Emulate Numpad in Windows 10/11: Step by Step Guide (2023)

Main conclusions:

• Most laptops and keyboards don't have a dedicated numeric keypad.
• You can emulate the functionality of the numeric keypad in Windows if you don't have a dedicated numeric keypad.
• There are several methods to emulate the numeric keypad in Windows, e.g. For example, using an on-screen keyboard, a numeric keypad emulator, or an AutoHotKey script.

However, not all laptops or keyboards have a dedicated numeric keypad. For example, my 14-inch laptop and 10-key external keyboard do not have a numeric keypad.

What if your laptop or keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad?

No worries; You can emulate the numeric keypad functionality in Windows even if your laptop or keyboard doesn't have a dedicated numeric keypad.

In this article, we examine three simple ways to emulate the numeric keypad in the Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. Follow what you like.

Table of contents:

1. How to emulate the numeric keypad in Windows
   1. Use the on-screen keyboard to emulate the numeric keypad
   2. Use a numeric keyboard emulator
   3. How to emulate the numeric keypad with AutoHotKey
2. What is a numeric keypad?
3. What is the numeric keypad for?
4. Diploma

How to emulate the numeric keypad in Windows

There are three methods for typing without a numeric keypad. i.e. use the on-screen keyboard, a dedicated numeric keypad emulator or an AutoHotKey script to emulate the numeric keypad in Windows 10 and 11. All three methods achieve the same result. So follow the method which is convenient and easy to use.

The following steps work the same on Windows 10 and 11.

1. Use the on-screen keyboard to emulate the numeric keypad

Windows 10 and 11 have an onscreen keyboard for typing on touchscreen devices or with a mouse. You can use this on-screen keyboard to emulate the numeric keypad in Windows.

To emulate the numeric keypad with the on-screen keyboard:

1. Click No"Beginicon” in the taskbar.
2. Find and open"on-screen keyboard.“
3. Click No"options' on the on-screen keyboard.
4. Choose "Enable numeric keypadcheck box.
5. Click No"Num Lock' on the on-screen keyboard.
6. Now you canemulate and use the numeric keyboardvia the on-screen keyboard.

Steps in detail:

First, open the on-screen keyboard. To do this, press the "Start" button on the keyboard or click on the "Start icon" in the taskbar. Once the Start menu opens, find and open "On-Screen Keyboard".

After opening the On-Screen Keyboard app, see if you can find the number pad. If that doesn't work, click the Options button on the on-screen keyboard.

The above action will open the On-Screen Keyboard options window. Here, check the “Enable numeric keypad” box and press the “OK” button to save the changes.

After that, click the Num Lock button toEnable numeric keypad. Once the numeric keypad is enabled, you can use it to emulate the numeric keypad in Windows.

2. Use a numeric keyboard emulator

If your keyboard or laptop doesn't have a numeric keypad, you can use a free numeric keypad emulator. Creates a virtual numeric keypad on the screen and uses the mouse pointer to emulate numeric keypad keys.

To use a numeric keypad emulator:

1. Go downstairsNumpad-Emulator-Software.
2. To installthe numeric keypad emulator app.
3. Openthe numeric keyboard emulator.
4. You nowStart using the numeric keypad.

Links to download ->https://sourceforge.net/projects/numpad-emulator/

Steps in detail:

First, download the numeric keypad emulator from Source Forge's official downloads page. Once downloaded, double click the exe file and install it. Once installed, launch the numeric keypad emulator from the start menu.

As soon as you open the app, you will see a virtual number pad on the screen. At this point the numpad emulator is working as it should and you can use it.

The good thing about this app is that you can customize the virtual number pad and add new keys. For example, you may want to add other missing keys, Start, End, Print Screen, etc. to the virtual numeric keypad.

To add additional keys to the emulated numeric keypad, click the Settings icon and select the Add/Remove Buttons option.

The above opens two new windows. One window contains all the keys/buttons that you can add, and the second window is where you add the new keys/buttons. To add a new key, simply drag and drop it from one window to another at the location of your choice.

After adding all the keys, click on the "Apply" button.

Once you do this, the virtual numeric keypad will update to show the new keys. In my case I added six buttons, viz. H. alt, ctrl, tab, home, end and print screen.

After all, if you use the app frequently, it's best to start with Windows. To do this, click the "Settings" icon, select the "Settings" option, check the "Autorun with Windows" box and click the "OK" button.

When you close the app, it will minimize to the taskbar. To exit the application, right-click on the numeric keypad emulator and select the "Exit" option.

3. How to emulate Numpad with AutoHotKey

AutoHotKey is popular, lightweight, open-source software for creating keyboard shortcuts, quick macro creation, automation, and more. We can use AutoHotKey to emulate the numeric keypad in Windows. The good thing is that you can convert the numbers on the top row of the keyboard to numeric keys or display a virtual numeric keypad on your screen, just like numeric keypad emulator. I will show both methods; follow what you like.

Note: Download and install AutoHotKey before following the steps below. Download links ->https://www.autohotkey.com/download/

AutoHotKey script to use the number keys in the top row as number keys:

First, right-click on the desktop and select the "New -> Text Document" option to create a new text file.

After creating the text file, rename it to "NumPad.ahk". It is important that you use the .ahk file extension.

Once the file name has been changed, right click on it and select the "Edit" option.

In the opened window, paste the following script, save and close.

#WindowsLoop#If GetKeyState("CapsLock", "T")1::Numpad12::Numpad23::Numpad34::Numpad45::Numpad56::Numpad67::Numpad78::Numpad89::Numpad90::Numpad0

Then double-click the newly created AHK file. This action launches the script and sits silently in the taskbar. To use it, enable Caps Lock and press the number key on the top row to simulate the corresponding number key. When Caps Lock is off, the top row keys work normally. As you can see, you get the best of both worlds.

While the script is running, you can use the numbers on the top row of the keyboard as number keys.

AutoHotKey script to create a virtual numeric keypad on the screen:

If you want to emulate the numeric keypad with an on-screen keyboard, follow the steps below.

I go toComputer Edge-Websiteand click the KeyPad.zip link to download the zip file.

Once downloaded, right click on the ZIP file and select the "Extract All" button. Click the Extract button when prompted. This action extracts the content to a folder.

Open the extracted folder and double-click the KeyPad.ahk file. If you don't have AutoHotKey installed, you can use KeyPad.exe.

After you open the file, you will see a numeric keyboard on the screen that you can start using it with. You can also toggle Num Lock on and off to turn the numeric keypad on or off.

What is a numeric keypad?

A numeric keypad, also known as a dedicated numeric keypad or numeric keypad on your keyboard. Usually found on the right side of a keyboard, it contains keys for the numbers 0 through 9, as well as math operators like +, -, *, and special characters "slash" and "period/decimal". The numeric keypad is also sometimes available as a separate add-on for Windows.

What is the numeric keypad for?

No matter who you are, having a numeric keypad on your keyboard is pretty handy. For example, professionals such as accountants, data analysts, and programmers often use Numpad to perform quick calculations and enter numbers. The numeric keypad is also useful for gamers playing games like strategy and role-playing games that require a large amount of numeric input.

Because it is a dedicated numeric keypad, some tasks require the use of the numeric keypad and cannot be performed using the number keys on the top row of the keyboard. For example, if you want to create oneinvisible folder, you must use alternate codes that require the use of a numeric keypad. The same applies toMoving the cursor with the keyboard.

Numpad emulation on Windows - conclusion

In summary, there are several ways to emulate a numeric keyboard on a Windows computer. This includes using the on-screen keyboard, dedicated numpad emulator software, or creating custom scripts with AutoHotKey.

Use the method of your choice as needed. For example, if you want a customizable virtual numeric keypad, use the numeric keypad emulator. If you are an AutoHotKey user, use the AutoHotKey numpad script. However, if your need is temporary and you don't want to use third-party software, the on-screen keyboard can be a handy solution.

That's all. It's very easy to emulate Numpad on Windows.

I hope this simple and easy Windows guide helped you.

If you get stuck or need any help please email me and I will try to help as much as I can.