There are many great keyboards available, from entry-level membrane keyboards to high-end keyboards with mechanical switches. However, most of these keyboards are designed for use with a Windows PC. Keyboards specifically designed for Macs are very few in number, and mechanical keyboards for Macs are basically non-existent. So, if you want to pamper yourself with a great keyboard, this is unfortunately only available in a Windows variant, so here it is How to use Windows keyboard on Mac:
How to Use Windows Keyboard on Mac: Problem
The problem with using a Mac versus a Windows oriented keyboard isn’t that the functions are different, this order this causes problems. For example, if you connect a Windows keyboard to a Mac, the Windows key will work as the “command” key and the “Alt” key will work as the “option” key. This is illogical because on a standard Mac keyboard the command key is placed right next to the space bar… here the Alt key would be on the Windows keyboard. If that sounds confusing, believe me, using the keyboard this way is even more so.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to configure a Windows keyboard to work properly with a Mac, and you don’t even need to install a third-party app to do it. Let’s see how to do this.
note: I’m configuring a Logitech G213 keyboard For smart work with a MacBook Air running macOS Sierra 10.12.4 Developer Beta. The process will be exactly the same for other Windows keyboards.
Remap Modifier Keys to Work Properly on Mac
If you have a Windows keyboard that you want to use with a Mac, you can easily remap the modifier keys (Windows, Alt, Ctrl, Caps Lock) to behave like a Mac keyboard. Just follow the steps below:
- Open System Preferencesand go”Keyboard“.
- Here, click the button on the bottom right”Modifier Keys“.
- In the window that opens, select your Windows keyboard from the drop-down menu. In my case, “G213 Gaming Keyboard“.
Now make the following changes to the list of modifier keys displayed below the keyboard you selected:
- Change the value for “Option Key” with “commandChange the value for “. “Command Key” with “Choice“.
This will make the Windows key on your Windows keyboard (which is where the option key would normally be) act as the option key, and the Alt key on your Windows keyboard (where the command key would normally be) act like the command key. This basically means that all our problems are solved.
SEE ALSO: How to Change or Create Custom Keyboard Layouts on Mac
Easily Use Windows Keyboard on Mac
That’s basically all you need to do to be able to use a keyboard designed for Windows PCs with your Mac. There is no other difference between a Windows keyboard and a Mac keyboard, and after making these changes you will be able to use your Windows keyboard with your Mac easily. So go ahead and get the keyboard you’ve been waiting for, happy to know that you can easily customize it to work properly with your Mac.
As always, we’d like to hear your thoughts on keyboards available for Macs and keyboards available for Windows PCs. Have you ever had to reconfigure a Windows keyboard to be able to use it with a Mac? Let us know in the comments section below.