How to remap keys or shortcuts on Windows 11

Do you need to reassign keyboard keys or shortcuts? In this guide, we'll show you how on Windows 11.

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@pureinfotech
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Windows 11 remap keys and shortcuts
  • To remap a key on Windows 11, open PowerToys > Keyboard Manager > Remap a key, configure the key remap and save changes.
  • To remap a shortcut on Windows 11, open PowerToys > Keyboard Manager > Remap a shortcut, configure the shortcut remap and save changes.

On Windows 11, you can remap keys and shortcuts in different ways, but using PowerToys is the fastest and easiest method, and in this guide, you will learn how.

If you play games on your computer or use the device for work, sometimes, you may need to reassign some keys and shortcuts to different keys or a combo of keys because it makes more sense to you or can help improve productivity. 

Regardless of the reason, Windows 11 doesn’t include a feature to change the actions of keys or shortcuts, but you can use the tools like Microsoft PowerToys to remap virtually any key or shortcut.

This guide will teach you how to use the PowerToys app to remap keys and shortcuts on Windows 11 quickly. (These instructions should also work on Windows 10.)

Remap keys on Windows 11

To remap keys on your keyboard on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open PowerToys.

  2. Click on Keyboard Manager.

  3. Turn on the “Enable Keyboard Manager” toggle switch.

  4. Click the “Remap a key” option.

    Keyboard manager remap keys

  5. Click the Plus (+) button.

  6. Select the key to remap in the “Physical key” setting.

  7. Select the key that will be mapped to the other key in the “Mapped to” setting.

    Windows 11 remap keys

    Quick note: You can map the key to another key or a combo of keys.

  8. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the key will now perform the action of the new key mapping on Windows 11.

Remap shortcuts on Windows 11

To remap shortcuts on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open PowerToys.

  2. Click on Keyboard Manager.

  3. Turn on the “Enable Keyboard Manager” toggle switch.

  4. Click the “Remap a Shortcuts” option.

    Keyboard manager remap shortcuts

  5. Click the Plus (+) button.

  6. Confirm the shortcut to remap in the “Physical Shortcut” setting.

    Quick note: Also, you can click the “Type” button to record the shortcut.

  7. Confirm the new shortcut that will replace the previous shortcut in the “Mapped to” setting. 

    Windows 11 remap shortcuts

  8. (Optional) Confirm the app executable to apply the new shortcut in the “Target Appp” setting.

    Quick note: The shortcut will apply to all applications if you don’t configure this setting.

  9. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the shortcut remap will perform the action you configured in the application.

If you want to remove the remap, you can go to the “Remap a key” or “Remap shortcuts” page and click the “Delete” (trash) button for the action you want to remove.

Although PowerToys can make it easier to remap keys and shortcuts on Windows 11, it’s important to note that the application doesn’t make system changes, meaning that the remaps will only work as long as PowerToys is running.