Every keyboard has a Windows key, which we use for a variety of functions. You can access the Start menu by pressing the Windows key. Additionally, Windows keys can be used in conjunction with other keys. Pressing the Windows key + E, for instance, opens Windows Explorer or File Explorer. Pressing the Windows key + R, on the other hand, opens the Run dialog box, among many other combination keys. You will not be able to do these activities if your Disable Windows key is not functioning properly. So why does this issue arise?
Application Setting to Disable Windows Key
Windows key not working can be caused by a number of things, such as a keyboard problem, system, game, or application settings.
We’ll walk you through five distinct approaches to solving the problem. Operating systems ranging from Windows XP to Windows 10 can be used with these techniques. Since Microsoft no longer supports older operating systems, I hope you are at least using Windows 7. After reading this post, you will be able to disable the Windows key if you are one of the users who wants to do it when playing games.
Method 1: Use the Windows Keys or Fn + F6 keys.
To activate or deactivate a Windows key, we’ll use combination keys in the first way. Kindly hit the keys Fn + F6 to enable or disable the Windows key. Whichever brand of computer or laptop you are using, this process works with them. Additionally, you can try hitting the “Fn + Windows” key to see if that fixes the issue.
Method 2: Click Win Lock
Do you use a keyboard for gaming? If not, proceed to the next method. Please make sure the Win Lock key is present on your gaming keyboard if you are using one. In that case, you need to hit this key to activate or disable Windows key. A small number of customers, particularly those using the Logitech G15 gaming keyboard, were able to resolve their issue by pressing the Win Lock key. Please refer to your gaming keyboard’s technical documentation if you are unable to locate the Win Lock key.
Method 3: Modify Registry configurations
If combination keys are not functioning properly, you must use Registry Editor to enable the Windows key. We advise you to back up your registry database before making any registry configurations. Why is a registry backup necessary? If there was a misconfiguration, you could restore the registry database to the earlier version when everything was operating well. Because the Standard user account is not permitted to make any system changes, you will need to utilize an account with Administrator privileges in order to use this approach. How do I create a registry backup? Kindly go through the instructions found at this LINK and follow steps 1 through 7 of method 4. Following that, you must download and open the registry file from this LINK. Also, you must download and run the registry key from this LINK if you wish to disable the Windows key.
Method 4: Make the keyboard clean.
You should clean your keyboard if it is unclean and if there is dust in between the keys. Dust can occasionally obstruct several of your keys, including the Windows key. We advise you to clean your keyboard in light of that. Kindly adhere to the steps listed below.
Regarding Computer:
Unplug the computer’s keyboard.
Make the keyboard clean.
Re-plug the keyboard
Check the Windows key
For notebook:
- Turn off your notebook
- Unplug the AC DC adapter from the notebook
- Unplug the battery from the notebook
- Clean the keyboard
- Plug battery back
- Plug the AC DC back
- Turn on your notebook
- Test Windows key
Method 5: Replace the keyboard
If cleaning your keyboard did not solve your problem, we are recommending you replace your keyboard with a new one. Before purchasing a new keyboard, you should test your computer keyboard on another machine or plug another keyboard into your current computer or notebook. If you are using a notebook, please plug the USB keyboard into your notebook and check is working properly. If another keyboard is working properly on your machine, you will need to purchase a new keyboard. Before purchasing a new keyboard, please check if your brand-name computer, keyboard, or notebook is under warranty. If yes, the vendor will replace your keyboard for free.
FAQS
How do I enable the Windows key again?
So, the first thing you should do is go through the fixing methods we’ve outlined above:
- Checking your Start Menu.
- Disabling Game Mode.
- Using the Win Lock key.
- Disabling the Filter Keys option.
- Enabling the Windows logo key via Windows Registry.
- Restarting Windows/File Explorer.
- Updating your drivers.
How do I disable Windows key functions?
Type Edit group policy in the Start menu search bar. Right-click on the Best match result and select Run as administrator. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer. Double-click on the Turn off Windows Key Hotkeys option on the right-hand side
