UltimateKEYS Keyboard Layout (Windows)

International US-QWERTY layout with AltGr dead keys via AutoHotkey script (Windows).

In UltimateKEYS, all keys remain exactly organized as US-QWERTY. Except, when AltGr or AltGr+Shift is pressed in combination with another key, other diacritics and symbols are accessible and some keys become dead keys.

In that way, it is - somehow - similar to the layout "United States-International" (on Windows), although this project moves all dead key combinations to the modifiers AltGr and AltGr+Shift. That way, this project solves the most typical caveats, among which the quotes (' and ") can be used as usual (without pressing the spacebar afterwards), while the acute accent (´) and diaeresis (¨) are found under Alt and Alt+Shift respectively. This project has borrowed several aspects from the EurKEY Keyboard Layout.

Installation - AutoHotkey Script (recommended method)

This AutoHotkey script is a highly customizable version of UltimateKEYS. To work properly, the Windows keyboard has to be set to standard US-QWERTY and at least AutoHotkey 1.1 (AutoHotkey_L) is required.

• AutoHotkey website :  https://www.autohotkey.com/
• Download the 'UltimateKEYS - YYYY-MM-DD.ahk' file from this repository.
• After AutoHotkey is installed, you can optionally put the AHK file in the 'Startup' folder.
• Please note :  this is an overlay script, specifically designed for the keyboard layout 'US-QWERTY'.

Download the latest release

• Download - UltimateKEYS - Latest Release

Documentation - Keyboard Layout Image, Dead Key Descriptions

• Documentation - Keyboard Layout Image, Dead Key Descriptions

Installation - Integration in Windows OS using the compiled KLC version (not recommended)

Important - Please note :

• I prefer the method using the AutoHotkey script as it is a less radical approach to the Windows OS.
• This second method should NOT be used in a production environment !

Uninstalling a previous version :

In case you have already installed a previous version of UltimateKEYS, uninstall it beforehand :

1. Remove it from the 'language bar'.
2. Uninstall it via 'Control Panel' -> 'Programs and Features'.
3. Restart your computer.

Installing UltimateKEYS (secondary method, not recommended on Win 10) :

1. Unpack the ZIP file and run 'setup.exe'.
2. Confirm the UAC (User Account Control) prompt by clicking 'Yes'.
3. Log off and back on.
4. Optionally, enable UltimateKEYS as the preferred keyboard layout in the 'language bar'.

Enjoy and have fun !

Pieter Degroote