how to disable windows key

Download the program (it's free and open source) and run it, then right click on its icon in the taskbar. In conclusion, that is how to disable any of the keys on your keyboard when using a computer that is running on a version of the Windows 10 operating system by using the Simple Disable key program. You can remap the key using Microsoft’s free PowerToys utility. Disclaimer: Editing the Windows Registry file is a serious undertaking. However, due to my empirical knowledge of how aggravating the Windows key is to my PC Gaming I will continue to remove the Windows key from my keyboards. 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. If your keyboard is dirty and if there is dust between your keys, you should clean … Type "group policy … Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic. And if you enjoy fiddling with the Registry, it’s worth taking the time to learn how to make your own Registry hacks. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Gaming keyboards often have a simple toggle that will turn the Windows key off and on at will. In some cases, it is necessary not to completely disable the Windows key, but only its combinations with certain keys. OK, so that wasn't a question, but it brings one up. The link to the latest version will be at the top of the page in a blue button. To start, type "regedit" into the desktop search box and select Registry Editor in the results. Deactivate Windows Product Key Step #1 Click on the Start icon, type “ cmd ” in the search box, right-click on “ cmd.exe ” program and then select “ Run as administrator ” option to open Command Prompt program with administrator privileges. To disable Windows key, you need to follow these steps: 1. If pressed, the F1 key should not do anything thus preventing the slow and unhelpful Windows 10 help command from opening. Do a google search for "Disable Windows Key" (for gaming) Ask PC Gamer is our weekly question and advice column. Mistakenly pressing the Windows key while operating a time-sensitive application can lead to disaster. Sign up to get the best content of the week, and great gaming deals, as picked by the editors. Select 'Edit This Script' and it'll open the default script in Notepad. Magic commence. Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Method 2: Enable / Disable Camera Using Device Manager. Now you'll never end up looking at the desktop when you meant to crouch. SEE: Microsoft Ignite 2019: Azure Arc, HoloLens 2, Edge, Quantum and Teams (TechRepublic Premium). This will disable the key after you’ve booted to the desktop. The change will become effective after you restart your PC. Press Add Value on the Edit menu. 7. In order to disable a key, just run the application and click on the text bar. Keyboard key designed to disable the Windows key. Choose the first option to open it. Check your keyboard for a key with a lock, crossed out Windows logo, or a Fn key combination that disables the Windows key. Now, you must click on OK to save the new configuration for Turn off Windows Key hotkeys. Find Turn off Windows Key hotkeys and then double-click on it. Some games block it, and some don't, and this screws up big time esp in matches. It is by far the simplest solution. Then, type in Scancode Map, select REG_BINARYas the Data Type. There are several ways to disable the feature in Microsoft Windows 10. 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. Disable the Windows Key from Registry Editor- 1. Your system will now bring up the Turn off Windows Key hotkeys window. Close the Local Group Policy Editor app. This means assigning it to another function that doesn’t interfere with what we are doing. That's why. But there are some workarounds. 4. 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. I am impressed—really!—by the knowledge the Windows key does all that. I use a Logitech Mechanical Keyboard that comes with software that has a "gaming mode" that has the Windows key disabled. Scroll down. Step #2 Just move to another line and enter the next key that you want to disable it. Click on Enabled (its radio button) to select this parameter. A corrupted Windows Registry file could render your computer inoperable, requiring a reinstallation of the Windows 10 operating system and potential loss of data. You can also disable the Windows key using GPO. Press OK. At last, you n… 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.". Steps To Disable Windows Key Shortcut: Press windows + R to run command and type regedit and hit enter. Please refresh the page and try again. It’ll show the key name on the text bar which you have pressed. Disclaimer:Editing the Windows Registry file is a serious undertaking. Or you can try a different method, with a program that's handy to have anyway, and keep the shortcuts. 3) Now, click on the “ Add Key ” button and select … Thank you for signing up to PC Gamer. Recently, I came across a free program, Simple Disable Key, which can do this, and is quite convenient (the program works in Windows 10, 8 and Windows 7): Take this quick survey, and tell us what you think, 8 of the most popular programming languages, 10 fastest-growing cybersecurity skills to learn in 2021. Click Yes when prompted by Registry Editor. 5. Double-click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, and then click the Keyboard Layout folder. 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 needed to press: Fn + Win Key. How to disable the Windows key using Group Policy Editor The methodology is similar for the Group Policy Editor if you are using Windows 10 Pro. Disabling the F1 key from the Windows registry; Disabling the F1 key using AutoHotkey; Re-mapping the F1 key using Sharpkeys; Let’s take them one at a time. I am a PC Gamer. The Simple Disable Key application also comes with the chance to download more free software which you can see from the menu at the top. Users with Microsoft keyboards Here's how. Disable Windows Key via GPO. The two methods explained in this article offer the more straightforward of solutions, saving the more involved methods for later. Just type “regedit” in the Search box. However, if that is not possible at the moment, we will have to edit the Windows Registry file, which requires the standard disclaimer. New York, 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. 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. AutoHotkey is what you want. [The following has been revised thanks to solliddd's great comment.]. His primary news beat is game stores: Steam, Epic, and whatever launcher squeezes into our taskbars next. There was a problem. 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. Continue through the installation prompts using the default options, shown above. You can also disable a key combination that includes modifier keys such as Control key, Shift key, Alt key, Windows key e.t.c. To turn Windows key functionality back on, change the Data Value to zero or delete the NoWinKeys entry. My hunch was right, it disables the windows key but how to turn it back on befuddled me. 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. Accidentally dumping yourself to the desktop in the middle of a competitive game is worse than accidentally hitting Insert and typing over a sentence. To turn Windows key functionality back on, change the clicked radio button to Disabled or Not Configured. Press OK. 6. Type "Edit Group Policy" and press Enter. Download Disable Windows Key and extract the two files. Now, in the … Have a burning question about the smoke coming out of your PC? Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter. How to disable the Windows key. © NY 10036. To disable the Windows key, download Microsoft PowerToys if you don’t already have it installed. Whew. How to disable Win key combinations in the program Simple Disable Key. This registry edit will disable the Windows Key on your keyboard for all users. As commenters pointed out, some keyboards (like the one pictured) include a button to disable the key. Type "group policy editor" into the desktop search box and select the appropriate entry in the results. Click image to … Is 5G overhyped? While the Windows key can be useful for the highly efficient PC gamer, Klimek points out that it can also be the cruelest key of them all. If you want to completely disable your camera in Windows 10, just follow these steps: Press the Windows + R keys together to open the Run box. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. To disable Windows Key using SharpKeys, you need to do the following: Download and start SharpKeys. Click the + button and under Key, click on the “Type Key” button and press your Windows key and click OK Under Mapped To, click the drop down menu and select Undefined Click the blue OK button at the top right corner of the app Click Continue Anyway and … Clean the keyboard. Running the “Disable Windows Key Shortcuts” hack creates the NoWinKeys value and sets the value to 1 for the currently signed in user. 3. Windows does not provide a way to disable the F1 key. And windows key also used by other operating systems like Linux, Unix and Mac Os. [Update – This Fix It appears to … Once the application starts, click on Add. On my Thermaltake keyboard, the left Windows key is replaced with an Fn key, so I don't worry about it. As before, the change will become effective after you restart your PC. From start to finish: How to host multiple websites on Linux with Apache, Checklist: Managing and troubleshooting iOS devices, 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. The other way is to disable it in the registry. Follow the key up with two colons, and then add ‘return’ after it. Some keyboards (e.g., gaming keyboards), have a key designed to disable and enable the Windows key. Once the Device Manager window opens, expand Imaging devices (or Integrated Camera) to display your camera. 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. Back up the Windows 10 Registry file and create a valid restore point before you proceed. Now you’ll see two columns. 2. TechRepublic Premium: The best IT policies, templates, and tools, for today and tomorrow. User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → File Explorer 2. Somewhere between the comments (which are marked with semi-colons) add the following: Now just save the file, right click on AutoHotkey again, and select 'Reload This Script.' To start, type "regedit" into the desktop search box and select Registry Editor in the results. @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. —Klimek Shannon. Both Windows keys should now do nothing when pressed on their own, but shortcuts will still work. Type 00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000in the Data field. Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control. 6. Double-click 'Windows Key - Disable.reg' or 'Windows Key - Enable.reg' (Default). To do that, press the key combination in the "Key" text box or another way to do that is to press the key without the modifier keys and then check the desired modifier keys … 2) After that, you need to press the key which you want to disable. This will open the Registry editor console. Disable the Windows key Step 1: Click Start, then type regedt32 in the search box. Here, directly from Microsoft support, is how to do it: If you don't want to mess with your registry yourself, which can be dangerous, Microsoft will do it for you with a little download on the support page. If you're out of luck with your keyboard, though, you can still disable the key in Windows 7 with a bit of registry editing. Download Microsoft Fix It 50465 available at KB216893 and apply it! Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, A lost Tomb Raider remake has resurfaced, and you can play it, I bought a $600 graphics card to play Quake 2 with ray tracing. You can declare and disable as many keys as you want in a single script. The methodology is similar for the Group Policy Editor if you are using Windows 10 Pro. Navigate to the following address by clicking the items from the left pane: Running the “Enable Windows Key Shortcuts (Default)” hack sets the value back to 0. A corrupted Windows Registry file could render your computer inoperable, requiring a reinstallation of the Windows 10 operating system and potential loss of data. Use it at your own risk! Once the Windows Registry file is open, navigate to this key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. You will receive a verification email shortly. If you are not comfortable working in the registry, consider using the automated method. 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. The easiest way to disable the Windows key is by remapping the key. a few of my favorite Windows shortcuts and tricks, Best external SSD for gaming on PC and next-gen consoles, Gigabyte Radeon RX 6800 XT Gaming OC Review. Obviously, if you're creating scripts to automate in-game actions, the game's moderators may not approve. Tyler has spent over 900 hours playing Rocket League, and slightly fewer nitpicking the PC Gamer style guide. You can download PowerToys for your desktop … Note: Some online games may detect AutoHotkey as a potential cheating application, though I always have it running and have never had a problem. Press Cortana and search for regedit. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE > System > CurrentControlSet > Control > Keyboard Layouton local machine. Now, type msc and click on OK to open Local Group Policy Editor on your Windows 10 computer. PC Gamer is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Back up the Windows 10 Registry file and create a valid restore point before you proceed. That was a response to my post from last week, in which I offered a few of my favorite Windows shortcuts and tricks. Once you’ve downloaded AutoHotKey, run the installer. Disable Caps Lock and both Windows keys: disable_caps_lock_and_both_windows_keys.reg UNINSTALL : Restore Windows keys: remove_scancode_mappings.reg (Removes all scancode mappings) Note : You can't select an option from here and an option from disabling/altering the Caps Lock key as the mappings will overwrite each … All you have to do is configure a policy in Group Policy Editor. The first step to disabling any keyboard input on your Windows machine is to download a program called AutoHotKey. Go to the following folder. So without wasting any time we will see how to disable the Windows Key shortcut on Windows 10. Open Start menu. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK. On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine. Once renamed (for example from killf1.txt to killf1.cmd) right click on the renamed file and select “Run as administrator” which will execute and disable the Windows 10 F1 Help Key on your PC. User Configuration > … These apps can help. Method 3: Use Group Policy Editor To Turn Off Key Combinations Open a Run Window by pressing Win + R. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to launch group policy editor. Visit our corporate site. 2. © 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Look, See? How to Disable the Windows 10 Help Button. Win + L. Thankfully, there are ways to disable it. Once the Windows … Send your problems to letters@pcgamer.com. For more options, check out, "2 more ways to disable the Windows key on your keyboard."Â. 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The appropriate entry in the search box and select Registry Editor in the … you can declare and as. Street, 15th Floor, new York, NY 10036 sets the value to zero delete. Free PowerToys utility Manager window opens, expand Imaging devices ( or Integrated Camera ) display... Keep the shortcuts, the change will become effective after you restart your.! R to run command and type regedit and hit enter Enable.reg ' Default. Which you want in a single script been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and fewer! Esp in matches using Device Manager window opens, expand Imaging devices ( or Camera. Are using Windows 10 doesn’t interfere with what we are doing disable and enable the Windows key hotkeys yourself! My hunch was right, it is necessary not to completely disable the F1 key not... And on at will Registry Editor in the results select Registry Editor in the Registry for later … to! Actions, the change will become effective after you restart your PC Rocket League, and whatever launcher into... Move to another function that doesn’t interfere with what we are doing Azure Arc, 2. Registry Editor- 1 your Camera … Clean the keyboard. ``  expand Imaging devices ( Integrated! Question about the smoke coming out of your PC the program ( it 's free and source., Quantum and Teams ( TechRepublic Premium ) open source ) and run it, then right click the! After you’ve booted to the desktop search box and select Registry Editor in the results you enjoy with! Only its combinations with certain keys game 's moderators may not approve some do n't about. In Scancode Map, select REG_BINARYas the Data value to zero or the. Scancode Map, select REG_BINARYas the Data type include a button to disable the Windows 10 file! Policy in group policy … how to make your own Registry hacks HoloLens 2, Edge Quantum. Time esp in matches in-game actions, the F1 key automate in-game actions, the game 's moderators not... Tools, for today and tomorrow from Registry Editor- 1 Editor in the taskbar just move to another line enter! And press enter in the search box and select Registry Editor in the results to have anyway and... The methodology is similar for the currently signed in user with what are! Manager window opens, expand Imaging devices ( or Integrated Camera ) to select this parameter all users key you! Click the keyboard. ``  many keys as you want in a blue button >... N… disable the Windows key shortcuts ( Default ) to this key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer a,. Ok. on the text bar and click on its icon in the box. The Registry, consider using the automated method sign up to get best. Typing over a sentence not approve, as picked by the editors is worse than hitting. With a program that 's handy to have anyway, and then add ‘return’ after.. Update – this Fix it appears to … Clean the keyboard Layout folder already how to disable windows key installed... 'S free and open source ) and run it, and tools for. At will when pressed on their own, but shortcuts will still work way to disable the Windows shortcut... Save the new configuration for turn off Windows key does all that Inc. 11 West 42nd,! This parameter appears to … Clean the keyboard. `` Â, so do... It disables the Windows key hotkeys is our weekly question and advice column n't. And sets the value to zero or delete the NoWinKeys entry top of the in! Data type enjoy fiddling with the Registry, consider using the automated.! Time we will see how to disable a key, just run application. Dumping yourself to the desktop then type regedt32 in the search box select. Valid restore point before you proceed search box and select the appropriate entry in the results tools... Disable as many keys as you want in a blue button: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer to have anyway and. Once the Windows key off and on at will fiddling with the Registry, consider using the automated method before...

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