Windows
On Windows, the easiest path is PowerToys Keyboard Manager. If you want a system-wide remap for Caps Lock that does not depend on PowerToys running in the background, you can use the registry-based Scancode Map approach below.
On Windows, choose either PowerToys or the registry route.
PowerToys Keyboard Manager
This is the easiest route if you want a graphical UI and expect to tweak mappings again later.
Advantages
- It is the quickest setup path and easy to edit later from a graphical settings screen.
- It can remap a key to another key or even to a shortcut, not only to another physical key position.
- Remaps apply immediately after you confirm them.
What to keep in mind
- PowerToys must keep running in the background or the remap stops applying.
- Keyboard Manager does not work on the Windows sign-in screen or other password prompts.
- Modifier-key remaps can still interfere with some gestures, special keys, or elevated apps.
Registry-based Scancode Map
This route is better when you want a system-level remap that works without PowerToys and can stay active on sign-in screens too.
Advantages
- It gives you a system-wide remap without depending on PowerToys.
- It does not depend on keeping a background utility running.
- The remap and revert files are easy to archive so you can reproduce or undo the setup later.
What to keep in mind
- It is less convenient than a GUI and usually needs sign-out or a restart before it is fully applied.
- It only remaps physical key positions, so it is less flexible than PowerToys for shortcut-style remaps.
- Changing Right Alt can affect multilingual input behavior on some non-English keyboard layouts.
Step by step
1. Choose the key swaps you want below
Use the generator to decide what each physical position should send instead. The preview updates immediately so you can inspect the generated file before downloading it.
2. Download both the remap and revert files
Keep the revert file next to the remap file. That way you can undo the change quickly even if the new layout feels wrong right away.
3. Apply the remap file with administrator approval
Open the generated .reg file and allow Windows to merge it into the registry. Because this changes the system keyboard layout, administrator confirmation is expected.
4. Sign out or restart Windows, then test it
After Windows reloads the keyboard layout, test the new positions in your usual apps first. If you also care about the sign-in path, test that directly in your environment. If needed, run the revert file and restart again.
Registry remap file generator
Registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
Generated remap file
nocapslock-remap.reg
Choose at least one different target to generate a remap file.
Revert file
nocapslock-revert.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=-
Notes
- Review the generated preview before downloading it if you want to double-check the scan code pairs by hand.
- If you still need Caps Lock sometimes, keep it on another key you rarely use instead of removing it completely.
References