How to remap Command to Control on a Magic Keyboard on Windows
On Windows the Magic Keyboard's Command key becomes the Windows key — so the Cmd+C, Cmd+V muscle memory you built on a Mac stops working. Here's how to swap Command and Control so your shortcuts come back.
Why Cmd shortcuts break on Windows
Windows uses Ctrl for copy, paste, save, and most shortcuts, while macOS uses Command. On a Magic Keyboard, Command maps to the Windows key — so pressing what feels like Cmd+C does nothing useful. Remapping Command to Control fixes it.
Option 1: PowerToys Keyboard Manager (free)
Microsoft's free PowerToys can remap keys system-wide:
- Install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.
- Open Keyboard Manager → Remap a key.
- Map the Windows key (the Magic Keyboard's Command) to Ctrl — and Ctrl to the Windows key if you want a full swap.
- Click OK. Cmd+C now works as Ctrl+C across Windows.
The catch: it's an all-or-nothing global swap, so apps that genuinely use the Windows key are affected too.
Option 2: per-app remapping
If you want Command to act as Control in most apps but keep the Windows behaviour in a few, you need per-app remapping. Tenon remaps Command and Control on the Magic Keyboard with optional per-app overrides, in one signed install — so your Mac shortcuts follow you without breaking the apps that don't want them.
Frequently asked
How do I swap Command and Control on Windows?
You can remap the keys with Microsoft PowerToys Keyboard Manager for free, or with a utility. Tenon (coming soon) swaps Command and Control on the Magic Keyboard with optional per-app overrides, so Mac shortcuts like Cmd+C keep working on Windows.
Can I make Mac keyboard shortcuts work on Windows?
Largely, yes. Remapping Command to Control covers most copy, paste, and save shortcuts. Per-app remapping — which Tenon offers — handles the apps where you want the Windows behaviour instead.