Forum Discussion
Create a custom keyboard layout / language in WIN11
Problem: I would like to create a custom keyboard layout / language.
Long explanation:
Laptop. I have a physical US keyboard layout. I type 90% in english, occasionally in German and Russian, grew up on a QWERTZ. I would like the option to have a custom keyboard layout where Z and Y is switched, the $ is moved from "4" to "|" and where Alt+: shortcut gives out Ä (and Ö and Ü respectively with " and {).
This would allow me to type in English on QWERTZ how I'm used to, and easily type in Germany using Ä, Ö, Ü withouth needing to switch layout. For Russian I'd still need to switch.
Attempted fixes:
MSCKLC v1.4: Doesn't work on WIN11 natively. Needs .NET3.5. I install .NET3.5 which gets blocked by WIN installer. I put a script in powershell to enable the .NET3.5 installation but it doesn't work.
PowerToys: Doesn't allow to create a custom keyboard layout. If I remap the keys to how I want to, the Ä shortcut still doesn't work on US layout furthermore due to the Y <-> Z switch, if I switch to Russian it's all messed up.
2 Replies
MSKLC is the official Microsoft tool to create custom layouts, but it is no longer officially supported and doesn't run easily on Windows 11. However, with some tweaks.
If you want to install additional keyboard layouts, you can do so by following this guide: https://windowsreport.com/keyboard-layout-windows-11/
But creating an entirely new layout? I am not sure if that is possible.
