How to add a custom keyboard layout to Windows 7

Question

I have a new notebook that came with a Swedish keyboard, however since my native language is Brazilian Portuguese, I am missing some letters.

I could buy a new keyboard in Brazil, but since I am missing just 2 letters, I decided that it would be easier if I could create a new keyboard layout that contains the letters that I am missing.

To do this I have created a custom layout using the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator, however I have not been able to add it to the Windows keyboard list. In other words, how can I install/import this keyboard on my computer?

Solution

Simply saving the layout isn't enough, you have to install it. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Go to Project → Build DLL and Setup Package
2. When the process completes, click Yes to open the folder where the setup file is located
3. Run the setup.exe file you generated to install the new layout
4. Finally, go to Control Panel → Regional Settings to select the new layout

Comments

[Indrek]

Did you compile the new layout to a setup file (Project -> Build DLL and Setup Package), and then run the resulting .exe to install the new layout?

[Felipe]

Hey, thanks for your answer! I ran the .exe file and everything worked fine.

[Admin]

also on some Windows systems, msklc.exe should have no spaces in its path in order to build properly groups.google.com/g/…