Keyboard Layout Editors

[j7n]

What are good software products for editing keyboard layouts? I am currently looking for one that can make them for Windows 64-bit. Microsoft in its infinite wisdom has made keyboard layout in NT a DLL, which has some implications. An old layout for x86 does not work anymore. It can actually include program code, which can do anything, or refuse to load if it checks a license. Programs are usually limited in what formats they can load and output. They may have a native project format that is neither KBD nor DLL.

I have the following candidates:

"Tastatūras Pianists" part of localization packages "Tildes Birojs" or "WinLogs".

Works under Windows 98 and Windows 2000/XP. Produces layouts only for the active system (either in KBD or DLL format). Can import layouts from a file to set up a new system. Can visually edit a dead key layer and, with some trickery, separate layers for Shift and Caps Lock simply by dragging symbols onto keys. The interface language can be set to English when the application is installed. Does not need to be kept running. Does not work under x64.

"KbdEdit" requires an expensive license.

Works under Windows NT x86 and x64. Has a steeper learning curve. The dead key layer is apparently only editable in a list format. Opens more advanced options. Without a license, produces a bloated, crippled DLL, which requires the service to be kept running and displays a nag screen. The layout does not work under the System login on the welcome screen.

 

EDIT: I have found "Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator"

This program is free. It can take an existing DLL from NT x86 or x64 as a base and generate new DLLs for three architectures at the same time: x86, x64 and ia64 (Itanium). This can be used to strip down KbdEdit created DLLs and make them freely usable, or transfer them between architectures. The dead key editor is still in a list format. Symbols can be typed or pasted from an external character map, which this program doesn't include.

The installation can be done with the following registry entries:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layouts\b0020426]
"Layout File"="kbdx1062.dll"
"Layout Text"="Normal"
"Layout Id"="00e0"

Where 0426 is the language, b002 is a unique ID within the language, and 00e0 is a unique ID within all available layouts. (around 0xcd on Windows 2022, and around 0xaf on Windows 2008 R2). Windows 2022 requires a reboot to show new layouts. I've read reports about them being unusable for others.

Edited November 11, 2024 by j7n
Added MSKLC