Paste it into the exact same directory on the target computer.
: It is often found alongside "Ultimate" versions of the game or specific mod packs that simplify the control scheme for players who find the default PC controls cumbersome. Where to Find and Install It keys.dat gta vc
While modern games use highly readable file formats like JSON or XML for configuration settings, older titles like GTA Vice City rely on binary or heavily encoded structures. Paste it into the exact same directory on
| Symptom | Cause | Solution | |---------|-------|----------| | Controls revert to defaults on every launch | keys.dat is or located in a write-protected directory (e.g., Program Files on modern Windows). | Run game as Admin or move installation outside of Program Files . | | Specific key does nothing; others work | Corrupted byte at that action’s offset (e.g., 0x00 stored instead of valid scancode). | Delete keys.dat (regeneration fixes) or manually hex-edit. | | Mouse axis inverted (e.g., look up/down swapped) | Not stored in keys.dat ; controlled by SET FILE or gta_vc.set in Documents . | keys.dat is not the culprit. | | Game crashes on Options → Controller Setup | Very rare; indicates full disk or file permission error. | Check free space and file permissions. | | Delete keys
It is a crack, CD-key storage, or license file — despite the misleading name.
If you open it in Notepad, you will see a mess of unreadable symbols and text strings. Modifying it with a standard text editor will corrupt the file entirely.