Can't assign Apps/Menu key to become Ctrl (Right) key.

[jbrooks42]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.80.1

Installation method

Microsoft Store

Running as admin

No

Area(s) with issue?

Keyboard Manager

Steps to reproduce

Description / Context / Use Case

I have a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Unfortunately, the keyboard for this device lacks a CTRL key on the right side of the keyboard. However, there is an Apps/Menu key that I never use that sits right where the right CTRL key should be (in my opinion). I would like to remap the Apps/Menu key to become the missing CTRL (right) key. However, when I attempt to do this, I receive a warning message telling me that nothing is mapped to the Apps/Menu key.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

1. Open PowerToys and under Keyboard Manager click Open Settings.

2. Make sure Enable Keyboard Manager is turned On.

3. Click Remap a Key.

4. Click Add Key Mapping.

5. In the Select field, choose the Apps/Menu key.

6. In the To Send column, make sure Send Key/Shortcut is selected in the column heading.

7. Select Ctrl (Right) as the key to send in the first "To Send" column.

8. Select None in the second "To Send" column. Your screen will look like this:

9. Click OK.

✔️ Expected Behavior

I was expecting the Apps/Menu key to be remapped to the Ctrl (Right) key and to be able to use that key just like a CTRL key on the right side of the keyboard (as a modifier key).

❌ Actual Behavior

I received this warning message. When I click Continue anyway, I see this. This makes me think that the key mapping was successful. However, when I attempt to use the Apps/Menu key as a CTRL key (to do a CTRL+C or CTRL+V), it functions as the Apps/Menu key instead, so the remapping was not successful.

Other Software

No response

[github-actions[bot]]

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Please view the issues below to see if they solve your problem, and if the issue describes your problem please consider closing this one and thumbs upping the other issue to help us prioritize it. Thank you!

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[Chealer]

Does this persist in the current version? If so, does it happen after closing Keyboard manager? There was recently (is?) a bug breaking remappings when Keyboard manager is open, but I can assure you that I managed to remap Apps/Menu to Ctrl. I changed my mind though since Apps/Menu is occasionally useful.

[marypcbuk]

I just filed the same issue and then realised that I had misunderstood the error; I'm not closing my issue as a duplicate because I edited it to explain what the actual problem is - the warning message telling me that nothing is mapped to the Apps/Menu key is confusing users (like me and the OP here); the remapping works but the error makes us think it hasn't, while not warning us that the original key is no longer available anywhere on the keyboard.