Over the last few days I’ve been finding myself using a keyboard designed for Windows users on my Mac. The reason behind such a change was that my MacBook Pro’s keyboard was causing wrist pain. The shallow key travel of the MacBook’s keyboard is partly to blame.
I just so happened to have an AmazonBasics wired keyboard available thanks to my recent Hackintosh build, so I decided to use it with my Mac. Immediately, I could sense relief in my wrists, but because this was a keyboard designed for Windows and not for Mac, the switch presented a whole new problem.
Instead of the friendly ⌃, ⌥, and ⌘ keys, I was presented with Control, Windows, and Alt keys. All of the modifier keys on a Windows keyboard map 1:1 with the keys on a Mac from a functionality standpoint. For example, the Control (⌃) key does the same thing on a Mac that it does on Windows, the Option (⌥) key on Mac does the same thing as the Alt key on Windows, and the Command (⌘) key on Mac does the same thing as the Windows key.
It’s the order not the function
The problem isn’t the function of the keys, because as we discussed, from a pure functionality standpoint, the modifier keys (Control, Option, Command) all map 1:1. The problem stems from their arrangement on the keyboard.
Modifier key arrangement differences between Mac and Windows:
Macintosh: ⌃ | ⌥ | ⌘
Windows: ⌃ | ⌘ | ⌥
Such a little thing, the swapping of the Command and Option keys, can cause trouble for someone who’s been typing on a Mac for years. Fortunately, there is a dead-simple fix for this issue.
Video walkthrough
How to remap modifier keys in OS X
Step 1: Open System Preferences → Keyboard → Modifier Keys.
Step 2: Select your third-party Windows keyboard via the Select keyboard drop down box.
Step 3: For the Option (⌥) Key setting, select ⌘ Command.
Step 4: For the Command (⌘) Key setting, select (⌥) Option.
Step 5: Click OK and close System Preferences.
The bottom line is that there are plenty of great keyboards out there that are designed to be used on Windows machines. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to use a great keyboard just because it was originally designed for Windows. Take advantage of the provision to remap modifier keys inside of OS X’s System Preferences. In the end, it’ll save time, frustration, and keep you from having to retrain what may be years of muscle memory.
Keyboard recommendations
The AmazonBasics wired keyboard is decent for how much it costs, but I’m a fan of mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX Brown switches. These switches produce a tactile “clicky” effect without being too loud. My favorite Cherry MX Brown keyboard is from Das Keyboard. Thankfully, Das Keyboard makes versions of its keyboards for both Windows and Mac users.
For more on keyboards, be sure to have a look at Jeremy’s keyboard roundup. What type of keyboard do you use with your Mac?
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
I use the Matias Tactile Pro keyboard. While it may be considered noisy by some, I learned how to type on an Olivetti Underwood Lettera 22 typewriter which required hard pressure, so this is a non-issue for me.
I’ve been wanting to try that one. It’s definitely on my to do list. Does that use Blue switches?
I use an old IBM PS/2 keyboard with a USB adapter. It, by far, has the best action and feel for me. It was designed for professional typists and data entry clerks, so its comfort is hard to beat. And it’s super-robust – I’ve been using it for 25 years. They’re readily available on the used market.
Yeah, I like those keyboards. Built like tanks, and a really satisfying click. Beats chiclet keyboards many times over, especially for hands and wrists with a lot of miles on them.
Ah finally, someone else who has shared my pain! Have been using PC and gaming keyboards on my Mac or MacBooks for years, and constantly change them because to date, no one has made the perfect keyboard, although the forthcoming Logitech G610 (monochrome & Cherry Brown key equipped version of their high end G810) looks like a good contender, being backlit, professional in design, and with nicely laid out media controls.
I eventually gave up on Apple after the abortion that is the MacBook (2015 USB-C equipped thing) and now use a Surface Pro 4 with a Logitech K750 solar keyboard at the desk, and K810 when on the go.
Anyway, prior to this, when on the Mac, I used a great utility called USB Overdrive that gives you more control over keymapping – well worth it.
“…my MacBook Pro’s keyboard was causing wrist pain.”
Good of you to us an alternative keyboard, if prolonged use would cause RSI it may very well be the end of your current profession.
Two years ago, I had such bad wrist pain that I thought I _would_ have to find another line of work. Needless to say, a mechanical keyboard saved me. Everyone should own one, and switch it up from time to time. RSI is no joke.
Indeed. I’ve seen colleagues suffering from RSI and it turned out to be a vastly underestimated issue on my part. People really should ‘take notice’.
my father uses a wrist rest… that works for him…
But if changing the keyboard helps, then i guess that works too :-)
But if you are using a mac — maybe give your hands a rest and try speech to text :-)
I switched to the Dvorak layout. It has greatly reduced / eliminated issues I had with RSI. The first two weeks of trying to type on the new layout were hell, but now I’m much faster than I ever was on qwerty.
I would’ve liked to see a way to change the functions of the f-keys on top. So far I haven’t been able to copy the brightness, mission control, … keys on my Windows keyboard?
Anyway, I use an Apple Wired Keyboard. I’m a computer science student so I do quite a lot of typing and haven’t had any issues thusfar.
You should consider using the Mac tool Karabiner. It’s amazing and you can set up your keyboard however you like to. It helps to be pretty technical and OK with writing XML config scripts that are used by that tool.
While I haven’t really read it, this may be of use to you:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202676
I’d like to know how to get the Home and End key functions in Word 2016 for Windows while using it inside Parallels on my Macbook. I cannot figure that one out. I welcome any helpful tips! Thanks.
Karabiner gives you complete control in setting up your keyboard. http://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/
After switching the assignment of the keys in the preferences, wouldn’t it be possible to switch the actual keys on the keyboard so that they reflect the mapping? Or would that break the keyboard?
You could with a key remover I suppose. But that is generally reserved for mechanical keyboards.
As Jeff mentioned, you probably can pop the key-covers off, and from the look of the keys on the Amazon Basics keybaord, I’d be surprised if that didn’t work. The only thing you have to watch for on Windows keyboards is that some ship with different sized Windows key and Alt/Option key, so they physically won’t fit if swapped.
I share your concern, because when I first switched over to a Mac and tried to use a PC keyboard, I found my mind starting to go in circles trying to remember “This is equivalent to that, no that is equivalent to this.” Solution? I put dot labels on my PC keys to indicate the Mac keys. Now my confusion is gone. I’ve created a Word file you can use to print out the labels and put them on your keys. I also have a photo of my keyboard to show you what it looks like. I re-print the labels and replace the old ones every few days so they stay hygienic and look new. With labels, you don’t have to pop any keys off. Contact me at ed-tuggy at sti.net.
The last time I tried to do this kind of modification, I discovered that F11 and F12 could not be mapped correctly. They serve an OS function? Anyway, did the Windows keyboard allow use of all Function keys, including F11 and F12? Thanks..
I like most of your articles @jeffBenjam
I take this a notch further. Any way to reassign keys for an iOS keyboard? If you don’t type much, using an iOS bluetooth keyboard like the Logitech Keys-to-go saves a ton of desk space plus… spillproof! The problem is that iOS keyboards don’t have an Esc key, which messes up many shortcuts.
I have the exact same question as you and I can’t even find an open thread about it anywhere on the internet. I guess I’ll start one.
I have a ttesport by thermaltake keyboard; which has a lot of buttons that involve locking the screen for example. Is there a simple program like “joystick mapper” but for a keyboard?
Awesome thanks. Have been struggling with the Logitech software for years, which doesn’t really work very well, to do this exact thing. This works better, and no yuk software to install. Thanks heaps
I use a WASD Code keyboard with Cherry MX Blue (tactile click) keys and Red O-Ring sound dampeners. Perfect keyboard!!! Some rudimentary hardware remapping for Macs possible via the keyboard DIP switches. Extensive software remapping on a Mac with Karabiner.
Just what I was looking for. Thanks for this article!
Thank you. this has been bugging me for sometime and the Microsoft keyboard drivers were not helping.
Brilliant! I just got a brand-spanking-new MacBook Pro at work, but did not want to give up my wireless ergonomic keyboard (WHEN is Apple going to design an ergo keyboard?!). But the ctrl key didn’t work at ALL – this made everything functional, and it won’t be a problem when I’m at home without the wifi keyboard!
Any idea on how to do it on an iPad?
I ended up having to swap Control and Command with my CoolerMaster MasterKeys Pro L White
Great Top Tip. Now I can use my keyboard with no issue.
Thanks for the video step by step work through. This was very helpful.
Perfect! Just what I was looking for! :)
I just bought an amazing windows-layout folding keyboard for my ipad, but I don’t see a way to reverse the mapping on ios. Do you know of any?
Thank you for this tip I was about to go crazy!
Thank you! I’m borrowing a Logitech wireless and was getting so frustrated at the option/command situation. This turned out to be the perfect fix. :D
Thanks so much! This was exactly what I needed!
This is awesome. Thanks for saving me from buying yet another keyboard. I love my ergonomic Microsoft keyboard!