How to add number keys to the Windows 10 keyboard

Not all keyboards are the same. The physical keyboard changes according to the key layout they support, for example, the Apple keyboard is very different from the Windows keyboard. A large keyboard has a dedicated number pad and a small keyboard is removed to shrink the size. Users can use numeric keys on the top of the letter keys to enter numbers. Some applications force you to use a row of numeric keys (numpad) in this case, you can use AutoHotkey to add number keys to the keyboard.

When you press a key, your operating system will recognize it via a virtual key code. Each key has its own code depending on the keyboard layout you added. If you need to add numeric keys to the keyboard, you'll have to make the operating system realize that the number key you're pressing is actually present on a dedicated keyboard.

How to add a row of numeric keys to the Windows 10 keyboard

Download AutoHotKey. After installing, open Notepad and paste the following into Notepad. Save the file with the AHK file extension for example; numpad.ahk.

 #If GetKeyState ("CapsLock", "T") 
 1 :: Numpad1 
 2 :: Numpad2 
 3 :: Numpad3 
 4 :: Numpad4 
 5 :: Numpad5 
 6 :: Numpad6 
 7 :: Numpad7 
 8 :: Numpad8 
 9 :: Numpad9 
 0 :: Numpad0 

Run this file. To simulate, press the numpad key, turn on Capslock . With the process in progress, enabling Capslock is equivalent to enabling numLock .

When you click on the number keys at the beginning of the letter keys, your operating system will assume that you are pressing a number key on the actual keyboard. You can experiment with the application called Keyboard Tester. The screenshot below shows the number 2 entered by pressing the 2 key on the actual keyboard, but it is actually entered by pressing 2 on the numeric row row at the top of the keyboard.

Limitations when adding number keys to the Windows 10 keyboard

This script only works for numbers, not any symbols or keys on the numeric row row. If you click the plus, minus sign or slash, it will not be recognized as a key on the numeric keypad. Similarly, the "." will also not be mapped as a decimal key on the numeric row row.

With Windows 10, this trick applies to all applications, for example when you want to move the cursor with the number keys. If you need a row of numeric keys for game or application shortcuts, this small script will be useful. You can find an application to do this, but it will consume more computer resources.

See more:

1. No numeric keypad? No problem! Here's how to create a numeric keypad on Windows
2. Summary of several ways to open virtual keyboard on Windows XP / 7/8 / 8.1 / 10
3. Instructions for handling when the laptop keyboard key is broken