How to disable the Windows Key in Windows x [Total GUIDE]

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Posted: August 2019

  • Have y'all wondered how to disable the Windows primal? Modifying the registry is i solution.
  • Instead of modifying the registry, you tin download a .reg file and use information technology to disable the Windows central.
  • Usually, gaming keyboards accept dedicated software so you lot can check the key settings there.
  • Using a defended third-party tool is another solution of how to disable the Windows primal button.

windows key

XINSTALL By CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE

The Windows Key is rather useful and information technology'due south a part of many shortcuts on Windows 10. Even though many users use it oft, some users desire to disable information technology.

Every advanced Windows user knows how useful Windows Central push button is. Despite its usefulness, the cardinal tin can sometimes be a problem, peculiarly during intense gaming sessions.

By default, pressing the Windows Key will open the Start Menu and that tin be a problem during gaming. By accidentally pressing the Windows button yous'll lose focus on your game and that tin exist a big problem.

In guild to avert these kinds of bug, many gamers disable their Windows Key during the gaming sessions.

In this guide, we're going to evidence how to disable the Windows push button. In that location are a couple of methods y'all tin use from where you tin can choose the best for you.


How tin I disable the Windows Cardinal while gaming?

1. Modify your registry

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit.
  2. Click on OK or press Enter.
    regedit run window disable the Windows Key
  3. Optional: Before you make any changes to your registry it'due south always a good idea to create a backup. To practise that, merely click on File > Export.file export registry disable the Windows Key
  4. Select All as Export range, choose a safe location, enter the desired file proper noun and click on Salve.
    export settings disable the Windows Key
  5. In the left console, navigate to: Figurer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Organization\CurrentControlSet\Command\Keyboard Layout
  6. In the right pane, right-click the empty space and cull New >Binary Value from the menu.
  7. Enter Scancode Map every bit the proper noun of the new value.
    new binary value registry disable the Windows Key
  8. Double click Scancode Map value and enter 00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000 in the Data field.
  9. Be actress cautious and double-check if the entered value is correct. Now click OK.
    edit binary value disable the Windows Key
  10. Later on doing that, shut Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Note: Go on in mind that your registry has sensitive information in it, so if you want to edit it, utilize extra circumspection. If y'all encounter any problems with your PC after modifying the registry, restore the backup created at steps 3-iv.

After your PC restarts, the Windows Primal should be completely disabled. To enable the Windows Cardinal, yous need to go back to Registry Editor and delete the Scancode Map that you created.


2. Use Disable Windows key reg

 regedit

If yous don't desire to modify your registry manually, there'southward a .reg file available that yous tin can use to alter it. Simply download Disable Windows fundamental.reg and run it.

When the warning message appears, click on Yes. If you want to enable Windows Key once again, download and run Enable Caps Lock and Windows keys.reg.

This method is a lot faster and simpler, so if you lot're not comfortable with modifying the registry manually, be sure to try using the .reg file.

This method is smashing if you want to disable Windows Central and foreclose other users from enabling it. Modifying the registry manually might not be the simplest method, but you can e'er use the .reg file to modify it automatically.


3. Use AutoHotkey

disable windows key

If you desire to disable your Windows Key, you lot might want to try using AutoHotkey. This is an open up-source and powerful automation scripting language.

The application allows you to assign certain commands to your keys, simply it also allows you to disable keys. AutoHotkey isn't the simplest application, so you might desire to learn how it works before y'all can employ it correctly.

Basically, you need to create a script that volition block Windows Keys and add that script to AutoHotkey. Simply click AutoHotkey icon in your Taskbar and choose Edit this Script. At present you lot need to paste the following script at the bottom:

          ~LWin Up:: return ~RWin Up:: return                  

Save your script, correct-click AutoHotkey and choose to Reload This Script from the menu. After doing that, both Windows Keys volition be disabled.

Keep in mind that this solution won't disable shortcuts that involve Windows Key, instead, it will simply disable the keys themselves.

It'south worth mentioning that some online games might recognize AutoHotkey as a cheating awarding, and then keep that in mind.

Before you use this solution it'southward always a expert idea to practise some enquiry and check if the game developers permit yous to use AutoHotkey with their game.

Download Autohotkey


4. Use SharpKeys

  1. Download and commencement SharpKeys.
  2. Once the application starts, click on Add.sharpkeys
  3. Now you'll see two columns. Click on Type Key in the left pane and press the Windows Fundamental.
    type key disable the Windows Key
  4. Now click on OK to select the pressed key.
    type key confirmation disable the Windows Key
  5. Select Turn Fundamental Off in the right pane and click on OK to save changes.
    turn key off sharpkeys
  6. Now click on Write to Registry button.write to registry sharpkeys disable the Windows Key
  7. Now you simply have to restart your PC or log out and log dorsum in to apply the changes.
  8. To enable Windows Key once more, first Sharpkeys, select the desired central from the menu, and click on Delete.sharpkeys delete disable the Windows Key
  9. After deleting the key, click on Write to Registry button.write to registry disable the Windows Key
  10. At present restart your PC or log off and back on to apply the changes.

Note: This is a gratis and portable tool that allows you to remap your keys, but it too has the ability to disable keys or to assign them to certain functions. Keep in mind that this is a powerful application, so you're using it at your own take chances.


5. Utilise Gaming way on your keyboard

gaming-keyboard

Many gaming keyboards have a Gaming mode feature that allows you to cake Windows Cardinal with ease. To activate Gaming mode you commonly have to press a sure keyboard shortcut.

Some keyboards even accept a controller icon on 1 of its keys so you tin easily find the shortcut key for Gaming mode. If you tin can't detect the shortcut on your own, we propose you to check your keyboard manual for detailed instructions on how to activate Gaming mode.

Keep in mind that not all keyboards back up this feature, so before you lot can use it you need to check if your keyboard supports information technology. Activating the Gaming style is the simplest and fastest mode to disable Windows Primal, only unfortunately, not all keyboards support this feature.


6. Use your keyboard software

As nosotros previously mentioned, many gaming keyboards support Gaming mode. These keyboards normally accept dedicated software that y'all can use to configure diverse settings such equally macros and lighting.

Proficient Tip: Some PC issues are difficult to tackle, specially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may exist partially broken. Nosotros recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
Click here to download and start repairing.

In improver, you can also plough on Gaming mode from these apps. Go on in heed that non all keyboards and apps support Gaming mode, and so exist certain to cheque your keyboard manual to see if your keyboard supports this feature.


7. Use Winkill

If yous desire to disable Windows Key and its shortcuts, you lot can practice it hands with Winkill tool. This is a pocket-sized and portable awarding and information technology volition run in your systray, so you won't even know that it's running.

One time you start it the application will block Windows Key along with most other Windows Key shortcuts.

Unlike previous applications we mentioned, Winkill allows you to toggle it on or off, and so you lot can easily disable it in one case you're washed with your gaming session.

If needs exist you lot can too plough information technology dorsum on with a unmarried click. Winkill is a simple awarding, and if y'all're looking for a simple and easy manner to disable Windows Key on your keyboard, Winkill might be the best choice for you.

⇒ Download Winkill


8. Employ Disable Windows Key app

windows key disable

Another third-political party application that tin can disable Windows Key for you is Disable Windows Key app. This is a freeware and portable application, and information technology will run on whatever PC without installation.

Later on you lot start the application, it will be located in your systray so you won't fifty-fifty know that it's running.

The application allows a fleck of configuration, so you can start it automatically with Windows if you like. You lot tin likewise set up the awarding to automatically disable the Windows Central in one case y'all kickoff information technology.

Of form, the application allows you to toggle it on or off simply by clicking its icon.

Disable Windows Keyapp will disable Windows Central, but it won't disable whatever shortcuts that utilise it, which is a major plus.

If you're looking for a unproblematic and friendly tertiary-party solution that will permit yous to disable the Windows Key, be sure to endeavor this application out.

⇒ Download Disable Windows Key


nine. Apply WKey Disabler

wkey disabler

There are many third-party applications that tin disable Windows Cardinal, and one of these applications is WKey Disabler. Simply like previous apps that we mentioned, this is a freeware and portable application and it will run from your systray.

The application doesn't have whatever advanced features, and you tin can't even toggle information technology on or off. Equally soon as you start the application your Windows Key and all its shortcuts will be automatically disabled.

Since there'due south no way to toggle the application off, the only mode to enable Windows Key once again is to disable the app. WKey Disabler is a simple tool, and if yous want to disable your Windows Key, experience free to try it.

⇒ Download WKey Disabler


x. Utilize Registry Editor to cake Windows Primal hotkeys

  1. Open Registry Editor.
  2. When Registry Editor opens, from the left panel go to: : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  3. Correct-click the empty space in the right panel and choose New > DWORD (32-flake value).
  4. Enter NoWinKeys as the proper noun of the new DWORD.
    new dword disable the Windows Key
  5. Double click NoWinKeys DWORD to open its properties.
  6. Set Value data to 1 and click OK to salve changes.
    value data disable the Windows Key
  7. Later you're done, close Registry Editor and restart your PC to apply the changes.

Note: Once your PC restarts you won't be able to use Windows Key shortcuts at all. This is useful if you want to forbid users from accessing certain subconscious features of your organisation by using Windows Key shortcuts.

If you want to disable Windows Key only, yous might want to try some other solution.


xi. Use Group Policy Editor

  1. Press Windows Cardinal + R and enter gpedit.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
    gpedit.msc run window disable the Windows Key
  2. Now navigate to the User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer in the left pane.
  3. In the correct pane, locate and double click Turn off Windows Primal hotkeys selection.
    turn off windows key hotkeys disable the Windows Key
  4. Select Enabled option and click on Utilize and OK to save changes.
    enable policy turn off windows key hotkeys
  5. Afterward doing that, restart your PC and check if that solves the problem.

Note: This is a simple solution, only it should disable simply Windows Fundamental shortcuts. If you demand to disable the Windows Primal entirely, yous might want to try a different solution.

Learn how to edit the Grouping Policy similar an expert with the help ofthis useful guide.


Windows Key is incredibly useful, but information technology tin can sometimes be a trouble during intense gaming sessions. There are many means to disable it, and the best i is to set your keyboard to Gaming mode.

If the keyboard doesn't support this feature, you can easily disable Windows Key by using any of our solutions.

If you take whatever other suggestions or questions, get out them in the comments section below and nosotros'll surely take a wait.