7 votes

How can I reproduce my somewhat complicated Linux keymappings on Windows 10?

I am stuck on Windows 10 for the time being, and I wish to make it function similarly to the arrangement I have on Linux, using xcape and xmodmap. This is what I need:

  1. Caps sends Escape on tap and Control on hold
  2. Tab sends Tab on tap and Alt/Meta on hold
  3. Escape sends Caps (I rarely use this one).

I find this setup extremely comfortable. Is there a way to achieve this on Windows (that a layman like myself could do?).

21 comments

  1. thykka
    Link
    AutoHotKey is probably your best choice, unless you're willing to get a keyboard that supports QMK. In addition to tap/hold binds, QMK supports a whole bunch of other neat features, such as...

    AutoHotKey is probably your best choice, unless you're willing to get a keyboard that supports QMK. In addition to tap/hold binds, QMK supports a whole bunch of other neat features, such as layers, auto shift (press key for lowercase, press and hold for uppercase), tap dance, quick macros, unicode input and mouse keys. It even has an option to turn your keyboard into a MIDI device, and if your keyboard has the hardware, it allows configuring rotary encoders, stenography or built-in displays.

    7 votes
  2. [2]
    vord
    Link
    If you're on Pro, run a Linux distro on a hypervisor and only drop out when no other option is available. Also WSL us pretty nice for CLI usage. But as others have said, Autohotkey is likely your...

    If you're on Pro, run a Linux distro on a hypervisor and only drop out when no other option is available. Also WSL us pretty nice for CLI usage.

    But as others have said, Autohotkey is likely your best bet. It is fairly powerful, and you can do the basics like you mentioned in an evening.

    2 votes
  3. [15]
    cstby
    Link
    Came here to say Autohotkey. I'm curious: why are you stuck on Windows for now?

    Came here to say Autohotkey. I'm curious: why are you stuck on Windows for now?

    2 votes
    1. [14]
      mrbig
      Link Parent
      I decided to create a YouTube channel and, with all due respect, video editing on Linux sucks balls.

      I decided to create a YouTube channel and, with all due respect, video editing on Linux sucks balls.

      2 votes
      1. [12]
        ohyran
        Link Parent
        See here I can help: Natron, Kdenlive, Blender are my go-tos Kdenlive for normal cutting-fixing and editing and quick transitions etc - Natron and Blender for more indepth stuff. All available in...

        See here I can help: Natron, Kdenlive, Blender are my go-tos

        Kdenlive for normal cutting-fixing and editing and quick transitions etc - Natron and Blender for more indepth stuff. All available in most repos if not, on flathub

        1 vote
        1. [11]
          mrbig
          Link Parent
          I’m a film major. I edited professionally for more than 15 years. I’m used to a degree of control, integration, stability, and features that is unparalleled in the FOSS world. That said, Windows...

          I’m a film major. I edited professionally for more than 15 years. I’m used to a degree of control, integration, stability, and features that is unparalleled in the FOSS world.

          That said, Windows is such a colossal pain in the ass that I may as well make that compromise.

          1 vote
          1. [10]
            ohyran
            Link Parent
            I've only done smaller edits so you are in another league than me here :) OH OH check out Natron, Blender and (I forgot this one) Lightworks - again I don't know the exact needs for you so don't...

            I've only done smaller edits so you are in another league than me here :) OH OH check out Natron, Blender and (I forgot this one) Lightworks - again I don't know the exact needs for you so don't know if they will fit but give them a sporting chance.

            It's a classic chicken and egg issue - what gets made is what people want to make. So videoeditors for example are often made for casual editing instead of professional grade editing since that is the understood need. It's when those projects become good enough to rival the proprietary projects that they get money enough to actually keep that position. So Blender, Krita, VLC etc can compete but to get to that point contributors have to have a sporting chance to even know whats needed.

            1 vote
            1. [9]
              mrbig
              (edited )
              Link Parent
              I personally believe that the whole software chain involved in professional video production is so complex, sophisticated, and time sensitive that the FOSS community is essentially unfit to pose a...

              I personally believe that the whole software chain involved in professional video production is so complex, sophisticated, and time sensitive that the FOSS community is essentially unfit to pose a threat to for profit companies unless there’s a radical change in terms of policy, society and/or technological advancements.

              Sadly, the programs you mention don’t come even close. Some wouldn’t even be considered video editing programs in a professional setting.

              1. [8]
                ohyran
                Link Parent
                Considering the complexities involved in applications in other areas I would have to disagree. I think its merely a lack of insight or interest in video editing software. Other areas with...

                Considering the complexities involved in applications in other areas I would have to disagree. I think its merely a lack of insight or interest in video editing software.
                Other areas with similarly complex software (that to be fair was also described as "too complex for FOSS") have already been done, won the awards and got the tshirts.

                The issue is that there has to be two things - the cross over between capacity of making the software, and the drive to do it and then the growth that takes it out of the garage and in to pro studios.

                Also I just checked, movies like Wolf of Wallstreet used Lightworks - and DaVinci resolve is also available for Linux. These are the movies made with it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DaVinci_Resolve#Film

                Not saying you don't have the right to pick whatever environment you want... and Kdenlive is for casual users, Blender is a 3D editor first and foremost but perhaps you haven't dug deep enough in the toychest of what is available.

                AGAIN THOUGH - I am not a video editor, you know best here and if I say something that is nonsense its because of ignorance and not malice.

                1 vote
                1. [7]
                  mrbig
                  Link Parent
                  Yeah, no dude. None of the programs you mentioned can be considered serious competition. DaVinci is the best of the bunch but runs like shit on Linux and is painful to install.

                  Yeah, no dude. None of the programs you mentioned can be considered serious competition. DaVinci is the best of the bunch but runs like shit on Linux and is painful to install.

                  1. [3]
                    Comment deleted by author
                    Link Parent
                    1. [2]
                      mrbig
                      (edited )
                      Link Parent
                      I believe that’s an incorrect assumption. Intention to compete is not a requirement for competition. Two or more things can become related in a competitive fashion regardless of the intentions of...

                      "Competition" is only a useful concept when different tools are products and are trying to gain market share

                      I believe that’s an incorrect assumption. Intention to compete is not a requirement for competition. Two or more things can become related in a competitive fashion regardless of the intentions of their creators, and such kind of competition is frequently relevant in itself (and therefore useful as the object of an argument).

                      1. [2]
                        Comment deleted by author
                        Link Parent
                        1. mrbig
                          Link Parent
                          I never said they were not useful. They’re just not suitable to my needs, and that of most professionals.

                          I never said they were not useful. They’re just not suitable to my needs, and that of most professionals.

                  2. [4]
                    ohyran
                    Link Parent
                    ok... fair enough. I mean but have you tried Da Vinci resolve? Its in my repos.

                    ok... fair enough.

                    I mean but have you tried Da Vinci resolve? Its in my repos.

                    1 vote
                    1. mrbig
                      Link Parent
                      Yes I have tried Resolve.

                      Yes I have tried Resolve.

                    2. [3]
                      Comment deleted by author
                      Link Parent
                      1. [2]
                        ohyran
                        Link Parent
                        Good point - will lay off, sry MrBig

                        Good point - will lay off, sry MrBig

                        1 vote
                        1. mrbig
                          Link Parent
                          Hey, it’s all good my friend!

                          Hey, it’s all good my friend!

  4. [2]
    ohyran
    Link
    The best I could find was this https://beebom.com/how-remap-keyboard-windows-10/ But I am just not smart enough to use Windows so this is just a hip-shot from me.

    The best I could find was this https://beebom.com/how-remap-keyboard-windows-10/

    But I am just not smart enough to use Windows so this is just a hip-shot from me.

    1 vote
    1. mrbig
      Link Parent
      I think I'd end up having to learn autohotkey.

      I think I'd end up having to learn autohotkey.

      1 vote
  5. Grendel
    Link
    You could consider getting a keyboard that's compatible with QMK firmware. Then you could set those and it would store them in the keyboard and it would work with any computer or OS.

    You could consider getting a keyboard that's compatible with QMK firmware. Then you could set those and it would store them in the keyboard and it would work with any computer or OS.

    1 vote