I'm the happy new owner of an Apple Keyboard (simply known as that), and for the most part, it works seamlessly with my Windows PC after a simple plug-and-play. It's got such a nice form factor that I'm surprised that there isn't a native PC equivalent. I'm also liking the "new computer smell" emanating from the Keyboard, a scent that transports me back to 1993 when I got my first Mac.

However, I did run into a few quirks: for instance, several PC-specific keys are labeled differently or not found at all on this Apple Keyboard. The good news is you can easily regain that functionality, and here's how — these tips should work for any Mac USB keyboard, including Apple's Wireless Keyboard, and other Mac-friendly brands like MacAlly and Kensington.

First, get SharpKeys. This utility lets you easily remap keys. For example, the Windows key is mapped to Command on a Mac keyboard, and the Alt key is mapped to Option. You can switch them around by doing this:

  • Open SharpKeys.
     
  • Click "Add". (I've this odd problem where SharpKeys repeatedly refreshes the window upon opening, but it goes away after a few seconds.)
     
  • On the left-hand side, click "Type Key" and press your left Windows key. It should register it as "Special: Left Windows (EO_5B)". Click "OK".
     
  • On the right-hand side, scroll down the list (since Alt isn't recognized when you type it), and select "Special: Left Alt (00_38)".
     
  • Click "OK", and it'll show your new key remapping in the list.
     
  • Make sure to repeat this process in reverse, so that Windows and Alt are mapped both ways to each other — otherwise, you'll end up with two left Windows or Alt keys.
     
  • Using the same steps, enter additional key remappings such as using the Apple Keyboard's extra F13-F19 keys to do special things like change the volume level. You can also add the right Windows and Alt keys, of course — I nary use them.
     
  • When it looks like you've got a list you're happy with, click "Write to Registry" and be sure to log out and back in, or restart. You should notice the changes after you do that.

Here's what my current keymappings are, and I'll likely tweak them further as time goes by:

Torley's SharpKeys setup

And voila! You should have both the benefits of an elegant Apple Keyboard and the key mapping you find most useful. Wasn't that fun? :)

If that wasn't enough knowhow for you, also see:

Do you own an Apple Keyboard? Let me know what you think about it.

15 Responses to “Make your Apple Keyboard work better with a Windows PC”

  1. Ener Hax Says:
    April 26th, 2008 at 8:36 AM PDT

    nice links for the sharpkeys dealio. i remember reading in some flash book years ago about using apple keyboards with pcs. i understand they are supposed to just have a really wonderful key feel. i think you have encouraged me to follow suite and try one too! (now if i could somehow move my birthday to be in a month, i would be so set for this)

    you said you were happy with it, but do tell us how you enjoy using it after a week or so. i am curious on your overall feeling of it, there may be some intangible elements that make it a joy to use (plus is it less noisy, or more solid, or do your fingers and knuckles feel a little diff? - sorry, background in physical science and all . . .) :)

  2. Kara Spengler Says:
    April 26th, 2008 at 11:50 AM PDT

    I have one of their bluetooth keyboards on my iMac and the routine is probably pretty similar for a bluetooth-enabled PC. It is the first keyboard I have had and I like the novelty of being able to pick up my keyboard and type from across the room.

  3. Dario Darrow Says:
    April 26th, 2008 at 3:12 PM PDT

    Thanks Torley :) Now i can swap my keys for when (in emergencies) I have to use bootcamp… as SL on MacOS is a total freezefest right now (Nvidia issues) i also cant tp or cross sims without getting logged out 90% of the time :/

  4. Josh Says:
    April 26th, 2008 at 8:29 PM PDT

    Using an Apple Keyboard with your Windows machine? Sacrilege!

  5. Bobsas Silverspar Says:
    April 27th, 2008 at 5:52 AM PDT

    Dear Torley-
    I love your newfound enthusiasm for all things Apple. I have been a loyal Apple user and evangelist since the mid late eighties. UNTIL SL! I bought a new apple notebook to run SL and when I tried to run SL it was simply no dice. Apple support went from my usual customer friendly longtime partner to a total horror show. No one knew anything …. I subsequently found that only a late model Macbook Pro will run SL with any sort of reliability (my Mac PowerPC desktops are still fine of course). But after the way I was treated I went out and bought a Dell XPS 1730 and haven't looked back …

  6. Bobsas Silverspar Says:
    April 27th, 2008 at 5:58 AM PDT

    P.S. Torley you Awesominify my Amplitude!

  7. Torley Says:
    April 27th, 2008 at 9:22 AM PDT

    @Ener: Welcome! I wouldn't buy an Apple Keyboard without trying it out firsthand as I did. But I did, liked, and now it's in my hands. I'll keep using it and likely do a followup. it's a lot quieter than my previous CC2000, and the keys are very low-impact which is pleasant. Feels almost Star Trek-ish at times because it's so flat!

    @Kara: Good to know!

    @Dario: Cool beans, and you're welcome. Sorry to hear about SL on Mac issues. :\

    @Josh: If only a Windows-oriented manufacurer had come up with the Apple Keyboard first, eh? ;)

    @Bobsas: Thanks for sharing with me. Unfortunate to hear that, and it's frustrating when there's a lack of knowledge about what clearly is an upsetting problem. SL's system requirements are pretty beefy and I hope in the future, as computer technology continues to advance quickly, that just about any mass-market PC or Mac will run Second Life as well as they can run word procesors today. Hehe! :D

  8. Kara Spengler Says:
    April 27th, 2008 at 2:44 PM PDT

    @Torley Re-reading what I said I made a thinko, I meant to say my first *wireless* keyboard …. I have been using Apple keyboards since the Apple ][. I agree with you, the feel of the aluminum keyboards is great compared to most keyboards out there, wish I could use it at work.

  9. Ari Blackthorne Says:
    May 1st, 2008 at 10:37 AM PDT

    Oman oh man, Torley hits the big time!
    Apple store! w00t! :)

    Hey, I have both PC and Mac. I use Sony Vegas, too. ;)

    But man-o-man, whatever you do, don't dare touch Final Cut Pro. It's not available on the PC. And if you do… I see a Mac-Head in the works and TorleyTutes that will rock-on even more than they do now! :)

    Hey, I'm fortunate though - as a Motion Media and Graphic Designer, I get to sit at a Mac all day :p

  10. Edward Kyomoon Says:
    May 2nd, 2008 at 10:09 AM PDT

    hey Torley, i herd U liek teh applez….
    Thanks for this tip!!! this little program worked perfectly on a MacBook Pro running Vista via bootcamp. omg this is like the greatest thing that ever happened to windoz-on-mac! haa! I've been looking for this functionality ever since i picked up Vista last August. switching the CTRL and CMD keys makes vista 'feel' more like OSX from a tactile standpoint. I've been a Mac user for many moons using pro audio apps like ProTools, Digital Performer and Logic since OS 7. i only run Vista for SL because, well, it simply runs SL better than OSX. the CMD key (aka the Apple Key) is one of he most useful keys while using OSX, that's why they put two of 'em on every keyboard! but it becomes the most useless key under Vista giving you twice as much access to the start menu. makes me wonder how many times i need to 'start' windoz? o.O Until now i had to remind myself "ok i'm running a PC not a Mac, use CTRL not CMD!!!"
    now most of my keyboard shortcuts are the same on both operating systems freeing my mind for more creative applications. So thx Torley for once again enhancing my computering experiences! :D

    ok, so now how do i get the taskbar to sit at the top of the screen? o.O

  11. Colin Devroe Says:
    May 2nd, 2008 at 6:47 PM PDT

    I have one of these keyboards for my Macintosh, but I also have a PC sitting around that I don't have a keyboard for. I don't know why, but I never thought about using it on the PC. Now I will, thanks for the tips!

  12. Torley Says:
    May 4th, 2008 at 7:20 AM PDT

    @Kara: Ah! Got it.

    @Ari: Hehe, kewl. And I so wish iLife was available on Windows too… I use Veggie Toolkit's MultiRender for Sony Vegas, which saves me loads of time, but think FCP's Compressor looks really compelling. I'd like to see more of your art!

    @Edward: Oh wow, I remember using Performer before it had "Digital" in the name, back in… what was it… early 90s! I always thought "Mark of the Unicorn" was a kewl name. You are welcome!

    @Colin: AHH happy I could help! =D

  13. Ari Blackthorne Says:
    May 4th, 2008 at 1:23 PM PDT

    Hey, thank you, Torley :)

    Let's see if this works…

  14. Ari Blackthorne Says:
    May 4th, 2008 at 1:26 PM PDT

    Okay - didn't think it would (tried the ole 'embed') LOL

    here are a couple links:
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xg0-3Brp2QI
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mw5Cby0kyVA
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=v0laoe5qEIY

  15. Torley Says:
    May 11th, 2008 at 8:32 AM PDT

    *checks out links* Thanks Ari!

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