Setting Up IntelliType for Your Microsoft Keyboard

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If you’re a Mac user trying to make the most of your Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 keyboard post-IntelliType update, you’re in the right place. Although Microsoft hasn’t updated IntelliType for Mac since Lion (10.7.x), there are still ways to get everything working smoothly. Here’s a straightforward guide for you!

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard on Mac

Compatibility:
This guide will work for Mac versions from Mountain Lion (10.8.x) to Yosemite (10.10.x). Let’s walk through the steps to set up your keyboard without relying on IntelliType.

1. Enable Microsoft Drivers:
First, ensure that the necessary drivers are activated so you don’t have to start them manually each time you boot your Mac.

Open Finder and then go to the folder:
/Library/PreferencePanes/ on your startup drive.
Find Microsoft Mouse.prefpane if you have a mouse, or Microsoft Keyboard.prefPane for the keyboard.
Right-click on the appropriate file and select Show Package Contents.
Navigate to: Contents > Resources.
Keep the Resources folder open on your desktop.

2. Set Up Login Items:
Now, let’s make sure the necessary helper files load automatically when you start your Mac.

Open System Preferences and select Users & Groups.
Click on your user account and then go to the Login Items tab.
Going back to the Resources folder on your desktop, locate MicrosoftMouseHelper or MicrosoftKeyboardHelper.
Drag and drop the appropriate helper file into the Login Items window.

By following these steps, you eliminate the need to manually activate the drivers each time your Mac starts.

For Newer macOS Versions (El Capitan and High Sierra):
If you are running El Capitan (10.11.x) or later, you’ll run into more challenges due to System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Apple’s tightening security measures. To use IntelliType in these versions, you’d need to disable SIP, which isn’t recommended as it makes your system more vulnerable.

Alternatives to IntelliType

Since IntelliType may not be an option from High Sierra onwards, you might want to explore alternative software solutions to get the most out of your Ergonomic 4000 keyboard:

1. ControllerMate:
While it has a somewhat complicated interface, ControllerMate allows extensive customization for almost any keyboard or mouse. You can find layouts specifically for the Ergonomic 4000 online, enabling full key assignments similar to what IntelliType offered.

2. USB Overdrive:
This software is user-friendly and straightforward. While it may not cover as many keys as ControllerMate, it still manages to handle most essential functions. Note that some top silver keys won’t have configurable actions.

Final Thoughts

As of 2025, it’s worth mentioning that ControllerMate has not been updated since 2018, and may not work well with the latest macOS versions. Although USB Overdrive is still active, it’s essential to test it well, as my experience with it and other software like SteerMouse showed limited functionality in newer updates.

If you find yourself struggling with unsupported software or outdated drivers, it’s always good to look for the latest solutions that keep up with current developments in macOS. Happy typing!