Windows 7 under bootcamp for MacOS X 10.6.6

I've recently installed Windows 7 onto my 2011 MacBook Air. The only thing that was a problem was the keyboard mapping for my UK keyboard. A number of the punctuation keys were in the wrong place (e.g. the @ and the " were swapped). I found this older post https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2045220?answerId=9652475022#9652475022 which I followed and that seems to have put all my keys in the correct places.

Of course, I can't now find the # key because there isn't a hash key on the keyboard. I guess I can use charmap in Windows 7 but that's clunky, but are there any other ways?

There's probably a way to amend the file from the post above so when I've got a few minutes spare I'll take a closer look at that too.

Keyboard mapping in Windows with Apple kb

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1220

Unfortunately, the link refers to a MacBook Pro which does have a hash key, unlike my MacBook Air UK keyboard which doesn't. 😟

i have struggled with this for ages - normally i work with an external full keyboard and alt+3+5 works

on the laptop keyboard this does not work. i have read alt + 3 does it for mac, but in boot camp - no joy.

I have just tried ALT + 3 using the RIGHT HAND ALT KEY!!! AND IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!

#######

hope this helps someone else

Having just pulled my hair out taking advice from many pundits about how to get the hash key under bootcamp with an English Mac Keyboard selection I found that the advice from bl_ndp_lot worked perfectly; namely Ctrl+Alt+3 BUT USING Alt ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE KEYBOARD ONLY. Why the two Alt buttons appear to have different functions only Apple can explain. I was also surprised given the large number of internet queries concerning the missing hash that the Apple helpline (normally excellent) were not able to help, instead of passing it off as a 'Windows Problem' when clearly it is an issue with the Mac Bootcamp Keyboard Driver. I also think after many years of the 'Hash Problem' it is time for Apple to put a hash key on the keyboard (and whilst at it a DEL key would also be useful)😕

Apologies to my posting above. The correct sequence is simply Alt+3 using the right hand side Alt key.

Thank you to those who have said right Alt key + 3, it works a treat!

This works because the Right alt key is actually functioning as a Ctrl-Alt combination key...

which is NOT what I want. Anyone know how to stop that? I don't think it always was this way for me under BootCamp. I installed a trial of Parallels recently, but I don't think the two are related.

Many thanks for this. I have been struggling with no hash key on my Bootcamp MacBook Air for ages and this works a treat. :-))

Bob

Totally agree with your points about Apple's Keyboard! Why would they put ± and § yet not # !?

I can tell everyone what I've just done to make my Bootcamped life SO much easier, which is simply to use an external PC keyboard when working in Windows.

You have to install both the UK (Apple) keyboard driver, and the normal UK keyboard driver, then you use the ENG switch in the system tray to switch between them, depending on what keyboard you're using (I'm not sure, but I wonder if more modern keyboards would make the switch automatically).

I was getting so ****** off with screwing up the modifier keys and generally wreaking havoc in Windows because of Mac muscle memory; using an external keyboard is the answer - it just feels so much more natural, and I mistakes are a thing of the past.

FINALLY! Thank you!

Man, that's freaking awesome! This has been driving me crazy and I've been copying and pasting the hash symbol for months now!

Many thanks!