If a key on your keyboard is broken, stuck, or not working, you don’t need to replace the keyboard immediately.
You can remap any key to another key in Windows using Microsoft’s official PowerToys tool.
This guide shows how to reassign keyboard keys and shortcuts step-by-step.
📥 Download Microsoft PowerToys (Official)
What is Key Remapping?
Key remapping means assigning one key’s function to another key.
Example:
- Your O key is broken
- You assign O to Left Alt key
- Pressing Left Alt now types O
This keeps your keyboard usable without repair.
Step 1 — Install PowerToys
- Download PowerToys from Microsoft Store
- Install normally
- Open PowerToys
Click Open Settings to access features.
Step 2 — Enable Keyboard Manager
Inside PowerToys:
- Select Keyboard Manager
- Turn ON the toggle
This activates remapping tools.
Step 3 — Remap a Broken Key
- Click Remap a key
- Click the + button
- Left column → key you press
- Right column → key you want it to act as
Example:
- Left Alt → O
Click OK.
Press Continue Anyway.
Remap is active instantly.
Remove a Remap Later
Open Keyboard Manager again.
Click Delete on the mapping.
Settings return to normal.
Remap Keyboard Shortcuts
You can also remap shortcut combinations.
Useful if a shortcut is hard to reach.
Example
Change Ctrl+C to another combo.
- Click Remap a shortcut
- Add new shortcut
- Select old shortcut
- Select new shortcut
- Click OK
Now the new combo performs copy.
Why Use PowerToys Instead of Third-Party Tools?
- Official Microsoft app
- Safe and secure
- No ads
- No spyware
- Works on Windows 10 & 11
- Free forever
Performance Impact
PowerToys runs in the background with minimal resource usage.
It does not slow your PC.
Troubleshooting
- Remap not working → restart PowerToys
- Keys behaving weird → remove duplicate remaps
- Shortcut conflict → choose different combo
- PowerToys closed → remap disabled
FAQs
Does this damage keyboard?
No.
Works on laptops?
Yes.
Can I remap multiple keys?
Yes.
Is it reversible?
100% reversible.
Final Result
Your keyboard is fully usable again even if keys are broken.
PowerToys gives you total control over keyboard behavior.
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