Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SharpKeys VS X-Mouse Button Control

Compare SharpKeys VS X-Mouse Button Control and see what are their differences

SharpKeys logo SharpKeys

SharpKeys is a utility that manages a Registry key that allows Windows to remap one key to any...

X-Mouse Button Control logo X-Mouse Button Control

XMouse Button Control (XMBC) allows you to create application and window specific profiles.
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02
  • X-Mouse Button Control Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-28

SharpKeys features and specs

  • Open Source
    SharpKeys is available on GitHub, which means it is open source. This allows users to inspect the code, contribute to development, or customize it for their needs.
  • Free of Cost
    SharpKeys is entirely free to use, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a commercial license.
  • Simple User Interface
    The interface is straightforward and easy to use, which makes the process of remapping keys simple even for non-technical users.
  • Registry-Based Remapping
    SharpKeys makes changes directly to the Windows registry, ensuring that the remapped keys work across all applications without the need for additional software running in the background.
  • Minimal Resource Usage
    Because SharpKeys modifies the registry rather than running a constant background process, it uses minimal system resources.
  • Portability
    Once the registry changes are made, SharpKeys does not need to remain installed on the system, making it a lightweight, one-time-use tool.

Possible disadvantages of SharpKeys

  • Windows Only
    SharpKeys is designed to work exclusively on Windows operating systems, which limits its usability for users on macOS, Linux, or other platforms.
  • Limited to Registry
    The tool operates by modifying the Windows registry, so it cannot handle complex remapping scenarios that need real-time processing, such as conditional key mappings.
  • No Advanced Features
    SharpKeys lacks advanced features found in more sophisticated key remapping software, such as macro recording, multi-key remapping, or application-specific profiles.
  • Requires Admin Rights
    Since changes are made to the Windows registry, administrative privileges are required, which might be restrictive in some organizational environments.
  • Potential for Errors
    Incorrect registry changes could potentially lead to system instability or errors, especially for users who are not familiar with the Windows registry.
  • Reboot Required
    For registry changes to take effect, a system reboot is necessary, which can be inconvenient for users needing immediate results.

X-Mouse Button Control features and specs

  • Customizability
    X-Mouse Button Control allows users to customize the function of each mouse button, including extensive remapping options and the creation of different profiles for different applications.
  • User Interface
    It features an intuitive user interface that makes navigating and configuring settings quite straightforward, even for those who may not be very tech-savvy.
  • Cost
    The software is free to use, making it an accessible option for anyone seeking to enhance their mouse capabilities without spending money.
  • Macro Support
    It supports the creation of complex macros, allowing users to automate various tasks and boost productivity.
  • Profile Switching
    X-Mouse Button Control allows automatic profile switching based on the active application, providing convenience and efficiency.

Possible disadvantages of X-Mouse Button Control

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the software can still be overwhelming for beginners due to its wide range of features and customization options.
  • Compatibility
    There may be compatibility issues with certain hardware or software configurations, which can limit its effectiveness for some users.
  • System Resources
    Using X-Mouse Button Control can add to the load on system resources, potentially affecting the performance of other applications on less powerful computers.
  • Updates
    The software is not updated frequently, which means new bugs or compatibility issues with newer versions of operating systems or software may persist for some time.
  • Limited Support
    There is limited customer support available, relying predominantly on community forums and user-generated content for troubleshooting and assistance.

SharpKeys videos

[Windows] Changing Modifier Keys Using SharpKeys | Reassigning Modifier Keys & SharpKeys Tutorial

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

X-Mouse Button Control videos

How to program extra mouse buttons for pubg | X-Mouse Button Control Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SharpKeys and X-Mouse Button Control)
Automation
45 45%
55% 55
Windows Tools
44 44%
56% 56
Note Taking
36 36%
64% 64
Scripts
54 54%
46% 46

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 52 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SharpKeys mentions (52)

  • Shortcut for rotating canvas by 15° left or right without a mouse
    I don't like using my mouse while drawing and I couldn't find how to do this anywhere, but luckily when I was about to give up I achieved it! So, for this you'll need a program called SharpKeys. You can download it here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Caps Lock Behaviour Disabled in Gnome
    Sharpkeys can swap keys, the readme says as much: > Things that SharpKeys will do: > ... > Allow you to swap two keys with each other - e.g. You can swap Left Windows with Left Control and vice versa I do have a vague recollection of Sharpkeys previously saying that it couldn’t, but that I tried and it worked. Long time since I last used Windows though. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Total Commander
    > Total commander isn’t FOSS. I'm aware of that. There are lots of FOSS equivalents, though. Including, I believe, on Windows. Wikipedia lists 23 of which I think -- haven't checked -- the majority are FOSS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_manager#Orthodox_file_managers > Ironically windows 11 can’t do vertical taskbars. True. Easily fixed with Explorer Patcher, though. Which, ironically, is FOSS. > And... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Learn AutoHotKey by stealing my scripts
    Remapping Capslock to Control: Windows: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys Ubuntu Linux (don't know about other Linuxes): /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc
        key  { [ Caps_Lock  ] };
    . - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Setup Media Key shortcuts
    SharpKeys: available in the Microsoft Store. Or you can get it here: https://www.randyrants.com/category/sharpkeys/ or here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys. Source: almost 2 years ago
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X-Mouse Button Control mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of X-Mouse Button Control yet. Tracking of X-Mouse Button Control recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SharpKeys and X-Mouse Button Control, you can also consider the following products

Karabiner - Karabiner, previously called KeyRemap4MacBook, is a very powerful keyboard remapper for Mac OS X.

SteerMouse - Advanced driver for USB and Bluetooth mouses.

Key Manager - ATNSOFT Key Manager, Key Remapper, Text Paster

Microsoft keyboard layout creator - Edit the windows keyboard layout.

Key Remapper - Intended for remapping keys, mouse buttons and mouse wheel actions, Key Remapper allows you to:

Mac Mouse Fix - A simple way to make your 3rd party mouse better.