diff --git a/web/history.md b/web/history.md
index dd9e80727b..3b1fcca013 100644
--- a/web/history.md
+++ b/web/history.md
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 ## 13.0 alpha
 * Start version 13.0
 
+## 2019-09-06 12.0.81 beta
+* For keyboards compiled with Developer 12.0 onward, default key caps will no longer be provided. (#2045)
+
 ## 2019-09-04 12.0.80 beta
 * Fixed issue with 'pt' and unitless font size specifications for keyboard layouts (#2033)
 * Slightly enhanced error logging for internal events (#2037)
diff --git a/web/source/osk/defaultLayouts.ts b/web/source/osk/defaultLayouts.ts
index f8624b3f79..f6088746ff 100644
--- a/web/source/osk/defaultLayouts.ts
+++ b/web/source/osk/defaultLayouts.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
    Copyright 2017 SIL International
 ***/
 
+///<reference path="../utils/version.ts"/>
+
 namespace com.keyman.osk {
   let Codes = com.keyman.text.Codes;
 
@@ -109,12 +111,13 @@ namespace com.keyman.osk {
     /**
     * Build a default layout for keyboards with no explicit layout
     *
-    * @param   {Object}  PVK         keyboard object (as loaded)
-    * @param   {number}  kbdBitmask  keyboard modifier bitmask
+    * @param   {Object}  PVK             keyboard object (as loaded)
+    * @param   {Object}  kbdDevVersion   object representing the version of Developer that compiled the keyboard
+    * @param   {number}  kbdBitmask      keyboard modifier bitmask
     * @param   {string}  formFactor
     * @return  {Object}
     */
-    static buildDefaultLayout(PVK, kbdBitmask: number, formFactor: string): LayoutFormFactor {
+    static buildDefaultLayout(PVK, kbdDevVersion: utils.Version, kbdBitmask: number, formFactor: string): LayoutFormFactor {
       let keyman = com.keyman.singleton;
       let util = keyman.util;
 
@@ -248,9 +251,9 @@ namespace com.keyman.osk {
                 if(kx >= 0 && kx < layerSpec.length) key['text']=layerSpec[kx];
               }
 
-              // Fall back to US English keycap text as default for the base two layers if not otherwise defined.
-              // (Any 'ghost' keys must be explicitly defined in layout for these layers.)
-              if(isDefault) {
+              // Legacy (pre 12.0) behavior:  fall back to US English keycap text as default for the base two layers
+              // if a key cap is not otherwise defined. (Any intentional 'ghost' keys must be explicitly defined.)
+              if(isDefault && kbdDevVersion.precedes(utils.Version.NO_DEFAULT_KEYCAPS)) {
                 if(key['id'] != 'K_SPACE' && kx+65 * isShift < Layouts.dfltText.length && key['text'] !== null) {
                   key['text'] = key['text'] || Layouts.dfltText[kx+65*isShift];
                 }
diff --git a/web/source/osk/visualKeyboard.ts b/web/source/osk/visualKeyboard.ts
index ab629036d6..beffc245cc 100644
--- a/web/source/osk/visualKeyboard.ts
+++ b/web/source/osk/visualKeyboard.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 /// <reference path="activeLayout.ts" />
+/// <reference path="../utils/version.ts" />
 
 namespace com.keyman.osk {
   let Codes = com.keyman.text.Codes;
@@ -591,7 +592,8 @@ namespace com.keyman.osk {
 
       // Build a layout using the default for the device
       if(typeof layout != 'object' || layout == null) {
-        layout=Layouts.buildDefaultLayout(PVK,kbdBitmask, formFactor);
+        let kbdDevVersion = new utils.Version(activeKeyboard['KVER']);
+        layout=Layouts.buildDefaultLayout(PVK, kbdDevVersion, kbdBitmask, formFactor);
       }
 
       // Create the collection of HTML elements from the device-dependent layout object
@@ -2093,7 +2095,8 @@ namespace com.keyman.osk {
 
       // Else get a default layout for the device for this keyboard
       if(layout == null && PVK != null) {
-        layout=Layouts.buildDefaultLayout(PVK,keymanweb.keyboardManager.getKeyboardModifierBitmask(PKbd),formFactor);
+        let kbdDevVersion = new utils.Version(PKbd['KVER']);
+        layout=Layouts.buildDefaultLayout(PVK, kbdDevVersion, keymanweb.keyboardManager.getKeyboardModifierBitmask(PKbd),formFactor);
       }
 
       // Cannot create an OSK if no layout defined, just return empty DIV
diff --git a/web/source/utils/version.ts b/web/source/utils/version.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3d43ee7ea8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/source/utils/version.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+namespace com.keyman.utils {
+  // Dotted-decimal version
+  export class Version {
+    // Represents a default version value for keyboards compiled before this was compiled into keyboards.
+    // The exact version is unknown at this point, but the value is "good enough" for what we need.
+    public static readonly DEVELOPER_VERSION_FALLBACK = new Version([9, 0, 0]);
+
+    // For 12.0, the old default behavior of adding missing keycaps to the default layers was removed,
+    // as it results in unexpected, bug-like behavior for keyboard designers when it is unwanted.
+    public static readonly NO_DEFAULT_KEYCAPS = new Version([12, 0]);
+
+    private readonly components: number[]
+
+    /**
+     * Parses version information, preparing it for use in comparisons.
+     * @param text Either a string representing a version number (ex: "9.0.0") or an array representing
+     *             its components (ex: [9, 0, 0]).
+     */
+    constructor(text: String | number[]) {
+      // If a keyboard doesn't specify a version, use the DEVELOPER_VERSION_FALLBACK values.
+      if(text === undefined || text === null) {
+        this.components = [].concat(Version.DEVELOPER_VERSION_FALLBACK.components);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if(Array.isArray(text)) {
+        let components = text as number[];
+        if(components.length < 2) {
+          throw new Error("Version string must have at least a major and minor component!");
+        } else {
+          this.components = [].concat(components);
+          return;
+        }
+      }
+
+      // else, standard constructor path.
+      let parts = text.split('.');
+      let componentArray: number[] = [];
+
+      if(parts.length < 2) {
+        throw new Error("Version string must have at least a major and minor component!");
+      }
+
+      for(let i=0; i < parts.length; i++) {
+        let value = parseInt(parts[i], 10);
+        if(isNaN(value)) {
+          throw new Error("Version string components must be numerical!");
+        }
+
+        componentArray.push(value);
+      }
+
+      this.components = componentArray;
+    }
+
+    get major(): number {
+      return this.components[0];
+    }
+
+    get minor(): number {
+      return this.components[1];
+    }
+
+    toString(): string {
+      return this.components.join('.');
+    }
+
+    equals(other: Version): boolean {
+      return this.compareTo(other) == 0;
+    }
+
+    precedes(other: Version): boolean {
+      return this.compareTo(other) < 0;
+    }
+
+    compareTo(other: Version): number {
+      // If the version info depth differs, we need a flag to indicate which instance is shorter.
+      var isShorter: boolean = this.components.length < other.components.length;
+      var maxDepth: number = (this.components.length < other.components.length) ? this.components.length : other.components.length;
+
+      var i: number;
+      for(i = 0; i < maxDepth; i++) {
+        let delta = this.components[i] - other.components[i];
+        if(delta != 0) {
+          return delta;
+        }
+      }
+
+      var longList = isShorter ? other.components : this.components;
+      do {
+        if(longList[i] > 0) {
+          return isShorter ? -1 : 1;
+        }
+        i++;
+      } while (i < longList.length);
+
+      // Equal.
+      return 0;
+    }
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/unit_tests/cases/versions.js b/web/unit_tests/cases/versions.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bd77a9039d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/unit_tests/cases/versions.js
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+var assert = chai.assert;
+
+describe('Version Logic', function() {
+  this.timeout(kmwconfig.timeouts.standard);
+
+  before(function(done) {
+    this.timeout(kmwconfig.timeouts.scriptLoad);
+    setupKMW(null, done, kmwconfig.timeouts.scriptLoad);
+  });
+  
+  after(function() {
+    teardownKMW();
+  });
+  
+  it('Should provide a default, fallback value when nothing is specified', function() {
+    var fallback = new com.keyman.utils.Version(undefined);
+    assert.isTrue(fallback.equals(com.keyman.utils.Version.DEVELOPER_VERSION_FALLBACK));
+  });
+
+  it('Should properly process a simple major.minor version string.', function() {
+    var version = new com.keyman.utils.Version("1.2");
+    assert.equal(version.major, 1);
+    assert.equal(version.minor, 2);
+  });
+
+  it('Should handle long/deep version specifications.', function() {
+    var version = new com.keyman.utils.Version("1.2.3.4.5.6");
+    assert.equal(version.components.length, 6);
+    assert.equal(version.major, 1);
+    assert.equal(version.minor, 2);
+  });
+
+  it('Should properly compare two versions.', function() {
+    var v9_0_1 = new com.keyman.utils.Version("9.0.1");
+    var v9_1_0 = new com.keyman.utils.Version("9.1.0");
+    var v10_0 = new com.keyman.utils.Version("10.0");
+    var v10_0_0 = new com.keyman.utils.Version("10.0.0");
+
+    // "Precede" checks
+    assert.equal(v9_0_1.compareTo(v9_1_0), -1);
+    assert.equal(v9_1_0.compareTo(v10_0_0), -1);
+    assert.equal(v9_0_1.compareTo(v10_0_0), -1);
+
+    // Equality checks
+    assert.equal(v9_0_1.compareTo(v9_0_1), 0);
+    // Tests equal versions where one omits the build number.
+    assert.equal( v10_0.compareTo(v10_0_0), 0);
+
+    // Ensures the first "precede" check's return is flipped when the order's flipped.
+    assert.equal(v9_1_0.compareTo(v9_0_1), 1);
+  });
+    
+});
\ No newline at end of file