KeyClickOverlay

KeyClickOverlay is a small Windows app that visualizes your keyboard and mouse input directly on screen.

Most free alternatives lock the key display to fixed screen corners and offer only limited size control.
I created KeyClickOverlay because I wanted full freedom: the ability to place the key and mouse display anywhere on screen, resize it precisely, and adapt it to my own recording setup.

The app works globally, outside of application focus, making it suitable for screen recordings, live demonstrations, tutorials, and classroom use.

Content

Getting Started

This section explains how to install KeyClickOverlay, what happens the first time you start the application, and introduces the two operating modes used throughout this guide.

Download and Installation

KeyClickOverlay is available from the Microsoft Store. Simply install the application, and it will automatically receive future updates through the Microsoft Store.

First Launch

The first time you start KeyClickOverlay, a one-time reminder is shown explaining that all keyboard and mouse input displayed by the overlay will also appear in recordings, livestreams, and presentations. If you need to enter passwords or other confidential information while recording or streaming, temporarily pause or close the overlay.

After confirming the reminder, KeyClickOverlay opens in Normal Mode and the reminder will not be shown again.

Normal Mode

Normal Mode is used to configure and customize KeyClickOverlay. In this mode, the overlay can be positioned, resized, and its appearance can be adjusted to blend naturally into your workspace.

All configuration options are available through the context menu, which can be opened by right-clicking anywhere on the overlay.

Once you're happy with the configuration, switch to Transparent Mode to use KeyClickOverlay while working, recording, streaming, or presenting.

Transparent Mode

Transparent Mode keeps KeyClickOverlay visible on top of your screen while allowing you to interact normally with the application underneath.

When enabled, the overlay no longer receives mouse clicks or keyboard input. Instead, all input is passed directly to the application that has focus, allowing you to work, present, record, or stream without the overlay getting in the way.

Transparent Mode can be enabled or disabled in three different ways:

• Using the context menu.
• Using the Taskbar Thumbnail Menu.
• Using the customizable shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F12. See Global Shortcuts for more information.

Keyboard & Mouse Visualization

KeyClickOverlay visualizes keyboard and mouse input in real time. This includes:

• Pressed keyboard keys.
• Mouse button clicks.
• Mouse wheel scrolling.

If you prefer to display only keyboard input, right-click the overlay to open the context menu, then select Toggle Mouse.

Window Layout

The KeyClickOverlay window can be freely positioned anywhere on your screen and resized to suit your workspace. If you use multiple monitors, simply drag the overlay to the desired display.

To resize the window, you can:

• Drag any edge or corner.
• Enter an exact width and height using the Window size fields in the context menu.

To reposition the window, you can:

• Drag it with the mouse.
• Use the arrow keys for small adjustments.
• Use Shift + Arrow for larger adjustments.
• Enter exact X and Y coordinates using the Window position fields in the context menu.

All positions and sizes are measured in DIPs (device-independent pixels), ensuring consistent scaling across different display resolutions and DPI settings.

Appearance

KeyClickOverlay's appearance can be customized to match your desktop, application, or recording style. All appearance settings are available through the context menu.

You can customize:

• Mouse color.
• Key text color.
• Key cap color.
• Background color and its opacity.

For the background specifically, you can also:

• Adjust the corner radius.
• Adjust the padding.
• Disable the background entirely for a fully transparent look.

Presets

Presets allow you to save up to 10 different KeyClickOverlay configurations for specific applications, workspaces, or recording styles. Each preset can store its own layout, position, size, and visual settings. Preset management is available through the Save preset submenu in the context menu.

Creating a Preset

To create a new preset:

1. Right-click the overlay to open the context menu.
2. Hover over Save preset .
3. Click Add preset.
4. Enter a name and press Enter.

The current KeyClickOverlay configuration is saved as a new preset, including:

• Appearance settings.
• Window size and position.
• The selected monitor in multi-monitor setups.

Managing Presets

To update an existing preset, first select it from the Save preset submenu.

You can then:

• Rename the preset by double-clicking its name.
• Overwrite the selected preset by pressing Ctrl + S or by clicking the button next to the preset name.
• Delete the preset by clicking the button next to the button.

Switching Presets

Switch between presets using the customizable shortcut Ctrl + Space. See Global Shortcuts for more information.

This is particularly useful if you frequently switch between applications. By assigning the same shortcut to both your application switcher and KeyClickOverlay, the overlay can automatically switch between your last two presets, keeping its appearance and position synchronized with the application you're using.

Preset switching can be enabled or disabled through the context menu or by using the customizable shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Alt + F12.

Overlay Management

KeyClickOverlay provides several tools for managing the overlay during normal use. These can help temporarily stop input visualization, clear stuck input, or restore the application to its original configuration.

Pause Overlay

Pause Overlay temporarily stops KeyClickOverlay from displaying keyboard and mouse input while keeping the application running.

It can be toggled through the context menu or by using the customizable shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F11. See Global Shortcuts for more information.

Clear Overlay

If a key or mouse button remains visible after it has been released, you can clear the overlay to remove all currently displayed input.

The overlay can be cleared through the Taskbar Thumbnail Menu or by using the customizable shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Alt + F11. See Global Shortcuts for more information.

Reset to Defaults

Reset to Defaults restores KeyClickOverlay to its original configuration.

This removes all custom settings, including:

• Appearance settings.
• Window size and position.
• Custom shortcuts.
• All presets.

Reset to Defaults is available through the context menu: Reset to Defaults

Global Shortcuts

KeyClickOverlay provides customizable keyboard shortcuts for its most commonly used features. Most shortcuts work globally, allowing you to control the overlay even while another application has focus.

The default shortcuts are:

• Toggle Transparent ModeCtrl + Shift + F12
• Pause / Resume OverlayCtrl + Shift + F11
• Switch PresetsCtrl + Space
• Enable / Disable Preset SwitchingCtrl + Alt + Shift + F12
• Clear OverlayCtrl + Alt + Shift + F11

All shortcuts can be customized through the context menu.

To change a shortcut:

1. Right-click the overlay to open the context menu.
2. Click the shortcut you want to change.
3. Press the new key combination.
4. Press Esc or click the button to cancel the shortcut configuration.

Default shortcuts can be restored using Reset to Defaults.

Taskbar Thumbnail Menu

The Taskbar Thumbnail Menu provides quick access to commonly used KeyClickOverlay actions without opening the context menu.

To open it, hover over the KeyClickOverlay icon in the Windows taskbar and move your mouse over the thumbnail preview.

The Taskbar Thumbnail Menu provides the following actions:

• Toggle Transparent Mode.
• Pause or resume KeyClickOverlay.
• Clear Overlay.
• Close KeyClickOverlay.

See Transparent Mode and Overlay Management for more information about these features.

Privacy and Security

KeyClickOverlay is designed to visualize keyboard and mouse input while it is active. This includes input entered into password fields and other sensitive information.

If you are recording, streaming, presenting, or sharing your screen, remember to temporarily disable the overlay before entering passwords or other confidential information.

KeyClickOverlay does not record, store, transmit, or share your keyboard or mouse input. All visualization is performed locally on your computer.

For more information, see the Privacy Policy.

Learn More

KeyClickOverlay is an open-source project. While the Microsoft Store is the recommended way to install the application, the complete source code is available on GitHub.

GitHub is also the central place to report bugs, request new features, ask questions, get support, explore the source code, and contribute to the project.