Google did it with their Cr-48 Chrome netbook, and Lenovo did it, too. If you want to try living without Caps Lock, and converting it into a much more helpful Search button, commenter Java-Princess has your how-to.


Photo by 第③ª类视觉.

We've shown you one way to do this on both Windows and Mac, but this is a bit more involved, more desktop-integrated method for Windows.


Download the Windows Server Resource Kit 2003.

If you want to search more than just the web, install Google Desktop and set your preferences for Integration. If you're just looking for quick access to a web search dialog, skip this step.

Open your Start Menu folder in Windows Explorer—the easiest way is to click the Start button, right-click the All Programs near the bottom, and select open. Then:

Open the Programs folder in that location.

Right click a blank space and select New/Shortcut.

Type in www.google.com or bing or whatever, rename the shortcut to Search or something useful.

Right click the shortcut, click in the Shortcut key box on the Web Document tab and press F10. F10 is not used in Windows, you may find some applications make use of it. Your experience will vary, alternatives are F7, F9, F12.

Click okay to save.

Hit the start key and type remapkey in the search box. This will locate the remapkey.exe downloaded with the Server toolkit.

in the search box. This will locate the remapkey.exe downloaded with the Server toolkit. Right click the link when it appears and select Run as administrator.

Drag the F10 key from the top keyboard onto the Caps Lock key on the lower keyboard.

Agree to the warnings, hit the Save and Exit button and either log off and log on again (Vista/W7) or reboot your machine.

Pressing the Caps-Lock key now brings up the Google home page. Depending on your Google Desktop Integration settings you can search the web or locations on your computer.


I did a brief test with Word 2010, and this shortcut takes precedence—i.e. you lose the Word functionality of F10. You don't need Google Desktop if you only want to search the web.

I'm not sure exactly what the function of the Search button on the CR-48 does, never having seen one but I'll bet the above is pretty close. Ed. note: It is.


Idea fueled by Johnnie Walker Black Label (Neat, no ice)

How to make the Caps-Lock key into a search key like on the Cr-48 [#tips]