On windows I use Autohotkey [1] to remap keys (capslock to backspace, qwerty to colemak, etc...), no registry hacks required. You just have to remember to run the script on startup.
Some time ago I used it to quickly change my layout from qwerty to colemak, and often it couldn't keep up with my speed (and I'm an average typist: ca. 65 WPM), which resulted in wrong order of characters. I tried both interpreted and compiled version - no difference. It wasn't a beefy machine, though, so with your i5s and 8 gigs it may work well ;-).
[1]: http://www.autohotkey.com/