Set German keyboard layout for 16 Bit applications

Question

When I run 16 Bit applications (such as QBASIC and edit.com) on Windows Vista or Windows 7, 16 Bit applications are using the keyboard layout of American keyboards. I want them to use the German keyboard layout. How is using the German keyboard layout possible?

Answer 1

You can run the following command in a command prompt, which you use later to run the 16 Bit application:

kb16 gr

Gr stands for German. If you want that the German keyboard is used for all 16 Bit applications on your Windows computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start/All Programs/Accessories Right-Click on notepad.
2. Click on "Run as administrator". Confirm the prompt of the user account control.
3. Click on File/Open and open C:\Windows\System32\autoexec.nt .
4. Add the same line as above to the end of the file.
5. Click on File/Save.

The commands in autoexec.nt will always be executed, when a 16 Bit application is run. Therefore all 16 Bit applications will use the German keyboard layout.