Keyboard Utilities for Windows

Windows Keyboard Utilities

Windows has several keyboard utilities that can assist users who have difficulty with using the keyboard. These utilities include:

Sticky Keys
Filter Keys
Toggle Keys
Mouse Keys
Alternate Keyboard Layouts

Sticky Keys

This feature enables a user to press one or more modifier keys such as CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, or the Windows key. The modifier keys remain on until a non-modifier key is pressed.

This feature can be turned on by pressing the left shift key 5 times. The feature can be turned off by pressing more than one modifier key at the same time.

Note: The computer will make sounds when this feature is turned on or off.

This feature can also be turned on via the Ease of Access Center in the Control Panel.

Select Control Panel from the Start Menu.
Select Ease of Access Center from the Control Panel window.
Select Make the keyboard easier to use.

Check the box next to Turn on Sticky Keys checkbox.
Select Set up Sticky Keys to change the settings.

Filter Keys

This feature filters out brief or repeated keystrokes. The amount of filtering can be adjusted.

This feature can be turned on by holding down the right Shift key for 8 seconds or via the Ease of Access Center in the Control Panel.

Select Control Panel from the Start Menu.
Select Ease of Access Center from the Control Panel window.
Select Make the keyboard easier to use.

Check the box next to Turn on Filter Keys checkbox.
Select Set up Filter Keys to change the settings.

Toggle Keys

This feature alerts the user via a sound every time the CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK keys are pressed.

This feature can be turned on by holding down the Num Lock key for 8 seconds or via the Ease of Access Center in the Control Panel.

Select Control Panel from the Start Menu.
Select Ease of Access Center from the Control Panel window.
Select Make the keyboard easier to use.

Check the box next to Turn on Toggle Keys checkbox.
Select Set up Toggle Keys to change the settings.

Mouse Keys

This feature allows the user to use the NUM PAD on the keyboard to move the mouse pointer around the screen.

Mouse Keys can do the following mouse functions via keys on the NUM Pad.

Description	Key
Move Up	8
Move Down	2
Move Left	4
Move Right	6
Move Diagonally Up and Left	7
Move Diagonally Up and Right	9
Move Diagonally Down and Left	1
Move Diagonally Down and Right	3
Left Mouse Click	5
Double Left Click	+
Right Click	- then 5
Double Right Click	- then +

This utility can be turned on by pressing LeftAlt + LeftShift + NumLock or via the Ease of Access Center in the Control Panel.

Select Control Panel from the Start Menu.
Select Ease of Access Center from the Control Panel window.
Select Make the keyboard easier to use.

Check the box next to Turn on Mouse Keys checkbox.
Select Set up Mouse Keys to change the settings.

Alternative Keyboard Layouts

There are few alternate keyboard layouts, built into Windows, which may be helpful for users who have limited mobility of one or both hands.

Dvorak Layout

The Dvorak keyboard layout can reduce the amount of reaching a user will need to do to type since the keys are arranged so the most used keys are in the center of the home row.

Two-Handed Dvorak

This keyboard layout is designed for use with both hands.

Dvorak Right Handed

This keyboard layout is designed for use with just the right hand.

Dvorak Left Handed

This keyboard layout is designed for use with just the left hand.

Changing Keyboard Layouts

Select Control Panel from the Start Menu.
Select Ease of Access Center from the Control Panel window.
Select Make the keyboard easier to use.
Select Add a Dvorak keyboard and change other input settings.
Select the Change keyboards button.
Select the Add button.
Select the Keyboard Layout/IME checkbox
From the Keyboard Layout/IME list box select the desired layout: United States Dvorak, United States Dvorak for Left Hand, or United States Dvorak for Right Hand.
Select OK four times to close the dialog boxes.

Use the Left Alt + Shift keys to switch among the keyboard layouts.