How to disable the windows key

Mondo Technology Updated on 2024-02-23

The Windows key is a very useful shortcut, but in some cases you may want to disable it, such as to prevent accidental touches when playing games or doing full-screen operations. Here are a few ways to disable the Windows key in your Windows system:

Press Win + R, type regedit in the pop-up run dialog box, and then press Enter to open the registry editor.

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the hkey local machine system currentcontrolset control keyboard layout.

Right-click in an empty space, select New -> binary value, and then rename the new binary value to ScanCode Map.

Double-click the scancode map, enter 000000000000000000003be000000005ce00000000000 in the pop-up Edit Binary Data window, and then click OK.

Restart your computer and the Windows key is disabled.

The disadvantage of this method is that it is complicated and can cause system problems if you are not careful.

There are third-party software that can easily disable Windows keys, such as SharpKeys, KeyTweak, etc. All you need to do is install the software and then follow the software's instructions to disable the Windows key.

The advantage of this method is that it is simple to operate, and the disadvantage is that it requires the installation of additional software.

SharpKeys: This is a simple and easy-to-use tool that allows you to remap your keyboard. Here are the steps on how to disable the Windows key using SharpKeys:

*and install sharpkeys.

Open SharpKeys, click"add"。

In the list on the left, find the Windows key (possibly labeled"left windows"or"right windows"), and then select it from the list on the right"turn key off", and then tap"ok"。

Click"write to registry"。

Restart your computer.

Note that Sharpkeys actually disable the Windows key by modifying the registry, so use it with caution.

KeyTweak: This is another tool that can remap your keyboard. Here are the steps on how to disable the Windows key using KeyTweak:

*and install keytweak.

Open Keytweak and you'll see a visual keyboard layout.

Tap the Windows key you want to disable (left or right) and then click"disable key"。

Click"apply"and restart your PC.

Again, note that KeyTweak also disables the Windows key by modifying the registry, so use it with caution.

These software usually have detailed how-to guides that you can refer to for more information. Also, changing the keyboard layout can affect your experience, so make sure you understand the impact of these changes before disabling any keys.

Some keyboards have a game mode feature that allows you to disable the Windows key by pressing a specific key on the keyboard, such as a G or a game mode icon. The advantage of this method is that it is easy to operate, and the disadvantage is that not all keyboards support this feature.

Some premium keyboards, especially gaming keyboards, offer a so-called"Game mode", which disables or remaps certain keys, including Windows keys. This is to prevent accidentally pressing the Windows key while playing the game, which can interrupt the game.

Game mode settings may vary for each keyboard, but in general, here are the steps on how to enable Game Mode:

Look for the game mode key on your keyboard. This key is usually marked with a G or a game controller icon.

Press this key. You may need to press the fn key at the same time (if your keyboard has one).

Some keyboards will have an indicator to tell you if the game mode is enabled. If you're not sure if Game Mode is enabled, you can try pressing the Windows key to see if it still happens.

If your keyboard doesn't have a game mode, or you're not sure if your keyboard has a game mode, you can consult your keyboard's user manual, or visit the manufacturer's ** for more information.

Also, if you're playing on Windows 10 or later, you can also use Windows Game Mode. This mode can be enabled through the game option in Windows settings, and it optimizes your PC's performance for a better experience when playing. However, this mode doesn't disable the Windows key, so if you want to disable the Windows key, you may also need to use third-party software or your keyboard's game mode.

Please note that all of the above methods only temporarily disable the Windows key, and you will need to undo it if you want to restore the functionality of the Windows key. When editing the registry or using third-party software, it is recommended to back up the relevant settings first to prevent problems.

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