On Screen Indicator for Capslock and Numlock

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The Issue

Many wireless keyboards, and even some modern laptops, do not have indicator lights to show when Caps lock, Number lock, or Scroll lock are enabled.

Use the following application and configuration to add an on-screen indicator.

 

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Installing Keyboard LEDs

  • Install Keyboard LEDs from the Windows Software Center
  • Once installed, you can either use the default configuration, or customize it: See below for an overview and customization options. 

 

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Settings and Interface Overview

  • keyboard LEDs provides two on-screen interfaces to monitor your Caps/Scroll/Num locks. They are:
    • The Tray Icon
      • Lives on the Windows Taskbar, showing an on/off indicator for Number lock, Caps lock, and scroll lock.
      • Right-click to close the application, open settings, or trigger Caps/Scroll/Number lock.
      • Colors can be customized, and the tray icon can be hidden. See the section below for how-tos.
    • The On Screen Display
      • Shows when number/caps lock are activated.
      • Can be dragged to other parts of the screen, and customized to change colors/size, indicate when off, or hidden entirely. See the section below for how-tos.
      • Note that the On Screen Display defaults to the bottom right-hand corner of your right-most monitor; click and drag it where you like it. 

 

The Keyboard LEDs settings can be opened by right clicking the tray icon and selecting Settings; note that the Keyboard LEDs icon in your start menu is only for starting the application, and settings must be opened from the tray icon.

 

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Customizing the Tray Icon

Hide/Show the Tray Icon

  • You can hide the tray icon in windows by clicking and dragging it to the other hidden tray section, hidden behind the up arrow. 
  • Show the icon by reversing those steps: Click and drag the icon out of the tray onto the taskbar. 

 

Change Indicator Colors/Order

  1. Right-click the tray icon and select Settings.
  2. Customize LED 1-3 as desired.

 

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Customizing the On Screen Display

Moving the On Screen Display Around Your Screen

  • The On Screen Display defaults to the bottom right-hand corner of your right-most monitor.
  • You can click and drag the On Screen Display anywhere on your desktop. 
  • Set it where you can easily check it during your work. 

 

Hiding the On Screen Display

You can hide the On Screen Display if you only want to use the Tray Icons.

  1. Right-click the tray icon and select settings.
  2. Uncheck the "On Screen Display" check box. 

 

Show/Hide Indicators

You can hide indicators you do not use regularly; Scroll Lock is hidden by default, and you may want to turn it on.

  1. Right-click the tray icon and select Settings.
  2. Check/Uncheck the Num Lock, Caps Lock, or Scroll Lock as desired.

 

Show Status When Off

  • By default, the On Screen Display only shows when an indicator is On, and Off is assumed when an indicator is hidden.
  • You can instead set the indicator to show both On and Off states.
  1. Right-click the tray icon and select Settings.
  2. Check the Hide when all OFF check box

See also the Hide After check box if you would like to hide after a set period of time.

 

Changing On Screen Display Size and Colors

 

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