How to Fix Left Alt and Windows Key Swapped on Windows 10 Laptop

Reclaiming Your Windows and Alt Keys: Fixing Swapped or Remapped Keys on Windows 10

We’ve all been there – sitting down to get some work done when suddenly the Windows and Alt keys on your laptop seem to have switched places. It’s frustrating, confusing, and makes simple tasks seem impossible. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Swapped or remapped keys is a common Windows issue that can often be fixed with a few simple steps.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through several proven solutions that should get your Windows and Alt keys back in their rightful places. We’ll also share tips from experienced Windows users on what worked for them, so you can zero in on the fix that will solve your key quandary.

Ready to bid farewell to your key woes? Let’s get started!

Why Do the Windows and Alt Keys Get Swapped in the First Place?

Before diving into solutions, let’s look at some reasons why this odd key remapping occurs:

Why is the Alt Tab key not working on Windows 10?

If hotkeys are disabled on your computer, the Alt Tab key won’t work. Most times, it could be malware or a third-party app you’ve installed on your PC that disabled this function. Thus, you have to make sure it is enabled. Right-click on a space on the desktop page.

How do I remap keyboard keys?

To everyone saying swap the keycaps, that’s not a real solution. The windows key goes to the left of alt, so even if you swap them you still need to retrain the muscle memory Use program called mapkeyboard, it edits the registry and remap keyboard buttons as per yr choice, i have triee many mapping software and by far its the best.

• Yourecently installed a keyboard driver update– Newer drivers don’t always play nice with existing settings. Rolling back the driver or uninstalling and reinstalling it often does the trick.

• You switched your keyboard layout– Accidentally toggling between layouts like English and Dvorak can shuffle those Windows and Alt keys.

• You have a keyboard with a layout toggle switch– Some keyboards have a switch for swapping between Mac/iOS and Windows/Android layouts. Make sure it’s set to the proper OS.

• It’s a simple registry error– Like any complex software, Windows’ registry can get corrupted. Remapping keys is one potential outcome.

• You recently used remapping software– Some third party tools like SharpKeys let you remap keys, but bugs can lead to unintended swaps.

Okay, now that we know why this happens, let’s look at how to fix it!

Method 1: Update or Roll Back the Keyboard Driver

If you recently installed a keyboard driver update, rolling it back or uninstalling and reinstalling could return your keys to their rightful order. Here’s how:

What is Alt & Tab in Windows 10?

For those who do not know, the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut in Windows operating system is used to switch between running applications. When you press Alt and Tab keys simultaneously, Windows shows currently running apps. You can either use the arrow keys or the Tab key to select an app you want to switch to.

How to fix keyboard shortcuts not working on Windows 10?

Click Start, then head to Settings > System > Update & Security. Click Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Under Find and fix other problems, select Keyboard. Select Run the troubleshooter to start the scan. 4. Enable Sticky Keys Keyboard shortcuts could fail to work if you don’t press the key combinations at the same time.

1. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start menu and select it)

2. Expand the "Keyboards" section

3. Right click your keyboard device and select "Update driver"

4. Choose to search automatically for updated driver software or browse your computer for the driver

5. If updated drivers don’t fix it, rollback to the previous version

This should do the trick! If not, a clean install is your next best bet.

Method 2: Clean Boot Your PC

Starting your PC in a Clean Boot state can isolate whether background apps and services are causing your key remix. Here are the steps:

1. Open MSConfig (type it into the Start menu search bar)

2. Go to the Services tab and check "Hide all Microsoft services"

3. Click "Disable all" below that, then apply and restart your PC

Now try your keys. If they’re back to normal, some program or service was remapping them before. Enable them one by one until you isolate the culprit.

Method 3: The Space + Backspace Keyboard Reset

This clever keyboard reset technique has worked for many users. Try it out:

How do I update keyboard driver Windows 10?

Follow these steps to update the keyboard driver with Device Manager: Right-click Start and select Device Manager. Extend the Keyboard list. Right-click the driver and select Update driver. Choose the Search automatically for drivers > Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.

Why does Windows launch the start menu if I press the Alt key?

This means that Windows launches the Start menu when users press the Alt key instead of the Windows key. Such types of issues usually occur on multimedia keyboards or keyboards that come with some additional functionalities. In some cases, the keyboard driver is responsible for this problem. Left Alt key and Windows key are switched

Why is my left Alt key swapped on Windows 11/10?

In some cases, the keyboard driver is responsible for this problem. Left Alt key and Windows key are switched If the Left Alt key and Windows key are swapped on your Windows 11/10 system, use the solutions provided below to fix this problem. Before you proceed, restart your computer and see if it helps.

How do I use the right Alt?

The right alt is using as Alt Gr (Left Alt + Ctrl) key. 07-05-2021 11:13 AM If you are using some keyboard language other than English, that is a possibility. The Right ALT has been commandeered by a Graphic Driver control panel.

1. Hold the Space and Backspace keys together

2. With those keys depressed, unplug your keyboard

3. Plug the keyboard back in while still holding Space + Backspace

4. Keep holding for 3 seconds then release

5. Check if your keys are properly mapped!

Method 4: Add and Switch Between Keyboards

Adding alternate keyboard layouts like English (United States) and English (United Kingdom) then toggling between them has resolved many users’ swapped keys issue.

1. Go to Control Panel > Language > Options

2. Under "Keyboards and Languages" click "Change keyboards"

3. Add alternate English language keyboards like US, UK, etc.

4. Toggle between each layout checking if keys return to normal

This forces Windows to remap the keys from scratch, often fixing the issue.

Method 5: Use Third Party Tools to Remap Keys

If all else fails, third party tools like SharpKeys, Microsoft PowerToys, and AutoHotkey let you manually remap keys. Here’s a quick overview:

• SharpKeys– Open source tool for remapping keys via the registry

  How to fix Alt codes not working on Windows 10?

  Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard. Press 0, 1, 6, and 9 successively. Release the Alt key. The copyright symbol will appear in front of you. Some Windows 10 users reported that they are unable to use ALT codes. This post provides you with solutions to fix ALT codes not working on Windows 10.

  Why is the number pad not working on Windows 10?

  If turning on the Num Lock key, and the numeric keypad does not work, and you were unable to solve your issue, you can try these steps to turn off mouse keys: Click on Mouse from the left pane. Disable the toggle under Use numeric keypad to move the mouse around the screen option. Reboot your system and check if the Number Pad is back to use.

  Why is my keyboard not typing numbers?

  One of the most common reasons for the keyboard not typing numbers may be because the Num Lock key is disabled. The Num Lock is represented by a small LED at the top-right corner. To enable it, you need to follow this process: On the numeric keypad, look for the Num Lock button. Just press it once to enable the numeric keypad.

• PowerToys– Microsoft’s power user tool with a keyboard manager

• AutoHotkey– Create scripts to remap keys on the fly

Check online tutorials for how to swap Windows and Alt keys using these tools. With some trial and error, you should be able to override the incorrect mapping.

Restore Your Windows and Alt Key Sanity

Regaining control of your Windows and Alt keys can be frustrating, but as you can see there are several effective solutions. We recommend trying the driver update and clean boot steps first. If the issue persists, utilize one of the handy keyboard remapping tools.

With a few simple tweaks, you can kiss your Windows and Alt key woes goodbye. We hope this guide gave you the key insights you need to banish this pesky Windows 10 issue for good. Let us know which solution did the trick for you!

References

1. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/left-alt-key-and-windows-key-are-swapped-on-windows
2. https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/left-alt-switched-with-windows-key.3695128/