Use macOS-style shortcuts in Windows

README.md

Use macOS-style shortcuts in Windows / keyboard mappings using a Mac keyboard on Windows

ℹ️ There is a newer alternative project that does similar things and more, check it out at https://github.com/stevenilsen123/mac-keyboard-behavior-in-windows

Make Windows PC's shortcut act like macOS (Mac OS X) (using AutoHotkey (ahk) script)

With this AutoHotKey script, you can use most macOS style shortcuts (eg, cmd+c, cmd+v, ...) on Windows with a standard PC keyboard.

How does it work

Here's some examples of how this script work:

you want to press	what you're actually pressing	AutoHotKey tells Windows
cmd + c	alt + c	ctrl + c
cmd + v	alt + v	ctrl + v
cmd + r	alt + r	F5
cmd + ↑	alt + ↑	Home
cmd + shift + [	alt + shift + [	ctrl + shift + Tab
...	...	...

Note that:

1. you shouldn't change the modifier keys mapping with keyboard DIP. This script assumes you (1) use a PC keyboard on Mac and have swapped [cmd] and [option] keys via Mac system preferences (2) you are familiar with mac shortcuts in macs (3) you want to use the PC keyboard and mac-style shortcuts on PC.
2. To use cmd + shift + ↑ / ↓ / ← / → (select text between cursor and top / bottom / beginning of line / end of line), You should disable the Between input languages shotcut from Control Panel\Clock, Language, and Region\Language\Advanced settings > Change lanugage bar hot keys due to conflicting.
3. Some Windows built-in keyboard shortcuts will be overridden. For example: win + ↑ / ↓ / ← / → (snap window to side). Change mac.ahk accordingly if you prefer to keep the default behavior.

To Run Once (until reboot)

1. Install https://www.autohotkey.com/
2. Copy and save the content of mac.ahk in a text file, named as mac.ahk
3. Double click on mac.ahk file

Auto start after Windows startup

Complete the step of "To Run Once" section first.

Place mac.ahk file (or make a shortcut) at C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

mac.ahk

#NoEnv  ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
; #Warn  ; Enable warnings to assist with detecting common errors.
SendMode Input  ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%  ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.

; Docs:
; https://autohotkey.com/docs/Hotkeys.htm
; https://autohotkey.com/docs/KeyList.htm
; Ref https://autohotkey.com/board/topic/60675-osx-style-command-keys-in-windows/

; You need to disable "Between input languages" shotcut from Control Panel\Clock, Language, and Region\Language\Advanced settings > Change lanugage bar hot keys

; Universal shotcuts

$!x::Send ^x
$!c::Send ^c
$!v::Send ^v
$!s::Send ^s
$!a::Send ^a
$!z::Send ^z
$!+z::Send ^y
$!w::Send ^w
$!f::Send ^f
$!n::Send ^n
$!q::Send !{f4}
$!r::Send ^{f5}
$!m::Send {LWin Down}{Down}{LWin Up}
$!`::Send {Alt Down}{Shift Down}{Tab}{Shift Up}

; Quick Switch Tab shotcuts

$!1::Send ^1
$!2::Send ^2
$!3::Send ^3
$!4::Send ^4
$!5::Send ^5
$!6::Send ^6
$!7::Send ^7
$!8::Send ^8
$!9::Send ^9
$!0::Send ^0

; Chrome shotcuts

$!t::Send ^t
$!+t::Send ^+t
$!+]::Send {Ctrl Down}{Tab Down}{Tab Up}{Ctrl Up}
$!+[::Send {Ctrl Down}{Shift Down}{Tab Down}{Tab Up}{Shift Up}{Ctrl Up}
$!l::Send ^l

; input methods

; $+,::Send ^,
; $+.::Send ^.

; navigation, selection, delete a word/till end

$!Left::Send {Home}
$!Right::Send {End}
$!Up::Send {Lctrl down}{Home}{Lctrl up}
$!Down::Send {Lctrl down}{End}{Lctrl up}

$#Left::Send {ctrl down}{Left}{ctrl up}
$#Right::Send {ctrl down}{Right}{ctrl up}
$#+Left::Send {ctrl down}{shift down}{Left}{shift up}{ctrl up}
$#+Right::Send {ctrl down}{shift down}{Right}{shift up}{ctrl up}

$!+Left::Send {shift down}{Home}{shift up}
$!+Right::Send {shift down}{End}{shift up}
$!+Up::Send {Ctrl Down}{shift down}{Home}{shift up}{Ctrl Up}
$!+Down::Send {Ctrl Down}{shift down}{End}{shift up}{Ctrl Up}

!BS::Send {LShift down}{Home}{LShift Up}{Del}
#BS::Send {LCtrl down}{BS}{LCtrl up}

$#Space::Send {Ctrl Down}{LWin Down}{Space}{LWin Up}{Ctrl Up}

In case this helps - a two-step process made things super easy for me. First disable Windows shortcuts that conflict with your desired Mac / other shortcuts. Then use app of choice to configure new shortcuts.

This prevents Windows from fighting you on the new shortcuts you want to make - a persistent issue for many people.

You can keep core Windows shortcuts you like - the important ones.

I found this much more effective - and bug-free - than trying to remap Windows shortcuts in one go.

1. Use Windows PowerToys (free download with Windows Professional) to disable shortcuts

e.g.

• disable WIN shortcuts in a way that Windows understands and accepts (via PowerToys)
• disable the super useful and otherwise unique Hyper Key / CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + WIN - which Windows sees as the Office Key (which fights many shortcuts)
• disable WIN + E - so it can be remapped to better / Mac-style replacement
• disable WIN + Space - so it can be remapped to Raycast

2, Use shortcuts app of your choice to create new shortcuts

e.g.

• remap a shortcut using Hyper key-combo to open replacement for Windows Explorer such as Mac-user-friendly SPAN Finder)
• remap a shortcut using Hyper key-combo to WIN + Space to open Raycast

I'm using an app made in Rust called Shortcuts Remapper Studio - very user-friendly and available in Windows store.

---

Windows PowerToys

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/install?tabs=gh%2Cextract-094

Shortcuts Remapper Studio:

• https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nkz25gpf21l?hl=en-GB&gl=AU

SPAN Finder:

• https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9p7nj351x9tl?hl=en-GB&gl=AU
• https://github.com/LumiBearStudio/SpanFinder