Since keys.dat is not an official file, if you want to change your controls or fix graphical glitches, you need to understand the configuration file: gta_vc.set .
Right-click your gta-vc.exe shortcut and select Run as Administrator to give the game proper write access to your Documents folder. Advanced Customization: Editing keys.dat
A corrupted or missing keys.dat file is usually the root cause of several notorious Vice City PC bugs:
Unlike .ini files, keys.dat is a compiled binary file, not a plain text file.
If your controls reset every time you open the game, check if keys.dat is marked as Read-Only . Right-click the file > Properties > Uncheck "Read-only." gta vice city keys.dat
Unlike the binary gta_vc.set file, which is generated by the game, keys.dat is a supporting file. It's often used by mods or trainers as a key-value store, linking specific game actions to keyboard keys or controller buttons. It's typically a plain-text file, making it easily accessible for quick adjustments.
This article dives deep into what the keys.dat file is, where it is located, why it breaks, and—most importantly—how to fix or regenerate it without reinstalling the entire game.
Are you playing the or the Definitive Edition ?
At the center of Vice City’s control mapping system is a single, easily overlooked file: . Understanding how this file works, where to find it, and how to fix it is essential for anyone looking to enjoy a seamless trip down Vice City's neon-lit memory lane. What is the keys.dat File? Since keys
While official configuration relies on gta_vc.set , keys.dat exists within the modding scene. It's typically associated with a specific program called a trainer designed to modify the game and, as its name suggests, "unlock all of the hundreds of codes".
: Binary, little-endian, fixed structure (~300–500 bytes). Contains:
: This file maps specific keyboard keys to trainer functions (like infinite health, spawning cars, or changing the weather).
action_name = ACTION_NAMES.get(action_id, f"UNKNOWN_0xaction_id:04X") key_name = DIK_NAMES.get(dik_code, f"DIK_0xdik_code:02X") mods = [] if flags & 1: mods.append("Ctrl") if flags & 2: mods.append("Shift") if flags & 4: mods.append("Alt") mod_str = "+".join(mods) if mods else "" If your controls reset every time you open
The keys.dat file is a configuration file used by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (and its predecessor, GTA III) to store your customized keyboard and mouse bindings. Every time you change a control in the in-game settings—such as swapping the handbrake key or changing the radio cycle button—the game writes that data directly into this binary file.
Often, trainers come with their own version of keys.dat . Ensure the trainer's .exe and the keys.dat are together in the same directory as gta-vc.exe .
If the trainer still doesn't see the file, ensure all four trainer files ( keys.dat , vc_trainer.exe , and any associated .dll or .ini files) are in the of your game, not just in the "User Files" or a separate subfolder.