CapsLock Enhancement Win V1 2023

Make CapsLock Great and Useful As It Should!!!

This project will transform the CapsLock key into a Hyper(✱) that can improve work and personal productivity thanks to its best ergonomic position next to the home row. One thing that annoyed me as someone who switches between Windows and MacOS is the keyboard layout. This project will create a configuration allowing me to have almost identical experiences using MacOS and Windows, regardless of whether I use my small mechanical keyboard or the built-in keyboard on my MacBook.

Highlights

• CapsLock is remapped to Esc when pressed.
• Transform Capslock into a powerful Hyper (✱)
• Quickly launch apps, useful navigation, window control, shortcuts, etc.
• Speed up productivity, high-frequency move stay in the home row.
• Work with all existing modifiers: Ctrl, Shift, Win, and Alt.
• Same finger position as Mac device, allowing a consistent experience.

Requirements

• A mechanical keyboard: to keep the finger position the same when using MacOS or Windows, the Left Alt and Left Win keys are swapped to replicate the Left Opt and Left Cmd keys on Mac, which I find more ergonomic when typing. You will need a programmable keyboard to remap the Left Win key next to the Space key. The rest of the keyboard will be the same as the default ANSI layout.
• Left Win is disabled for Start Menu when pressed alone to avoid opening Start Menu unexpectedly (you can still use Right Win to open it)

The CapsLock Layout

Windows

This project will focus on Windows, with the updated AutoHotkey V2 released in 2023.

Below is the projected keyboard layout:

• when using CapsLock + key: activate the first option.

• when using CapsLock + Lwin+key: trigger the second option.

MacOS

Visit Vonng/capslock who has done excellent work for MacOS.

My own version for MacOS will be updated here.

Installation

Windows

• Install AutoHotkey V2
• Download the capslock.ahk to your Windows PC or you can clone this repo if you are familiar with git command.
• Double-click to run it
• Adjust the script to your own preference.

Limitations

• Win+ Space remap does not work, if you know how to fix it please let me know.
• PowerRename has no shortcut key and has to be activated via context menu.
• File Explorer needs to be in the first index of the Taskbar (next to the Window Logo), this is the only way to launch it or switch to it without opening a new Explorer window.