How to: Get [Application] key on m17x keyboard

Something is missing...

If you're big on keyboard shortcuts then you might have noticed something missing on the m17x keyboard. The [Application] key! If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's the one that looks like this and functions like the mouse right click:

​

I use(d) it frequently as I hate having to go back to my mouse when typing because I want the right click "application" menu for something. Eg. Editing word docs, Excel data etc.

Now, I know I can use [Shift] + [F10] (or the right click key on the m17x's trackpad if I had it enabled) to bring it up but if I'm going to strain my fingers into that position frequently, I might as well just use my mouse.

Since neither option appealed to me I started looking for a way to remap keys. Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator looked promising (once I finally got it to work) but it won't allow you to remap certain "dead" keys like CTRL/ALT/Windows Key/Shift etc. Bummer.

I did however, find another piece of software and one of the biggest benefits is that it seems to work on a per-user basis and has quite a few options. So, if you'll forgive the long introduction, on to the actual HOW...


HOW TO: Set up an "Application" key on your m17x by replacing [Right Ctrl] or [Right Alt]

You can do this one of two ways, the method which I'll be listing involves downloading a small application which makes the changes for you and is a better option if you are not comfortable directly editing the registry.

1) Download SharpKeys 3.0 and install / run the application.
(Credit and thanks to the author)

2) Click "Add"

​

3) Now, click the "Type Key" button in the left pane and capture the key you wish to remap (in this case, [Right ALT] or [Right CTRL].
Alternatively, scroll the list and find it as "Special: Right Alt (E0_38)" or "Special: Right Ctrl (E0_1D)".

​

4) You will have to scroll the right pane until you find the ' Special: Application (E0 5D)' entry, select it and click "Ok".

​

5) Click "Write to Registry" and you're done!
(The changes will be effective once you've logged out/back in)

​

​

I now have my [Application] key mapped to [Right Alt] - hope this is useful to someone else!



For a moment I thought it could also be used to permanently disable the [Stealth Mode] key since it captured some keystrokes from the touch sensitive bar like the media controls.

Unfortunately, it didn't seem to actually disable the stealth mode key which leads me to believe that it may have to be disabled in the bios instead. Perhaps someone else will have more luck with that.