ReControl is a Windows utility designed to unify the behavior of the Control key between Windows and UNIX-based tools. It delivers an integrated keyboard experience by enabling global Emacs-like key bindings across the system, modeled on macOS. By remapping CapsLock to RCtrl (Right Ctrl), ReControl creates a clear separation between system/application shortcuts (handled by standard Ctrl) and its own key bindings (handled by RCtrl). This results in a fluid, conflict-free experience for users transitioning between Windows and UNIX environments.
Key Features:
Global Emacs-like Key Bindings: Navigate and edit text efficiently across most Windows applications using familiar UNIX-style shortcuts.
Smart CapsLock Remapping: Converts CapsLock to RCtrl for seamless integration of ReControl’s key bindings.
Automatic Application Exclusions: Prevents conflicts by disabling itself in terminals and editors like Windows Terminal, GNU Emacs, and gVim.
System-Wide Integration: Applies its keyboard shortcuts globally after a system restart.
Audience & Benefit:
Ideal for developers and users familiar with UNIX-based tools who seek to maintain consistent keyboard behavior on Windows. ReControl streamlines workflows by eliminating conflicts between Windows and UNIX-style shortcuts, enabling faster navigation and editing across applications.
ReControl can be installed via winget and runs silently in the background, providing a seamless experience once configured.
README
ReControl
Overview
Unify the behavior of the Control key between Windows and UNIX-based tools.
ReControl is a Windows utility designed to deliver an integrated and efficient keyboard experience modeled on macOS, where keyboard shortcuts with Command and key bindings in UNIX-based tools with Control coexist harmoniously.
This application enables global Emacs-like key bindings across your Windows system by remapping CapsLock to RCtrl (Right Ctrl).
This creates a clear separation of concerns. RCtrl handles ReControl’s global Emacs-like key bindings, similar to Control on macOS. The standard Ctrl (Left Ctrl) handles system and application shortcuts, similar to Command on macOS. The result is a fluid, conflict-free experience.
Features
Global Emacs-like key bindings: Emacs-style navigation and editing in most text fields across Windows.
Smart key remapping: Remaps CapsLock to RCtrl as ReControl’s modifier.
Automatic application exclusions: Automatically disabled in terminals and editors to prevent conflicts.
Installation
You can install using WinGet or download and run the MSI installer.
During installation, the setup program automatically:
Places the executable in C:\Program Files\ReControl.
Adds the application to your startup programs via a registry key so it runs automatically when Windows starts.
Creates a Scancode Map entry in the Windows registry to remap CapsLock to RCtrl.
> [!IMPORTANT]
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> The installer will NOT overwrite any existing Scancode Map key in your registry. If you use other keyboard remapping tools such as Ctrl2Cap, you may need to remove or configure them yourself before installing ReControl.
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> You can manually delete the Scancode Map key using Registry Editor at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
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> Alternatively, run the following command in as an Administrator to remove it:
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>
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> A system restart is required for the changes to take effect.
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Download the latest installer ReControl-x.x.x-x64.msi from the Releases page.
Run the downloaded .msi file to install the application.
Restart Windows to apply the key remapping.
Uninstallation
You can uninstall ReControl at any time from Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows. The uninstaller will also remove the registry key that was created during installation.
Usage
Once installed, ReControl runs silently in the background and resides in the notification area. Its Emacs-like key bindings become active system-wide immediately.
Global Key Bindings
The following shortcuts are available. They are triggered by the remapped CapsLock, which now acts as RCtrl.
Shortcut
Action
Equivalent Keys
RCtrl+A
Move to the beginning of the line
Home
RCtrl+B
Move left by one character
Left
RCtrl+D
Delete the character to the right
Delete
RCtrl+E
Move to the end of the line
End
RCtrl+F
Move right by one character
Right
RCtrl+H
Delete the character to the left
Backspace
RCtrl+K
Cut text to the end of the line
Shift+End -> Shift+Delete
RCtrl+N
Move to the next line
Down
RCtrl+P
Move to the previous line
Up
RCtrl+T
Transpose two characters
Shift+Left -> Shift+Delete -> Right -> Shift+Insert
RCtrl+Y
Paste text
Shift+Insert
> [!WARNING]
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> RCtrl+K and RCtrl+T will overwrite the current contents of your clipboard.
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Excluded Applications
To prevent conflicts, ReControl is disabled by default for the following applications:
