Mac OS, no matter what version you are using, is a great software. The only problem is that sometimes people are not aware of the degree to which it can be customized. In this mini tutorial, we will talk about how you can configure/ customize your Mac OSX keys, so that they can respond well to your inputs.

How to Configure Mac OSX Modifier Keys?

Modifier keys in your Mac OS would be Control, Option, which is the Alt button in windows, Shift and Caps Lock. You can do a ton of different things with the modifier keys in Mac OSX if you know how to. Many a times, with an unfamiliar keyboard, the same Mac operating system can turn into a complete stranger.

In order to avoid the hassle of running into that “unfamiliarity” again, you can customize the modifier keys so that no matter what kind of keyboard you are using, there’s always the customization that you can count on.

Likewise, in case you are using a PC, you are bound to take it elsewhere. Now I work on a laptop. Whenever I move around, I take this laptop with me, alongside 2 keyboards that I love to use. Both of these keyboards, despite of their different key layout, have been mapped by me.

In Mac systems, the keys are mostly at their relative locations. To be able to configure your Mac OSX keys, take a look at the following screenshot.

Here you can see that the Modifier customization key window is open. You can not only select the keyboard make a model of your choice, but you can also make adjustments to the keys. Keep customizing until you are satisfied with the layout of your choice. The only tough thing to remember is that the actual key response will be changed after you are done with it.

Now how do you open your keyboard preferences? Oh, you thought that I left you high and dry? Never mind. In this Mac OSX customization for keys strategy, you need to open the keyboard system preferences. There is a button over there, called: “Modifier Keys” at the lower right side of the pane.

Click this button and a small window will open. By default, the keyboard attached to your Mac system will be in the drop down list. Select it and proceed to assigning the keys of your choice to the OSX. These settings are not universal. They will only work with the keyboard that they have been assigned to.

In case you are planning to replace the keyboard, you will have to remap the modifier keys again in your Mac OS X. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 at 5:35 AM and is filed under Computers, How To. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.