How to turn off the CAPS LOCK key

by Michael S. Kaplan, published on 2005/09/21 12:59 -04:00, original URI: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/michkap/archive/2005/09/21/472386.aspx

Earlier today, I talked about the fact that some people hate the CAPS LOCK key. Well, Jeff D. posted the steps to turn the CAPS LOCK off in Windows XP and Server 2003, and I thought that I would repost them so that others who are not looking at the comments would benefit:

The other solution I've used is to simply change the cancellation of CAPS LOCK to be done with the Shift key instead. sO THAT i CAN'T ACCIDENTALLY DO THIS.

Control Panel | Regional and Language Options applet | Languages tab | Details button, which gets you to the "Text Services and Input Languages" dialog.

On that page "Add" a second input language (you don't have to make it the default). The two (or more) I usually have installed are "English (Canada) - US" and "English (United States) - US". Once you've got more than one input language installed, the "Key Settings..." button becomes enabled: click it. That opens the "Advanced Key Settings" dialog. Right at the top you'll see:

To turn off CAPS LOCK: [ ] Press the CAPS LOCK key [x] Press the SHIFT key

Voila! Now if you have accidentally hit the CAPS LOCK key, as soon as you start typing the next sentence, which presumably starts with a capital letter, you'll cancel the CAPS LOCK immediately.

Very cool.... thanks, Jeff!

# tzagotta on 21 Sep 2005 1:14 PM:

That's cool, but it doesn't truly disable the caps lock key, so it is only a partial solution. I hate caps lock and would like to be able to completely disable it.

# Shai on 21 Sep 2005 1:57 PM:

The best way to disable the Caps-Lock is via a registry hack.
http://panda.cs.ndsu.nodak.edu/~achapwes/PICmicro/keyboard/scancodes1.html http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwdev/tech/input/w2kscan-map.mspx
The following registry hack maps Caps-Lock to Backspace, which makes it possible to correct errors without moving from the home row.
Administrative privileges and reboot required.
_____________________________________
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,0e,00,3a,00,00,00,00,00

# Randy on 21 Sep 2005 3:47 PM:

I wrote up SharpKeys to manipulate the Scancode Map, actually... I got tired of trying to find the keycodes I needed for remapping... I find I need to remap more than just cAPS lOCK, although that's how it started!

# Jeff D. on 21 Sep 2005 5:01 PM:

tzagotta wrote:
"That's cool, but it doesn't truly disable the caps lock key, so it is only a partial solution."

Yep, it's not a way to "disable" the CAPS LOCK key. That setting just enables a simple way of turning off the CAPS LOCK key when you've accidentally turned it on.

To "disable" the CAPS LOCK key just remove it.

# screwdriver on 21 Sep 2005 5:47 PM:

Or just pry the thing off, haha.

# uncle on 21 Sep 2005 7:27 PM:

<P>Offtopic but any way - <deleted by michkap></P>
<P>You should put it in the suggestion box if its not on topic for here, sorry!</P>

# Jo-Pete Nelson on 21 Sep 2005 10:00 PM:

It's an interesting idea, but I think that would be more annoying than the occasional accident of pushing the caps lock when you didn't mean to. If the shift key turns off the caps lock, then you can't get any keys that require the shift. That makes it so that legitimate purposes for the caps lock are made more frustrating. A few examples would include coding <HTML> (if you prefer to code HTML in caps), bulleting that ends or starts with a ":", or quoting in caps.

I hate to be a jerk about it, but honestly if you're hitting the caps key on accident that much, you should be more careful with your typing. Nobody expects the world to remove the "q" key because it happens to stand in the way of the pinky hitting the "1." Granted, it was perhaps given an overly prominent place on the keyboard, but I don't think software hacks are a good way to cover it up.

# Centaur on 22 Sep 2005 4:51 AM:

> A few examples would include coding <HTML> (if you prefer to code HTML in caps)

Why would you prefer to code HTML in caps? It will only make transition to XHTML harder.

# Aaron Robinson on 27 Sep 2005 11:39 AM:

I used the Remapkey.exe tool in the Resource Kit Tools ( http://tinyurl.com/6csco ) to map CAPS to another Ctrl key. I don't have to twist my hand as much anymore to cut, copy, and paste.

Not so much to get rid of the CAPS key, but to help my left wrist out...

- Aaron

# Steven on 22 Nov 2007 6:03 AM:

To turn off CAPS LOCK: [ ] Press the CAPS LOCK key [x] Press the SHIFT key

That used to be standard up to a certain point, when Microsoft decided to change that and adapt to the Linux world.

Remember:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typewriter

Used to be like that from the invention of CAPS LOCK onwards until it changed back in the 90ies.

Never knew, why it changed.

# Azaiaa on 6 Apr 2008 4:08 AM:

This hack is far, far harder than it needs to be.

Just run KaneBT Caps Lock Disabler!

[FYI Azaiaa -- this is hardly a hack and provuides an entirely different functionality than the tool you mention, to address an entirely different issue. -- SiaO]

# Yanike on 19 Apr 2008 9:25 PM:

That was a little harsh on the Azaiaa guy Michael.

He was just trying to help. I think...

It does disable the caps lock key without any hacks.

Anyway, thanks for the info!

Yanike

# Jason on 24 Apr 2008 1:17 PM:

Your steps are a life saved - I work in a call center troubleshooting issues for students, walking them through steps. One student called a few moments ago - she spilled coffee on her laptop rendering her text in capital letters, the Caps Lock button no longer functioned. Using these steps, I was able to return functionality to her machine. Kudos to you!

# JK on 24 Oct 2008 7:19 AM:

There is a very good small utility called sMaRTcaPs that I have used for many years without any problem for various Windows versions from Win 95 through to XP Pro. It allows you to disable/enable the Caps Lock and/or Num Lock keys from the system tray. It's very unobtrusive, you can toggle it on and off at anytime, and you can customize its settings quite extensively. I purchased it many years ago from the publisher, although I am not sure if they are still around. However, it looks as if it is available as freeware from

http://www.download.com/sMaRTcaPs/3000-2347_4-10043115.html

# Alex on 11 Nov 2008 10:25 AM:

Dears Michael and Jeff,

I have faced a problem that the CAPS LOCK on use keyboar was disabling just when he press the SHIFT key. I would like to keep the user keyboard normal, I mean, enable and disable the CAPS LOCK pressing CAPS LOCK key. I didn't have any idea to how back the user configuration to normal.

I writing to appreciate your post, because it helped me to find a solution and consequently, help the user.

Thank you very much fo help that you provided me through this post.

Have a nice day.............and once again thank you very much!!!!

Alan on 23 Apr 2009 2:47 AM:

I just cut up a Piece of pencil eraser and stuffed it under the caps lock key. done! :)

103 on 22 Sep 2009 3:39 AM:

in addition to the pencil eraser 'hack'

My sysadmin is also a basterd. Whta you can also put under the capslock key is a small row of staples so the capslock cannot be pressed in completely. Its a lowtech fix but it works for me. We do not have the clearance to install our own software...

good luck.

Jim Freedom on 3 Jan 2010 5:03 PM:

I love the Caps Lock key but hate the Windows 7 notification animation. How do I turn off the popup animation?

james on 4 Feb 2010 8:40 PM:

microsoft intelitype pro 7.0

made for their keyboards but works for other boards and laptops with alittle tweaking.(notice no caps here with caps lock depressdon and off).works with 7 and vista. no need to mess with register and it's free from microsoft.

Brian Davis on 3 Apr 2010 11:51 AM:

Good, except I have to go back to the top to make something happen

Michael S. Kaplan on 3 Apr 2010 2:18 PM:

As opposed to coming here? :-)

Michael S. Kaplan on 10 Apr 2010 7:24 PM:

Hey Jim Freedom -- see here for the answer to your question (I think)....

Joe on 27 May 2010 1:58 PM:

Thanks, I had the same problem and this tip resolved the problem

CARSON WHITE on 19 Nov 2010 6:17 AM:

NO MINE IS STILL ON

Terry on 11 Jan 2011 8:07 PM:

I just had the same problem. I had to go into my basic text/font dialog box and deselect the box next to Small Caps. It's not the Caps Lock key. There is some hidden control or function key that makes it change to Small Caps. Not sure where it is, but that was my issue.

Here's to NO MORE YELLING!

Peter on 29 Jan 2011 8:34 AM:

Very useful stuff!

windows 7 on 24 Feb 2011 1:57 PM:

How is this done in windows 7 home premium and pro?

Lelouch on 3 Jun 2011 4:11 AM:

omfg doesnt work

hackers

makiba on 2 Jul 2011 10:37 AM:

nt like cap lock

Darlene on 5 Jul 2011 11:48 AM:

Super easy & quick...Great answer! THANKS!

jeff on 17 Jul 2011 7:54 PM:

how can you turn it off with an android intercept cause i cant do it when i go to settings nothing works someone help me.

sueolso on 29 Jul 2011 11:55 AM:

ertailetterswillotworkadyspaearwillotworkelp11psputiodoesotworkaswellasfutiowitapitalkletters

Amarok on 9 Sep 2011 10:42 AM:

who can tell to me how to turn of the key code in cod4??????????????????????????????????

MM on 18 Sep 2011 12:44 AM:

I have to say...Bravoooo !!

makibafg@hotmail.com on 12 Dec 2011 2:56 PM:

i tel not like cap lock

kkilla on 3 Jan 2012 7:59 PM:

Omg this was so much help ur a life saver!!!

I LOVE YOU on 14 Mar 2012 11:28 AM:

HEY SEXY

AKSHAY on 17 Apr 2012 9:26 PM:

thanxs buddy ,save for my money,may be its tranactions may be above much.....

NEIL on 26 Apr 2012 6:55 AM:

pressing the CAP LOCK key and the SHIFT key does nothing. Why not?

david king on 29 May 2012 9:26 AM:

I want to be able to use the caps lock sometimes, is it possible to disable the capslock and then press shift and capslock to re-enable the capitals.

Liliq Stefanova Ivanova 10.08.1981 30 godini on 13 Jul 2012 10:16 AM:

stefi_ceci@abv.bg

Michael Walshe on 9 Aug 2012 2:11 PM:

Thanks, Michael, I find this a much more useful way to revert from Caps Lock but couldn't remember how to do it!

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referenced by

2010/04/10 Getting rid of that extra notification...

2006/10/06 If you hate the CAPS LOCK key, please read this!

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