How can I use the WASD keys instead of arrow keys in games that only allow arrow keys?

[Derpy4]

I'm looking for a way to make the PC register my WASD inputs as though I'm pressing the arrow keys.

I have found programs that let me remap the keys in the keyboard, so I can reassign my WASD keys to the arrow keys but so far of the ones I've found, they all want me to reboot in order for the changes to take effect. They're letter keys and it's a game, I can't reboot every time I need to switch back and forth between using WASD for movement during gameplay and typing text outside of gameplay, that's impractical and inefficient

 

[XoRn]

What keyboard do you use? Most gaming keyboards have software that allow you to remap keys and save them to profiles.

 

[Pifanjr]

It's been a while since I used it, but AutoHotKey should be able to do this.

 

[Brian Boru]

I assume there isn't any key binding option in the game menus?

Most gaming keyboards have software that allow you to remap keys and save them to profiles

Right, my cheap—~$60 a few years ago—Roccat Isku allows just that. So I could have one default profile, and one where WASD mimic the arrow keys.

 

[Derpy4]

Thanks guys! Nah, no keybinding options, it's a pretty old and obscure game. I'm using a lappy, so it's just the integrated keyboard. I really don't game on PC much and never competitively but I didn't know where else would be appropriate to ask this.

I tried a pc gaming subreddit but they just removed it and told me to look online because it was too general of a question or something. Seems like if it was so general it would have been answered on their subreddit before, but nope.

Autohotkeys did the trick! It was more of an ordeal for me than it probably would have been for the rest of you since I knew nothing about writing or using scripts and the program wasn't what I would call user friendly but I figured it out!

The script I had to write turned out to be super simple and it'd be useful to anyone who wants to use WASD instead of arrow keys so idk why I didn't find it pre-made online right away

 

[Brian Boru]

Autohotkeys did the trick! … I figured it out

Attaboy!

Anyone else curious on the topic, here are a couple of short threads:

Steam Community :: Guide :: Remapping Hotkeys using AutoHotkey (wasd instead of arrow keys)

Remap Company Of Hero's keyboard commands using AutoHotkey. Replace arrow keys with WASD and reassign the view keys....

steamcommunity.com

Give Arrow Key functions to WASD - Ask for Help

Give Arrow Key functions to WASD - posted in Ask for Help: Hello. I am fairly new to AHK, and even though I have experimented around and read the Faq...I am unable to make this script on my own. What I want is while Warcraft 3 is open, for the WASD keys to have the same functions as the arrow...

autohotkey.com