Hello, I'm looking for a solution to when I want to type "→" using "ras" on my Windows 8 computer. By typing the letters "r+a+s" autocorrect changes this to a right arrow (→). I'm using my mac now to do this, which was simply done by going to System Preferences → Keyboard → Text (screenshot attached). Is there a way to do this in Windows? I know how to do this for Microsoft Office programs but not for general use. Please let me know if this is possible. Thank you!
You can cut and paste from the built in Character Map application (cumbersome) or (perhaps even worse) you can enable unicode entry in the registry and enter them manually (http://www.eightforums.com/software-apps/45109-unicode-input-windows-8-1-a.html). For example for right arrow you would enter Alt + 2192 (you must use the numbers above the keyboard to enter unicode and a numeric keypad to enter ASCII).
Alternatively you can download The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator and assign a specific key combination to the symbol you want (for example Alt-gr + some key if you don't use the RHS control button in your language). This is an old program but still works in 8.1. (and 10). I use it to enter French accents in Windows using a UK MacBook Keyboard.
Here I added right Arrow to AltGR + R for example...
