Windows: Cant Set Dvorak Layout Hotkeys?

Windows: Can't Set Dvorak Layout Hotkeys?

If you're a Windows user who prefers the Dvorak keyboard layout, you might have encountered an issue when trying to set hotkeys for switching between keyboard layouts. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the problem and possible solutions.

Context

The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard was designed by August Dvorak and his brother-in-law William Dealey in 1936 as an alternative to the more commonly used QWERTY layout. The Dvorak layout aims to place the most commonly used keys under the strongest fingers, reducing finger motion and increasing typing speed and efficiency. However, setting hotkeys for switching between keyboard layouts in Windows can be challenging.

The Problem

When trying to set hotkeys for switching between keyboard layouts in Windows, users might encounter the following issue: after setting the hotkeys, they only work for switching to the US layout, not the Dvorak layout. This issue occurs because the "inputLanguageHotkeys" setting in the Windows Registry only works for the US layout.

Possible Solutions

There are several possible solutions to this problem. Here are some of them:

1. Use a third-party application: There are several third-party applications that allow you to set hotkeys for switching between keyboard layouts, such as Keyboard Layout Editor or AutoHotkey.
2. Edit the Windows Registry: You can edit the Windows Registry to make the "inputLanguageHotkeys" setting work for the Dvorak layout. However, this requires advanced knowledge of the Windows Registry and should be done with caution.
3. Use a different version of Windows: This issue only occurs in certain versions of Windows. If you're using a version that's affected by this issue, you might want to consider upgrading to a different version.

Setting Hotkeys with a Third-Party Application

Using a third-party application is the easiest and safest solution. Here's how to set hotkeys for switching between keyboard layouts using Keyboard Layout Editor:

1. Download and install Keyboard Layout Editor from here.
2. Create a new layout based on the Dvorak layout.
3. Add a hotkey for switching to the Dvorak layout.
4. Save the layout and switch to it in Windows.

Editing the Windows Registry

Editing the Windows Registry is a more advanced solution and should only be done by experienced users. Here's how to make the "inputLanguageHotkeys" setting work for the Dvorak layout:

1. Press Win + R and type "regedit" to open the Windows Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to "HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\Control Panel\Input Method".
3. Right-click on "Input Method" and select "New" > "Key". Name the new key "Dvorak".
4. Right-click on the new key and select "New" > "String Value". Name the new value "Hotkeys".
5. Double-click on "Hotkeys" and set its value to the desired hotkey for switching to the Dvorak layout.
6. Close the Windows Registry Editor and restart Windows.

References

• Microsoft documentation on remapping the keyboard to the Dvorak layout.

• AutoHotkey - a powerful scripting language for automating tasks in Windows.

• Keyboard Layout Editor - a web-based tool for creating custom keyboard layouts.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to set hotkeys for switching between keyboard layouts in Windows, even if you're using the Dvorak layout.