3. I hope you are using minimum Windows 7 because previous operating systems are not anymore supported by Microsoft. Some games block it, and some don't, and this screws up big time esp in matches. For more options, check out, " 2 more ways to … You can also force Game Mode on in specific games, whether they're tested by Microsoft or not. 5. Gaming keyboards often have a simple toggle that will turn the Windows key off and on at will. Back up the Windows 10 Registry file and create a valid restore point before you proceed. Navigate to Ease of Access and click on it. However, if you don’t want to use a third-party application, there is still an option to lock the keyboard … This procedure is compatible with computers and notebooks, regardless which brand are you using. If the issue is with your Computer or a Laptop you should try using Restoro which can scan the repositories and replace corrupt and missing files. These apps can help. 1 Why You May Want To Turn Off Windows Key! I enabled it via that and my key is back. In the first method, we will use combination keys to activate or deactivate Windows key. Click on "+" button given under "Key:" section to tell Windows which key do you want to disable. Select Settings from the menu. To turn Windows key functionality back on, change the clicked radio button to Disabled or Not Configured. There are different reasons why Windows key is not working, including keyboard issue, system settings, game settings or application settings. Your settings have been saved, and you’re free to close PowerToys and use your computer as usual. If you are one of the users who want to disable Windows key when playing games, you will be able to do it after reading this article. The Windows key will be disabled immediately. Also, if you want to disable Windows key, you will need to download and run registry key from this LINK. The one I was tinkering with didn't do anything even though it's enabled then I found another hidden at the Info Page where it's disabled. Follow the above-mentioned steps to disable any other specific key like Windows key, tab key, or insert key. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK. On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine. If cleaning your keyboard did not solve your problem, we are recommending you to replace your keyboard with the new one. Many of the usual solutions that allow you to disable key inputs on Windows are now outdated. So, why this problem occurs? If your Windows, does not have the Group Policy Editor, you can use the Registry Editor to turn off the Windows key. These methods will make sure you don’t have to press the Fn key + Function Key to perform a particular function. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic. © 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Click Recovery in the left panel. To turn Windows key functionality back on, change the Data Value to zero or delete the NoWinKeys entry. Now you can select the desired key from the given drop-down box. Hi, I'm Jasmin. Both options will do the trick. That's why. Apparently there are TWO System Configurations in Armoury Crate. If Windows key is not working properly, you will not be able to to this actions. Double-click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, and then click the Keyboard Layout folder. Are you using gaming keyboard? How to re-enable the Windows key. How to Reenable the Windows Key. Please read instructions on this LINK, and follow the procedure of on the method 4, from step 1 to step 7. This works for only Windows Laptop. If you are using a notebook, please plug USB keyboard on your notebook and check is working properly. Disabling the hotkey functionality of the Windows key in Microsoft Windows 10 is not difficult, and there are several possible methods users can employ to change that particular key's behavior. We will show you how to solve the issue by using 5 different methods. Method 1: Use device manager to disable the keyboard in Windows 10. If yes, you should press this key to enable or disable Windows key. This does not support any arrangement. It can be a hardware issue, or a bug due to the latest Windows 10 … For example, you can disable absolutely everything, or set the keyboard to inactive while running certain programs, something that may come in handy while playing certain video games where accidentally pushing 'windows' or 'escape' is a fatal mistake. Previously, you could toggle Game Mode in the Windows … Go to Keyboard Manager tab and make sure "Enable Keyboard Manager" toggle button is set to ON. A corrupted Windows Registry file could render your computer inoperable, requiring a reinstallation of the Windows 10 operating system and potential loss of data. These methods are compatible with operating systems from Windows XP to Windows 10. Microsoft PowerToys Unlike other ways of remapping keys like using SharpKeys and the Windows Registry, you won’t have to log out or reboot for your change to take effect. The … Few users solved their problem by pressing Win Lock key on their gaming keyboard, including keyboard model Logitech G15. It'll open a new window. Under most circumstances, accidentally pressing the Windows key is a harmless annoyance, however, when operating a time-sensitive application, like a game for example, it could result in a disastrous, rage-inducing, tantrum of frustration. I did find this post in my internet travels, which basically says “To turn Win-Lock On or Off, press the Windows Key and Space Bar” In my case, that was incorrect. I'm happy to share my knowledge and skills through addressing tech issues and writing how-to's in a way that it can be followed by everyone. If not, you should read next method. Scroll down until you find the "Keyboards" section, and click to expand it. Based on that, we are recommending you to clean your keyboard. From start to finish: How to host multiple websites on Linux with Apache, Understanding Bash: A guide for Linux administrators, Image: Julian Vojtech, Getty Images/iStockphoto, Comment and share: How to disable the Windows key on your keyboard. Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Best robots at CES 2021: Humanoid hosts, AI pets, UV-C disinfecting bots, more, How to combat future cyberattacks following the SolarWinds breach, LinkedIn names the 15 hottest job categories for 2021, These are the programming languages most in-demand with companies hiring, 10 fastest-growing cybersecurity skills to learn in 2021. My hunch was right, it disables the windows key but how to turn it back on befuddled me. There are two main methods through which you can Enable Function keys. Find your keyboard under the keyboard section. 4) Select “Always” option and click on the OK button.After that click on the OK button on the main screen and you are done!. 2.1 Method 1: Modify Keyboard Settings Or Use Gaming Mode On Your Keyboard; 2.2 Method 2: Use The Official Microsoft Registry Hack; 2.3 Method 3: Use Group Policy Editor To Turn Off Key Combinations; 2.4 Method 4: Use Third-Party Apps; 3 Conclusion It works for all Laptop manufacturers like Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Acer, Samsung, Toshiba and others. Also, try pressing “Fn + Windows” key which can sometimes get it working again. Once the Windows Registry file is open, navigate to this key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. Step 7. Disable Windows key must be disabled for games: The user runs it simply, and automatically it blocks the Windows Key when the full-screen game mode is on. With the help of the Windows key on a standard Microsoft Windows 10 keyboard, users can access dozens of configuration settings, features, and applications with convenient keyboard shortcut combinations. Leaked Video of the Upcoming ROG Phone reveals a Secondary Display on the back, Leaks Suggest Xiaomi Would Launch Mi 11 & Redmi Note 10 Lineup in India, Nvidia clarifies its position regarding the ‘downgrade’ of its G-Sync Ultimate Standard, Qualcomm Launches Snapdragon 870 5G Chipset With The Highest High Clock Speed In The World For A Smartphone SoC, Xiaomi Launches New Mi NoteBook 14 (IC) in India: Top End Model Runs i5, 8GB RAM & Nvidia MX250. The settings save automatically, so you can close the utility and use your computer as usual. You can download Restoro by clicking the Download button below. Are you using gaming keyboard? Here’s how to re-enable the Windows key if you change your mind and want to go back to the default keyboard. If you never used a key but keep press on it accidentally, you can select the always mode to disable it. It's fixed now. Navigate to this folder: User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\File Explorer, Click on the File Explorer entry, as shown in Figure D. Scroll down the list of configuration settings displayed in the right-hand window until you find the entry "Turn off Windows Key hotkeys.". In the Predator keyboard I got the windows key is moved to the right of space bar and literally no chance of being pressed accidentally. Now, type msc and click on OK to open Local Group Policy Editor on … Before you do any registry configuration, we are recommending you to backup registry database. Why do you need to do registry backup? Win + L. Type “ regedit ” (without the quotes) Navigate to this key Also, you can use Windows key in combination with another key. Okay, well shit. If another keyboard is working properly on your machine, you will need to purchase a new keyboard. Most of the methods discussed below involve the use of third-party utilities to lock the keyboard. In the case of some misconfiguration, you can revert registry database to the previous state when everything worked without any problems. After that, the Windows key should be disabled. The two methods explained in this article offer the more straightforward of solutions, saving the more involved methods for later. First, let me state for the record that the absolute best way to disable the Windows key while gaming is by purchasing and using a gaming keyboard with a built-in disable function. Disable the Filter Keys option. I am a System Engineer and IT Trainer with over 10 years of experience. How to Install Custom Themes and Visual Styles in Windows 10 If you are using gaming keyboard, please check is there Win Lock key located on your keyboard. If you press Windows key, you will open the Start menu. 6] Keyboard Driver issue Right-click on the Windows Key, and open Device Manager. Please follow the procedure below. Enable (and disable) Game Mode. Once you have opened the Registry Editor window, click on “File” and then click on “Export“.. Then, save the exported registry to a favorable location on your drive. Click on the keyboard you want to disable, then right-click it to reveal a list of options. If you're using Windows 8.1, click Change PC settings. Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings. Running the “Enable Windows Key Shortcuts (Default)” hack sets the value back to 0. Always mode disables the key all the time. Click Update & Security (Windows 10) or Update & recovery (Windows 8.1). 1. Before purchasing a new keyboard, please check is your brand name computer, keyboard or notebook under warranty. Double-click the Turn off Windows Key hotkeys entry and click the Enable radio button, as shown in Figure E. Click OK and then close the Group Policy Editor. If yes, the vendor will replace your keyboard for free. That’s how you know if your Windows key is currently enabled or disabled. To turn Windows key functionality back on, change the clicked radio button to Disabled or Not Configured. @JackE Windows key location is right beside Ctrl used in many games, and this tends to bring up desktop if the game does not block it. Disclaimer: Editing the Windows Registry file is a serious undertaking. 5 Windows admin tasks you can automate using PowerShell, Checklist: Securing Windows 10 systems (TechRepublic Premium), Microsoft Ignite 2019: Azure Arc, HoloLens 2, Edge, Quantum and Teams, 2 more ways to disable the Windows key on your keyboard, How to become a software engineer: A cheat sheet, 10 free alternatives to Microsoft Word and Excel, Choosing your Windows 7 exit strategy: Four options, Microsoft Office 365 for business: Everything you need to know, The 10 most important iPhone apps of all time, It takes work to keep your data private online. TechRepublic Premium: The best IT policies, templates, and tools, for today and tomorrow. For more options, check out, "2 more ways to disable the Windows key on your keyboard.". 2. In order to enable a previously disabled key you will have to choose the key row on the grid and press the “Remove” button on the right.Afterward, press the “OK” button on the main screen. To disable filter keys, use the instructions below: Right-click on your Start menu icon. The methodology is similar for the Group Policy Editor if you are using Windows 10 Pro. Now, in the search result, you have to click on the “Registry Editor“. I needed to press: Fn + Win Key. Click on it to enable or disable it. Running the “Disable Windows Key Shortcuts” hack creates the NoWinKeys value and sets the value to 1 for the currently signed in user. To disable or turn off desired key, click on "Remap a key" button. Method 2: Press Win Lock. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Click on the Explorer key, as shown in Figure A. Right-click on an empty spot in the right-hand window and select New | DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it NoWinKeys, as shown in Figure B. Double-click the NoWinKeys entry and change the Data Value to 1, as shown in Figure C. Click OK and then close regedit. After that, the Windows key should be disabled. Now everytime I press it a notification pops up saying "Windows Key is disabled". It is by far the simplest solution. This how-to tutorial explains how to disable Windows key hotkey functionality by editing the Windows Registry file and by changing settings using the Group Policy Editor. If combination keys are not working well, you will need to enable Windows key through Registry Editor. Magic commence. As before, the change will become effective after you restart your PC. Another technique is to force the keyboard to use a driver that it … I am holding multiple IT certifications focused on IT Infrastructure, including CompTIA A+, Network+, Server +, CNIP, MTA, MCP, MCSA, MS, IT Academy and many others. 2 How To Disable Windows Key In Windows 10! Type "group policy editor" into the desktop search box and select the appropriate entry in the results. On my Latitude 7480, the Fn graphic on the F6 key is Scroll Lock. There can be various reasons behind the odd Windows key behavior on Windows 10. How to do registry backup? After that, you will need to download and run registry file from this LINK. Windows key disabled. How to Enable and Disable the Windows Key. SEE: Microsoft Ignite 2019: Azure Arc, HoloLens 2, Edge, Quantum and Teams (TechRepublic Premium). How to Enable and Disable the Windows Key Method 1: Press Fn + F6 or Fn + Windows Keys. If your keyboard is dirty and if there is dust between your keys, you should clean your keyboard. 2. If not, you should read next method. If you’ve previously disabled your Windows key and want to re-enable it, you can use the same PowerToys utility to do so: If … However, if that is not possible at the moment, we will have to edit the Windows Registry file, which requires the standard disclaimer. There are several ways to disable the feature in Microsoft Windows 10. To start, type "regedit" into the desktop search box and select Registry Editor in the results. The change will become effective after you restart your PC. If you can not find Win Lock key, please read the technical documentation of your gaming keyboard. Right click > Properties > Driver See if you can roll back the driver. Before purchasing new keyboard you should test your computer keyboard on another machine or plug another keyboard to your current computer or notebook. Disable Key is a small application that, as its name implies, allows you to disable any key on your keyboard. For example, if you press Windows key + E you will open Windows Explorer or File Explorer, if you press Windows key + R, you will open a Run dialog box and many others combination keys. Just type “regedit” in the Search box. Method 1: Disable the Windows Key from Registry Editor-1. The Windows key will be disabled immediately. For this method, you will need to use a user account with Administrator privilege, because Standard user account is not allowed to do any system changes. Mistakenly pressing the Windows key while operating a time-sensitive application can lead to disaster. The key will be disabled during this period of time. And if you enjoy fiddling with the Registry, it’s worth taking the time to learn how to make your own Registry hacks. Sometimes, dust can block some of your keys, including Windows key. Open the Device Manager by tapping the Windows key, then type "Device Manager" into search and click on the first... 2. Out of curiosity, for the people where Fn+F6 disables the Windows key, what is the icon on that key to indicate that functionality? Windows key is located on every keyboard, and we are using this key for various actions. Hey, So I was cleaning my laptop while turned on (i know, a dumb move) and I pressed a bunch of buttons and disabled the Windows key. For example, Simple Disable Key is no longer freeware. HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > … Pressing the Alt key can sometimes completely block all key inputs thereafter. This works in most cases, where the issue is originated due to a system corruption. This feature makes your keyboard ignore brief or repeated keystrokes, which might have led to your WinKey issue in Windows 10. If you’re accidentally hitting these keys without knowing, it can cause major inconveniences and confusion. In my case, I would like to disable the Home key and click the Disable Key option. If you need the key to always be disabled but don’t want to be bothered running it each time you boot up your system, you can create a shortcut to the AHK script and add it to the Startup folder, or you can just move the original script file to the Startup folder. Please, press Fn + F6 to activate or deactivate Windows key. If the Windows key is disabled, it will show a small red “X” over the icon, and when it is enabled, the “X” will be gone. How to disable the Windows key. And you can follow these instructions one by one to successfully disable the Windows Key on your PC via Group Policy Editor: At first, open the Windows Run on your PC by pressing Windows Key + R on your keyboard. At last, click Apply and click Yes to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. How to Disable a Laptop Keyboard in Windows 10 If you want to disable your laptop keyboard in Windows 10 , there are two safe methods: disable it in Device Manager or permanently uninstall it. 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