for you.
• Open Control Panel -> Regional and Language options (icon) -> Languages (tab) -> Details (button)
• Select the keyboard layout you installed from the "Default input language" (list)
• Press Apply and look for that little keyboard icon at your taskbar right side (possibly), click it and select your custom keyboard layout. Now it should work.

Note: I'm not sure about the last (three) steps, but I was able to make it work only after clicking that keyboard icon and selecting the layout from there.

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May be the most simple solution is KeyTweak. There's also Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator but it's an old program and not easy to use as much as the one I suggest you.

KeyTweak download

Both are presented there: Remapping the Keyboard Layout in Windows XP, Vista, and 7

How to Remapping the Keyboard Layout in Windows XP, Vista, and 7