A programmable remote control unit and method. The remote control unit includes a remote control configuration file request message generating circuit configured to generate a remote control configuration file request message, the remote control configuration file request message comprising operating characteristics of the remote control unit having information about a usage characteristic of a user of the remote control unit. A transmitter is configured to send the remote control configuration file request message to a remote control configuration file generating circuit. A receiver is configured to receive the at least one remote control configuration file. A memory is configured to store the at least one remote control configuration file. A remote control configuration circuit is configured to configure the remote control unit in accordance with the at least one remote control configuration file.