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Thread: How to replace a Keyboard Layout dll file in Windows 7

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    3

    Post How to replace a Keyboard Layout dll file in Windows 7

    This instruction is for those who have a custom keyboard layout and would like to replace a default Windows 7 keyboard layout with their custom one.

    The method to replace a keyboard layout dll file in Windows XP was to start the computer in safe mode, enter as administrator and just drop the dll file in system 32 folder and then restart the computer in normal mode.

    In Windows 7 that is not possible because of the default permissions. There is more than one method to change a keyboard layout dll file in Windows 7. The method discussed here, changes the permission on a keyboard layout dll file to introduce a custom dll with the same name in to the system 32 folder.

    The following procedure should be done by advanced users or above.

    Before doing this, it is advised that you make a restore point in your windows, so that if mistakes are made that you cannot reverse, you would be able to restore your system.


    Windows 7 - A method to change keyboard-layout dll files

    You need administrator rights for the following procedure

    Example replacement of the default Widows 7 KBDFA.DLL (Farsi keyboard layout) with a custom one.


    open folder: C:\Windows\System32

    Right click KBDFA.DLL - choose properties

    click - security tab

    click - Advanced tab

    click - Owner Tab

    click - Edit Button

    under "change owner to" - click Administrator

    click - OK button

    On the dialog box:

    "you have taken ownership you will need to close and reopen..." - click OK button

    on Owner page - click OK button

    on properties page - click OK button

    Second time:

    Right click KBDFA.DLL - choose properties

    click - security tab

    click - Edit button

    click - administrator

    under permissions choose modify (which automatically also activates Write)

    click - OK button

    on dialog box: "you are about to change permissions..." - click OK button

    on security page - click OK button



    Rename KBDFA.DLL to KBDFA1.DLL (to keep the old one in the same folder if you want or copy it to an archive folder in another partition)

    copy your replacement KBDFA.DLL to system32 folder

    restart computer


    ------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notes
    1:
    The above method has been successfully tested for Windows 7.
    I have not tested Windows Vista, but because of similarities between these two versions, if you have the same problem in Vista, you might want to look in to this method.


    2:
    Another method which I have not tested and involves changing registry values has been suggested for an example of Farsi keyboard-layout in the following link:

    http://farsiweb.ir/wiki/Install_Keyboard


    3:
    Farsi users can see the attached files for Farsi instructions as well as a Farsi custom keyboard layout dll file. The keyboard layout file can be used in windows 2000 upwards...
    Attached Files Attached Files

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    2,865

    Re: How to replace a Keyboard Layout dll file in Windows 7

    Thanks for the wonderful tips. Can you tell me whether i can also change it via the - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Keyboard Layouts ? Is there a key for the 'new' country? I have checked that there are dozens of numbered folders at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Keyboard Layouts . Which one should i change?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    3

    Re: How to replace a Keyboard Layout dll file in Windows 7

    The above method does not need any manipulation of registry values, and it does not need to be in safe mode. You just need to do it as administrator or when asked to enter Administrator's password.

    For the other method that works with the registry please refer to the link in note 2 above. Perhaps they can also answer your questions. I am sorry, I do not have a full grasp of the registry.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    3

    Re: How to replace a Keyboard Layout dll file in Windows 7

    For those who wish to make their own keyboard layout from scratch or modify an existing keyboard layout [in any language], they may want to have a look at Microsoft Keyboard layout creator at the following URL:

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/goglobal/bb964665.aspx

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    1

    idea Re: How to replace a Keyboard Layout dll file in Windows 7

    Unfortunately Microsoft is not going to solve the Farsi keyboard problem, so you have to replace the kayboard layout file after windows istallation.

    If you are running an x64 version of Windows 7, where x86 kbdfa.dll doesn't work, you have to find and install a 64 bit version of kbdfa.dll. You can see your windows version by going to "Control Panel\System and Security\System" looking for "System Type".

    In the other hand, as far as I know, there is a good 64-bit version of corrected kbdfa.dll available in the internet and it is available in FarsiPardaz. It is accompanied with an easy installation script (Windows batch/command file) that makes the replacement as easy as a click. It simplifies the above mentioned instruction with a simple installation script.

    The keyboard has Persian Numbers (۰۱۲۳۴۵۶۷۸۹) enabled by Caps Lock, letters پ and ژ are in their home and Shif+Space works as ZWNJ. It also types Persian ی and ک by default if you are aware of Arabic ي and ك.

    I hope you enjoy that.
    Last edited by Maqbool; 03-04-2012 at 05:39 PM. Reason: External Links not allowed.

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