/CapsUnlocked

Use CapsLock as Control + Escape

Primary LanguageAutoHotkey

CapsUnlocked

This is a complete solution for windows to map the CapsLock key to Control and Escape without losing the ability to toggle CapsLock

  • Use CapsLock as Escape if it's the only key that is pressed and released within 300ms (configurable)
  • Use CapsLock as LControl when used in conjunction with some other key or if it's held longer than 300ms
  • Toggle CapsLock by pressing LControl+CapsLock

FAQ

  • Who is this for?

    • This is primarily targeted at Vim/Emacs users but anyone who uses the Control key will find this helpful. IMHO, the CapsLock is pretty much useless and it shouldn't occupy such a prominent position. This remedies that. Also, as a Vim user, I find myself using the Escape key quite often too. Thus, this script was born
  • Why should I use it?

    • So that you'll no longer need to contort your left hand trying to reach for the control key. Try it. Your left pinky will thank you.
  • Is it safe?

    • To the best of my knowledge. AutoHotkey has a large, established and responsible community behind it.
  • What platforms does this work on?

    • This particular solution is meant for Windows only. There are other solutions for Linux (xCape) and OS X (Karabiner) but I couldn't find one for Windows and decided to fill the gap.
  • Can I toggle this on the fly?

    • Yes! Just right-click on the AutoHotkey icon in the SystemTray and choose Suspend

Installation and Usage

If you don't want to mess with downloading the AutoHotkey executable etc. just download the latest standalone CapsUnlocked.exe and run it. That's it

If you're already using AutoHotkey or want to use it, either copy-paste the contents of CapsUnlocked.ahk into your script file or simply include it