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xmodmap VS SharpKeys

Compare xmodmap VS SharpKeys and see what are their differences

SuperOps
Modern PSA and RMM Software for MSP's and IT Teams featured
Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

xmodmap logo xmodmap

The xmodmap program is used to edit and display the keyboard modifier map and keymap table that are...

SharpKeys logo SharpKeys

SharpKeys is a utility that manages a Registry key that allows Windows to remap one key to any...
  • xmodmap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02

xmodmap features and specs

  • Flexibility
    xmodmap allows users to remap keys and buttons according to their preferences, providing high customization flexibility.
  • Simplicity
    The utility is straightforward and simple to use for basic key remapping tasks, making it accessible to users with varying technical skills.
  • Compatibility
    xmodmap is compatible with many UNIX-like operating systems and can be used in various desktop environments.

Possible disadvantages of xmodmap

  • Limited Features
    xmodmap lacks some advanced features and functionalities found in more modern key remapping tools.
  • Volatility
    Changes made with xmodmap are not persistent across sessions and need to be reapplied each time the user logs in.
  • Deprecated
    xmodmap is considered deprecated in favor of other tools like setxkbmap and can have compatibility issues with newer systems.

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.

Analysis of SharpKeys

Overall verdict

  • SharpKeys is generally considered a good tool for users who need an easy and effective way to remap keys on Windows. It has a straightforward interface and does not require advanced technical skills to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It is also open-source and has a supportive community on GitHub, which contributes to its reliability and improvement over time.

Why this product is good

  • SharpKeys is a utility that allows users to remap keys on their Windows keyboards. It modifies the Windows Registry to achieve this, which is particularly useful for users who want to change the function of a specific key, disable a key, or swap keys to better match their personal typing preferences or overcome keyboard limitations.

Recommended for

    SharpKeys is recommended for Windows users who need to customize their keyboard layout, such as programmers, writers, or anyone who frequently uses specific key combinations. It is also suitable for users who want to disable keys that are accidentally pressed often, such as Caps Lock or Insert, as well as those who want to swap keys for ergonomic reasons or due to a damaged key on their keyboard.

xmodmap videos

+ Add

Remap keys via xmodmap no longer works

More videos:

SharpKeys videos

+ Add

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

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to xmodmap and SharpKeys)

xmodmap

SharpKeys

Note Taking
47 47%
Note Taking
53% 53
Automation
29 29%
Automation
71% 71
OS & Utilities
100 100%
OS & Utilities
0% 0
Windows Tools
34 34%
Windows Tools
66% 66

User comments

Share your experience with using xmodmap and SharpKeys. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys seems to be a lot more popular than xmodmap. While we know about 52 links to SharpKeys, we've tracked only 1 mention of xmodmap. 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.

xmodmap mentions (1)

  • Unicode Character โ€œ๐•โ€ (U+1D54F)
    The character is used by another famous piece of software for what, 40 years? https://x.org/wiki/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago

SharpKeys mentions (52)

  • Shortcut for rotating canvas by 15ยฐ 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: almost 2 years 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 couldnโ€™t, but that I tried and it worked. Long time since I last used Windows though. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Total Commander
    > Total commander isnโ€™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 canโ€™t do vertical taskbars. True. Easily fixed with Explorer Patcher, though. Which, ironically, is FOSS. > And... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years 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 / about 2 years 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: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing xmodmap and SharpKeys, you can also consider the following products

Microsoft keyboard layout creator - Edit the windows keyboard layout.

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

Stick Shift - Stick Shift saves you time by removing repetitive changes to hand position when programming.

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

Mir - The purpose of Mir is to enable the development of user interfaces shells.

KeyExtender - KeyExtender is a keyboard remapping tool which not only allow you to customize keyboard keys, but...

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