[KBM] App-specific remapping for keys

[kraoli]

This one is really simple. Therefore only two sentences.

I want to use different key mapping for different programs.
It would be great to be able to set a mappings per program.

[arjunbalgovind]

@kraoli we already have the feature to add shortcut remappings for specific programs. Is that what you are looking for or would you also like the ability to make key remappings for specific programs?

[Nix644]

The ability to make key remappings for specific programs would be great.

[crutkas]

@Nix644 / @kraoli, what is the scenario for remapping only a key for a targeted app instead of a shortcut.

[Nix644]

As an example, If I have Google Chrome open and would like to Ctrl + Tab to switch between tabs quickly I can do that. The problem is, with an application like Discord that I use for work, hitting Ctrl + Tab opens a completely different Discord server entirely. So if I'm accidently clicked into that window without realizing it because I have to switch windows quite often, that happens instead of switching tabs.

Mapping the shortcut Ctrl + Tab to Tilde for example would be very helpful in resolving this issue. And from what I understand, I cannot do that currently.

[saahmedm]

@Nix644 Ctrl + Tab to Tilde can be done with the following mapping:

Ctrl + Tab -> Shift + ` (since this is how you access Tilde)

[Nix644]

@saahmedm Thank you for your reply. I had mentioned Tilde as the key I wanted to map to, but was being a bit lazy in giving the real name. I meant the "Grave" key, I was aware that since Tilde is accessed by Shift --> Grave, the request I had made would already be possible in that instance. Sorry for the confusion!

[saahmedm]

@Nix644, no worries. It looks like you're trying to remap a key (Grave) to a shortcut (ctrl tab) and can't specify a specific application. I think this is def a reasonable use case. @crutkas wdy think?

[crutkas]

key remap for app only could be interesting.

[kraoli]

Sorry I messed up my reply. Had a double post and removed both. So once again.

@arjunbalgovind @crutkas

Basically I want to remap some keys and shortcuts in 3 specific programs. I want to have each setting active only when the program has the focus. So that you can switch program and get the individual mapping automatically for that program.

I have a game for example were I want to map the arrow keys to WASD, because it's not possible in this game. But I don't want that mapping outside of the game of course.

Or I have a program were I like to remap some shortcuts, but also functions that are on 'i' & 'o' keys for zooming in and out. Since these are no shortcuts, I can't do it. Or only globally, which you don't want. :)

Another example are my media keys on the keyboard. I want to remap them for each program as additional 'function key', because I don't need a start/stop/pause media button usually. These 3 keys are great to be mapped per program. And in many programs there not only shortcuts used to do things in this program (e.g. see above).

[phizch]

I also would like to remap keys in specific applications. My use case is Visual Studio. I use a Norwegian keyboard and brackets are inconvenient.
( is shift+8, ) is shift+9,
{ is alt Gr+7, } is alt Gr+0
[ is alt Gr+8, ] is alt Gr+9
< is down by left shift and > is shift+<
/ is shift+7
I use English exclusively in my code, even comments, so I have 3 Norwegian specific keys that I never use. In the top row after p we have å, and in the second row after l we have ø and æ.
Being able to remap the keys to something more sensible would be a lifesaver. Of course I do need those keys when I write things other than code.

This might be a bit off topic, but I'd also like to be able to "switch" keys/key-combos. If I got a dollar for every time I've accidentally pressed F1 instead of ESC I'd be rich. I tried switching F1 and shift+F1, but I only ended up getting "help" for both. The problem is that I need to use Remap shortcuts for shift+F1 to F1 and Remap keys for F1 to shift+F1, and those sections doesn't seem to communicate very well. I assume it goes like this F1->Shift-F1->F1.
I tried mapping shift+b -> a with Remap shortcut, and a -> b and f1 -> shift+b with Remap keys.
Pressing F1 results in a, so it goes F1->shift+b->a.

[tkwa]

This would help me swap ; and \ keys in a LaTeX editor and considerably reduce my hand strain.

[imlit]

Yes, this would be great. As mentioned for outlook - the Ctrl-F to find makes more sense than forward. The shortcut remap in this case works. For outlook the send / receive short cut is F9. It would make more sense to if I could change that to F5, the standard refresh key.

[winkelnp]

what is the current roadmap for this?

[InfinitGit]

Few years on, are any updates on this ever making it to the application? I've seen a lot of duplicates so it seems widely yearned for...

Fingers crossed :)

[strike-digital]

At the risk of adding my voice to all of the others shouting into the void, this would be a lifesaver for me to remap buttons that are currently useless when writing code, but that are useful the rest of the time for writing normally :)

[chaosxeloc]

Another +1 for this feature from me. I am a simple user, but I would like to rebind keys for games that lock certain bindings like WASD or similar, and I don't want to have my keybindings all over the place outside of those applications as I multitask.

[kryptot7]

Also adding my voice in, I would love to see this feature implemented. I'm an artist who wants to use the "1" and "2" keys to zoom in and out of drawing software. Most software blocks me from setting these commands -- they require a modifier key like Ctrl or Alt, which is less convenient.
Having this in PowerToys would be great, as it's simpler and feels more secure than alternatives (being a well-supported Microsoft app and all!).

[InfinitGit]

Also wanted to re-up this!

Can't understand why there would be per-app capabilities for shortcut remaps, but not for key remaps. No reason why one or the other would make more/less sense. In fact the UI used to remap the keys versus the shortcuts looks identical besides the inexplicable lack of app specification.

PLEASE add this feature @devs :)

[ghost]

Would love to have the feature for a work laptop that doesn't have enough extra/unused keys for global remapping.

[TheMasterDingo]

For now i am achieving the requested feature through https://github.com/houmain/keymapper

[218218y]

i am achieving the requested feature from antsoft key manager

[XtroTheArctic]

Some games don't allow remapping for some weird reason. Can we get this app specific feature please?

[LaikeSF]

I would like to add my voice on this one too. A lot of games hard code the Enter key for chat, but how I use my keyboard requires enter to be bound to another function. I do not want to use autohotkey for this sort of function since AHK is blocked by some games. I would very much like to see this feature added in the near future.

[eskerjim]

My use case is that I would like to Send "Ctrl+P" when I hit Space in wmplayer
so that the Spacebar pauses/continues
(like it does in other apps like YouTube)...

Actually, I have been waiting for this for years
(as I have many, many use cases for it)...

[XtroTheArctic]

My use case is that I would like to Send "Ctrl+P" when I hit Space in wmplayer (so that the Spacebar pauses/continues (like it does in other apps like YouTube)...

Very valid and perfect example. Please make this happen.

[jmbeltran07]

Hi, is there any update in this issue?
I would like to map "alt (left)" key to "a" only when I am in a particular app, in this case League of Legends.
Currently I can't do it as the only way to target a specific app is through "Remap a Shortcut" however that functionality won't allow me to remap a single key.

[Baysen]

Throwing in my vote as well. Please, for the love of god, add this feature. I am so tired of AutoHotKey...

[spooks7er]

Another vote for remap keys per app.

My use case:

I want to disable alt+tab completely while playing video games. I use tab and alt in World of warcraft and also other games constantly often times pressing them together. Tab as a acquire target key, and alt as a skill modifier.
I used roccat keyboard that could remap keys, sadly changed to logitech for a smaller formfactor keyboard since already used their mice. Their shit software doesn't allow key remaps.

If Alt+tab shortcut is disabled per app, like it is possible in the keyboard manager, then while using the WASD keys and pressing alt and tab it activates again, possible keyboard manager treats it as a different shortcut but windows does not. And remapping shortcuts like alt+tab+w is impossible in keyboard manager.

Hence if it is possible to remap the TAB key like I used to do in roccat software, then that control may be remapped to that key in the game/app and no alt+tab will be polluting the game any longer.

[Yappoccino27]

I am playing Valorant daily and it bothers me that I need to press Shift + enter to open up all-chat... I am indeed missing for Powertoys to only have Enter go to Shift + Enter in Valorant only.

I am a huge fan of this idea! 🤣