I want to customize a second keyboard into a macro console. Can Windows distinguish keypresses from different keyboards?

Hugh Oatcake 20

Aug 25, 2024, 6:31 PM

I would like to customize the keys of a second (standard QWERTY) keyboard to perform macros in different apps, like the Alt+ shortcuts in Office 365.

I’ve looked at AutoHotKey, which apparently needs a keystroke interceptor app. Is there any other way to remap a secondary keyboard without affecting the keypresses on a primary keyboard?

Thank you.

Hugh Oatcake 20 Reputation points

Aug 25, 2024, 7:02 PM

Additionally: I started with PowerToys keyboard manager, but that doesn’t recognize different keyboards (I assume it’s because the scan code from one keyboard’s ‘M’ is the same as another’s)
Viorel 121.3K Reputation points

Aug 25, 2024, 7:22 PM
Consider the “Raw Input” (in C++):

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/inputdev/about-raw-input
Hugh Oatcake 20 Reputation points

Sep 3, 2024, 7:56 PM

Thank you. I was hoping not to have to go that deep. It's been decades since I have done any coding. But if that's the way, then that's the way.

The future is yours

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I want to customize a second keyboard into a macro console. Can Windows distinguish keypresses from different keyboards?

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