Map CAPS Lock to Control Key in Windows

Windows version: 10

If you use the control keys a lot for keyboard shortcuts, it makes sense to have the control key where the caps lock key is. Why? Because while the fingers are resting in the home position (ASDF row), you have the pinky finger under the “A” key and right beside it will be the “Control” key. It’s easy on the pinky and ergonomic.

The early keyboards used to have the Control Key beside A: http://xahlee.info/kbd/keyboard_ctrl_vs_capslock_position.html

Here are three ways I recommend (I prefer the registry edit):

Both Power Toys and Ctrl2Cap are fine in my opinion as both are officially listed on the Microsoft sites.

However I like the registry edit solution better as there is no software to install and it’s just a single line of edit. I used to be scared editing the Registry Editor but the procedure below is tested and safe. Just carefully type in the values (you won’t be able to copy/paste them).

1. Open the Registry Editor, you can hit the “Windows” key and start typing regedit and it will show you suggestions for opening the Registry Editor:

2. Navigate to the entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

3. Right-click “Keyboard Layout” and add a new “Binary Value” with name: Scancode Map

4. Type in the following values:

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 1d 00 3a 00 00 00 00 00

You can’t copy / paste them, so type them in carefully 😊

5. Click OK, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Your CAPS Lock key should now be mapped to the Controls Key.

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