MATE is a command-line utility designed to revert localized keyboard shortcut tables on specific MUI files to their English (en-US) defaults.
In localized Windows environments, keyboard shortcuts in core applications like Explorer, Notepad, and Wordpad are tailored for that specific language, often causing workflow friction for users who prefer globally standardized keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl + A to select all. This utility automates the restoration of these keyboard shortcuts into your system's MUI files, specifically targeting these three mentioned components.
Important
Currently, MATE supports only Spanish (Spain) MUI files (es-ES). If your Windows environment uses a different language, running this application will simply have no effect.
Using Windows in your native language shouldn't mean breaking your muscle memory. Many developers, power users, and IT professionals are deeply accustomed to standard English keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + A (Select All), Ctrl + F (Find), or Ctrl + H (Replace). However, when Microsoft localizes Windows into languages like Spanish, it alters these fundamental accelerator tables, forcing you to use clumsy or inconsistent alternatives like Ctrl + E or Ctrl + B.
Since Microsoft provides no native setting to decouple the system display language from basic application shortcuts, I built this utility to patch those specific binary tables, restoring global, standard shortcuts to everyday tools without needing to reinstall the entire OS in English.
Why should a localized operating system force you to break your muscle memory and rewrite standard keyboard shortcuts you've been using for decades?.
- Targeted Restoration: Automatically identifies and applies native English accelerator tables to
shell32.dll.mui(affecting Windows Explorer),notepad.exe.muiandwordpad.exe.muifiles. - Safety-First Design: Utilizes CRC-32 checksum verification to ensure only known, compatible MUI files are modified.
- Non-Destructive Process: Employs a temporary staging area and native Windows mechanisms for pending file rename operations after a system reboot, ensuring the original files are never directly modified while the application is running.
- Supports both Windows 10 and 11: Fully tested on Windows 10 20H2 and 22H2, and Windows 11 25H2, supporting both x86 and x64 architectures.
- Supports Classic Wordpad on Windows 11: Fully tested for the WinAero's classic version of Wordpad on Windows 11. Read more at Winaero
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 or Windows 11 (x86/x64).
- User Permissions: Administrative privileges are required to run this program.
- Navigate to the Releases page.
- Download the latest
.ziparchive and extract its contents to your preferred directory. - Run the executable file to launch the application.
Explore the complete list of changes, bug fixes, and improvements across different releases by clicking here.
Currently, this tool is designed for Windows 10 and 11. It specifically supports Windows 10 20H2 and 22H2, and Windows 11 25H2, supporting both x86 and x64 architectures.
Currently, this tool supports only 'es-ES' (Spanish - Spain) MUI files, meaning that MUI files in other localizations will not be modified during program execution.
Yes, it is highly safe. The program operates using file checksum validations; if an MUI file does not match the known signatures hardcoded in the source code, it is completely ignored and remains untouched. Furthermore, the original system files are never directly modified during the program's execution. All replacements are scheduled via the Windows Session Manager to occur during the next system reboot, acting as a safe buffer.
If you need to cancel a pending MUI file replacement operation or if an issue occurs, you can manually clear the scheduled tasks:
- Press
Win + R, typeregedit, and hit Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager. - Locate the value named
PendingFileRenameOperations. - Right-click and delete this value.
- Warning: Ensure that you only delete this value if you are certain it does not contain other critical scheduled file operations added by the operating system or other third party software. Deleting this value safely discards the pending MUI file replacement operations, ensuring no modifications are applied to your system on the next reboot.
Can I just delete the temporary pending MUI files to cancel the pending operations on next system restart?
Partially yes, but you should absolutely not do it.
Once a MUI file is successfully processed by the application, it schedules a file swap operation for the next system restart. This swap operation involves backing up your original system MUI files and replacing them with the modified versions located in the temporary directory.
If you delete the temporary pending MUI files while the registry entry is still active, the operating system will still attempt to perform the file swap on reboot. It will rename your original MUI file to a backup like "notepad.exe.mui.bak", but since the modified MUI replacement file is missing, the system will end up with no valid MUI file at all. This will render your system resources inaccessible and cause critical stability or UI display issues.
The only safe and recommended way to abort a pending operation is by clearing the registry entries in PendingFileRenameOperations, as described in the section above.
Adding support for another system language is simple. You just need to follow the existing structure:
- Create a new class following the
LanguageConfiguration_esESpattern (e.g.,LanguageConfiguration_ruRUfor Russian, orLanguageConfiguration_frFRfor french). - Add the required resource definitions for your target language's accelerator tables in the
AccTables.vbfile. - Register your new language configuration in the main application logic within the
LangConfigsarray, so it can be detected during the file validation process.
Since the architecture is modular, you only need to provide the correct checksums and accelerator data for your specific localization, and the application will handle the rest.
Your contribution is highly appreciated!. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or encounter issues, feel free to open an issue by clicking here.
Your input helps make this Work better for everyone. Thank you for your support! 🚀
This work is distributed for educational purposes and without any profit motive. However, if you find value in my efforts and wish to support and motivate my ongoing work, you may consider contributing financially through the following options:
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This work relies on the following resources:
This software and its associated repository are provided strictly on an "as is" basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability, reliability, or fitness for a particular purpose.
The authors and copyright holders assume no liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages—including data loss or system errors—arising from the use, misuse, or inability to use this software. You are solely responsible for determining the appropriateness of using this tool and assume all associated risks.
Furthermore, this project operates entirely independently. The utilization of any third-party libraries or components within this software does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement or approval by, their respective original authors.
Use this software at your own risk. This application modifies system-level MUI files to change keyboard accelerator tables. While the process is designed with safety mechanisms, modifying system files always may carry issues with System File Protection (SFC), DISM, or Windows Update functionalities.
This project is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0. See the License file for details.
