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I tried to learn Dvorak keyboard layout a few years ago, and got reasonably good at it, but I couldn't get past the fact that command-key shortcuts were no longer in the right place.

In particular, Ctrl+Z (undo), Ctrl+X (cut), Ctrl+C (copy), and Ctrl+V (paste) are all chosen specifically because of the location of those keys on a Qwerty keyboard (well, maybe Ctrl+C makes sense). Ctrl+A (select all) and Ctrl+S (save) are also very convenient because of their Qwerty keyboard location.

Is there any way (on Windows XP) to use Dvorak except when a control key (Ctrl, Alt, and/or WinLogo) is pressed? (Preferably without having to install any third party app.)

Kip
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2 Answers2

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This is called "Dvorak - QWERTY command" on Mac, and it is useful. I have found this a autohotkey script for windows which claims to do what you want, but I haven't tested it.

This also seems to be a dupe of a stackoverflow question, which suggests you can use the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator to do it as well.

Community
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jamuraa
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I wrote a tool that implements the "Dvorak-Qwerty command" layout on Windows, and even another one for Unix. You can get them here:

Dvorak-Qwerty ⌘" (DQ) keyboard layout for Windows and Unix/Linux/X

I guess this is a "third-party app" from your point of view, but I haven't been able to find a better solution.

Ramhound
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