I would like to change the default symbol of the Dollar ($) key to display the English Pound (£) symbol. The current language in Windows is configured as English (United States). The computer is running Windows XP Media Centre Edition and Microsoft Office 2000.

I have researched this question quite heavily, and unfortunately have been unable to find a method to change the Dollar ($) key to display the English Pound (£) symbol. My original thoughts involved configuring Windows to use the English (United Kingdom) keyboard layout. This can be done by going into the ‘Regional and Language Options’ control panel and selecting ‘English (United Kingdom)’ on the Regional Options tab. This will configure the computer to use Regional Settings for the United Kingdom, including the UK keyboard layout. The layout of UK keyboards is slightly different to the US keyboard (which is likely the type of keyboard attached to your computer). If you visit www.microsoft.com/globaldev/reference/keyboards.mspx and select ‘United Kingdom’ you will see the keyboard layout for UK keyboards is different to US keyboards. This will cause problems, since the labelled keys on your keyboard will not match their actual function (i.e. what is typed on-screen). For example, on a US keyboard layout the 2 key doubles as the @ symbol key. On a UK keyboard layout, the 2 key doubles as the ‘ symbol key. In any case, the 4 key doubles as the Dollar ($) key on both US and UK keyboard layouts, so changing the layout will not alter the behaviour of this key. Just for your interest, on a UK keyboard layout the 3 key doubles as the Pound (£) key.

So, probably the only solution is to use the Windows hotkey for the Pound symbol: ALT+0163. In other words, hold the ALT key and type 0163 on the numeric keypad, then release the ALT key. NB: You must use the numeric keypad to enter the number sequence.