How to disable AltGr in Win7?

Question

I am supporting a user that can't type and consequently often hits AltGr (on the right side of space-key). He has enough power to decide he wants to disable that key (instead of learning to type). and he asked me to quickly get rid of that key

The only way I found was using KbdEdit and map AltGr to "KANA" (How to) but unfortunately that does not behave as promised. I am waiting for support from the developer, but thought that meanwhile I should see if anyone of you has better suggestion how to address this.

Solution 1

I would recommend SharpKeys:

SharpKeys is a Registry hack that is used to make certain keys on a keyboard act like other keys. For example, if you accidentally hit Caps Lock often, you could use this utility to map Caps Lock to a Shift key or even turn it off completely. This official release includes support for up to 104 mappings, an extensive list of available keys, and a "Type Key" option to help when managing mappings.

I have not used it personally, but know someone who has used it in the past and is quite happy with it.

Solution 2

If I understand you correctly, the problem is not pressing AltGr, but AltGr in combination with other keys?

You might want to get The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator.

There you Load existing Keyboard... (from File-Menu), select the language and design your user prefers, delete any bindings to keys with the Shift states of AltGr. Then you Build DLL and Setup Package (from Project-Menu) and afterwards install your individual keyboard design to the target machine.

Comments

[Lorenzo Von Matterhorn]

get something pointy and painful enough to stick on his altgr key. that way he'll learn not to press it.

[Karan]

Use an app like SharpKeys to map the key to an unused one such as F12 for example.

[user2522503]

Znau, great suggestion, but I have feeling my user won't be happy with that.

[pbies]

There is also possibility to turn off AltGr by a keyboard filter driver.

[user2522503]

That sounded like exactly what I was looking for, thank you! Unfortunately two probs: NOD32-Antivir wouldn't let me go to the site. So I got it from here instead: sharpkeys.en.softonic.com Now, it cannot just "disable AltGr", so I tried to disable keystrokes such as AltGr+Q (wich create @ on my german kbd). But SharpKeys complained about not recognizing that keystroke - and it did the same for all other AltGr-Combos I tried :(( '

[Lorenzo Von Matterhorn]

sure. remotely turn off the tv: slingshot a hammer.

[Karan]

@MBaas: Did you try what I suggested in my comment above, i.e. to remap the key to an ordinarily unused/rarely used one?