How to configure your keyboard and mouse without original software

Because not everyone has the latest keyboards on the market or gaming peripherals with advanced configuration software, here we bring you a guide for those users who do not want to be left behind. Reassigning buttons, setting functions or linking macros are some of the alternatives with which we can configure our keyboard and mouse without original software.

Index of contents

The importance of software

There are many aspects that at first glance seem immovable when we acquire a keyboard for the first time or are little familiar with the world of computing. Activating the Windows key, multimedia buttons or macro assignments are simple functions that we can use in our day to day. Many users believe that the software is a complement that mainly changes the lighting on RGB keyboards and little else, but the truth is that this is only the most visual aspect.

Assigning Windows or FN to a different key, opening a program or executing a Photoshop action are some of the examples of the possibilities that software can provide. However, mice and keyboards of more basic models or lesser-known brands usually do not have one as standard. This occurs especially in peripherals designed for day-to-day work in the office or on a low budget, but it does not mean that it is not possible.

Windows Operating System Options

Virtually all current operating systems offer a partial degree of configuration of our mouse and keyboard. The customizable options may vary, although there are aspects that are generally maintained in most of your versions of System.

• Mouse: in the case of Windows, within Settings <Devices we can define the primary button and the on-screen scroll of the scroll wheel. You can also adjust the size and appearance of the cursor or set the pointer speed. Keyboard: in the case of laptops it may be different since it is integrated and does not have third-party installation drivers. In general, the keyboard options in the system are found in Settings <Accessibility. Once on the keyboard we can enable options such as On-screen keyboard, Use key filter to ignore short keystrokes or change the keyboard format (QWERTY, AZERTY, DVORAK…) depending on the language.

These first two options may vary depending on the version of the operating system in use. In our case it is Windows 10.

Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator

This Microsoft program puts users in the hands of a tool that allows them to establish a keyboard map from scratch. The possibilities are open to the needs of the user and it allows changing the keyboard configuration so that certain functions are integrated into its keys. This is especially useful if you have design and editing programs like Photoshop , Blender or AfterEffects in mind .

Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center

The Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center is an application that helps to get the most out of the Microsoft keyboard and mouse, allowing us to customize our work environment on the PC. Once downloaded we will only have to connect the keyboard to configure and press Start <Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center. Once there we select the key to reassign and we choose its new function.

Remember that you cannot reassign the Windows key, the only option available is to disable it.

Mac OS Operating System Options

As it could not be otherwise, the real options that Apple offers to modify the default keyboard and mouse settings do not differ much from those already present in Windows. On the Mac, select Apple menu <System Preferences.

• Mouse: within this category we can regulate the speed of the cursor movement, the double click and scroll scroll points. With specific mouse models of the Mac such as the Magic Mouse, the setting of the secondary click or Ctrl + click is also adjustable. Keyboard: in preferences we must choose Keyboard to be able to access the options available by default. The repetition of the key is calibrable when pressed very briefly. Apart from this, the availability of the Touch Bar (a function bar) makes it also selectable in this category which controls are displayed, function keys and quick actions among other elements.

Karabiner Elements

This program is especially suitable for making new configurations and adjustments on MacBook and Magic Keyboard keyboards, among others. Karabiner Elements software allows us to reassign keys with new functions, configure profiles and disable keys, among others. The best of all? It is totally free.

Although it is not an official Apple program, it is specifically designed for its keyboards, so if yours is from the Manzanita brand this is the first option.

Configure without software: free alternatives

It does not matter if the changes you want to make are for your keyboard or mouse, fortunately the digital age has made generic programs proliferate like mushrooms and we can count on many possibilities that adapt to our needs. Each software has a more or less accessible interface and it is also possible that they are more focused on some aspects than others. That is why we are going to start with a list where we will see some of the best free license alternatives.

The programs listed below are mostly designed for full compatibility with Windows and Linux, but their effectiveness on Mac can vary.

Keytweak

One of the most used programs to reassign keys in Windows 10 is KeyTweak. Thanks to this program we will be able to reassign any function to specific keys in a simple way. It is possible to assign a new layout to the keyboard (another language, for example) and disable keys that we never use.

The remapping is always done globally, never locally or for specific cases. Additionally, KeyTweak allows us to save our keyboard layouts so that we can reuse them later or undo all the changes to return to the initial keyboard configuration.

Once all the keys are reassigned, KeyTweak will request to restart the computer to apply the changes effectively. If we are not satisfied later, we can always revert the modifications in the main menu with Restore all defaults , but we must restart again to take effect.

SharpKeys

This software allows us to create our own keyboard shortcuts adjusting them to our tastes and to overwrite existing ones. Modifying or deleting these overwrites is always available as well as completely reverting the changes.

The advantage of SharpKeys over KeyTweak is that it is more exhaustive and tries to show us a large number of keyboard shortcuts and possible combinations for each of its buttons, which makes it appear more complete. In return, the interface is less simple and direct, although the operation is essentially similar.

Basically when choosing the button we are shown a list "A" of its functions or current function and we change this to one of the alternatives in panel "B". We save and if necessary restart the system.

MapKeyboard

MapKeyboard has the detail of representing the keys with characters instead of numbers. In this way we can better identify them in order to execute the changes.

The procedure to change the assignments is very simple, we click on the key represented in the program and choose the one we want to reassign in the drop-down list in the lower area ( Remap selected key to… ). The application will display a full keyboard, so those who use TKL or 60% formats remember that these extra buttons will not serve you. Also additional buttons for macros or multimedia are not reflected.

Key mapper

With KeyMapper we can completely modify the keyboard of our PC. The program highlights its clean and simple interface in which we can disable keys, change functions and even the language. Basically the essential operation of the program is based on three variables:

• If we press a key and drag it on top of another, it will be reassigned with the function of the previous one. When we click on a key and drag it out of the program, this key will be deactivated. By double-clicking on a key, we will be able to configure the reassignment function that we want to perform more exhaustively.

When we want to revert all the configuration we must go to the toolbar and click on " Mappings " and then choose "clear all mappings " or " revert to saved " if we already had it saved. When all this is what we want we will have to restart the team for the changes to take effect.

Set up and create macros

Granted, the whole reel of assigning functions to different keys and changing language profiles sounds great, but more advanced users may miss that little magic of macros. For those whose keyboard does not allow macros or has no software, do not despair. Currently there are solutions for everything and you could not miss the programs to create commands and actions when neither our keyboard or mouse bring it by default. You can't say we don't take care of you, huh? Here are some alternatives:

MacroMaker Software

A simple and direct program, just as its name suggests. MacroMaker is software that allows you to record sequences of events to create macros in Windows. Both keystrokes and mouse movements have a place in this program, as well as the activation of windows, their positions and sizes.

When we configure a macro we can specify the repetition time, speed and sensitivity of the mouse, among other aspects. It is very affordable software for less knowledgeable users of the programming world, although models can also be created for specific programs or games.

FastFox

FastFox is the modern version of MacroMaker. It offers key mapping options in addition to macros and can be adapted according to the active program in the main window.

Having more customization options gives you enhanced versatility, but also a more complex menu to familiarize yourself with. The final result, however, is very efficient and although it is not compatible with Linux, we can use it on a Mac.

All these programs for recording and creating macros work in Windows and have a free version. They are quite basic, but they are in English.

Finally, to emphasize in general the question of saving commands. Knowing if they can be stored in the memory of your keyboard or only on the computer is important if you are going to move around often. Local memory on keyboard will always be your best option, but it also depends on the model you are using since it is not common in the mid or low range.

Mouse Manager

It is a light and simple program whose only function is to assign functions to the secondary buttons of our mouse. Basically Mouse Manager acts in a way that buttons already present on the keyboard are assigned to give them a new function when used on the mouse, such as Ctrl + Alt + Del or Ctrl + C. This means that technically we can not only assign specific keys, but also keyboard executable macros.

Conclusions on configuring keyboard and mouse without original software

At the end of the day it turns out that the alternatives available to us despite not having original programs for our keyboard or mouse are more numerous than we might expect. Obviously not all of them will come to us like a finger and it is difficult to find them with an English translation, but the evidence shows that it is possible to configure without original software.

You may be interested in reading: Programs to reassign keys in Windows 10

The drawback mainly depends on each program, and is that not all of them are equally intuitive or have a way of showing us in advance if what we want can be done. The peripheral that comes out worst is undoubtedly the mouse, although in this aspect Windows shines thanks to its Windows Mouse and Keyboard Center and Mouse Manager is also very useful.

Our general recommendation is that you take a good look at what each software can offer before installing it, in general they are all similar although the interface and its accessibility change a lot from each other. And you, what kind of macro program do you use? Leave us a comment.