Another new post from my backlog.

know-how/software/windows/_posts/2020-01-06-uk-extended-keyboard-with-even-more-extensions.md

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+---
+title: UK Extended keyboard with even more extensions
+layout: default
+created: 2020-01-06 11:57:02 +0100
+updated: 2020-01-06 11:57:02 +0100
+toc: false
+tags:
+  - know-how
+  - software
+  - windows
+  - keyboard
+  - driver
+  - layout
+  - microsoft
+  - umlaut
+  - umlauts
+---
+Recently, I switched from a German QWERTZ to a UK Extended QWERTY keyboard layout - for easier
+access to characters for programming.
+
+The UK Extended keyboard is great in that it still provides means to type umlaut characters which
+I still need when writing German mails. For normal umlauts, you can type <kbd>AltGr</kbd> + <kbd>2</kbd>
+followed by any vowel to get e.g. `ä`, `ö` or `ü`. To the get the "sz" ligature, in Linux, you can
+type <kbd>AltGr</kbd> + <kbd>s</kbd> which produces a `ß`.
+
+However, after changing the keyboard layout on my Windows 10 work PC, I've noticed that the official
+UK Extended layout doesn't usually provide the `ß`. And while Linux people were smart and added it,
+in Windows <kbd>AltGr</kbd> + <kbd>s</kbd> does nothing.
+
+But luckily, Microsoft provides a small tool to create custom keyboard layouts: The
+[Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22339).
+And it still works with Windows 10.
+
+During installation, make sure to install it into a path **without any spaces**, because otherwise
+you won't be able to compile the layouts. I've installed it into `C:\kbdcreator`.
+ 
+After installation, you can run it from the Start menu. Choose *File* --> *Load Existing Keyboard...*
+and look for "United Kingdom Extended" to not have to start from scratch.
+
+With the keyboard loaded, check the box "Alt+Ctrl (AltGr)" on the left and then click the "s" (VK_S)
+button. An input box should appear - copy&paste a "ß" (U+00df) and click "OK".
+
+Now also check the "Shift" checkbox on the left and click "s" again. This time, copy&paste the upper
+case version "ẞ" (U+1e9e) and confirm with "OK".
+
+You can now edit the Metadata by opening *Project* --> *Properties*. Remember, what you've configured
+as the "Description" and "Language". That's where you'll find the keyboard again later.
+
+Once you're satisfied, you can compile the keyboard by selecting *Project* --> *Build DLL and Setup Package*.
+This will build installers for 32bit and 64bit Windows. After that is done, you're asked if you want
+to open the output folder. Do this and double-click the `setup.exe` to install your newly created
+keyboard.
+
+With this installed, you can now open the Windows Control Panel and add this keyboard to your system.