Disabling Alt-Tab and Other Keys

I have been researching all over the internet for a way to disable the Alt+Tab key combination, and possibly the Windows key as well. There was even a post about this particular topic in this forum (Disabling alt+tab screen? Please help), but it was inconclusive. Registry edits do not seem to work, at least not in Windows 7. I was wondering if there is any way to disable these keys safely. I'm creating a security application that will lock a computer until the correct password is entered. I cannot have people using Alt-Tab or other key combinations while this program is active. Alt-Tab is specifically a problem because it's possible for a user to switch to open programs by using it, hence giving them access to the machine (I don't want to interrupt programs that are running when my program is activated). Also, whatever method used to lock or disable these keys must be able to be used through command prompt since I'm creating this program with a batch file (with some C++ as well). It could be an executable or whatever, but I can't really use a key mapping program because it needs to be automatic when the program is started. Maybe I could use some C++ code to disable these keys? If so, I would really appreciate it if complete code could be posted to do this (as I'm not very savvy with C++ quite yet). I also need something to disable the key restrictions and something to re-enable them separately. Thanks in advance and I hope that I can finally find a solution to this annoying problem! :)

PooMan UK- Thank you for trying to help but I have tried that solution before. I need the change (disabling Alt-Tab and any other keys) to take effect immediately. Like I said, I don't want to disrupt the programs that are running when my program is started. Since you must restart the computer or log out and back in for the registry changes to take effect, this isn't an option for me. I've used many registry changes already in my program (they are safe and tested so don't worry) and they take effect immediately, so why won't these changes take effect immediately as well? It's really annoying!

notsograymatter- I'll take a look into that. I know that it's not explorer.exe because my program kills that process already. Thanks for your help!

Why not run your program as a service and just lock the workstation?

See this page.

Disabling Alt Tab - Vista Forums

See if you can use the AutoHotKey option.

MacGyvr said:

Why not run your program as a service and just lock the workstation?

That would be too simple. I want to create my own program to lock a workstation. My program even runs at startup and replaces the Windows shell (explorer.exe). Once this program is started you basically can't access the system until the correct password is entered. If you enter the wrong password three times you are logged off. I just thought it would be fun to create something like this, and it's going to be a really cool tool (at least I think) when it's finished. Eventually it will have it's own desktop overlay (kind of like the normal Windows lockout feature) to keep users from accessing open programs while the program is active. Anyway... that's why. lol

Bill2 said:

See this page.

Disabling Alt Tab - Vista Forums

See if you can use the AutoHotKey option.

Thanks, Bill2! I'll see if I can get this program to work (since it doesn't have to be installed). I'll post results once I'm finished! Hopefully someone else can benefit from this thread since it's caused me so many problems.

Problem solved! I was able to use AutoHotKeys to successfully (and effectively) disable the Alt-Tab key combination. For anyone interested, here's how to do it:

1) Download the zip file located here: http://www.autohotkey.com/download/AutoHotkey.zip (or download the installer http://www.autohotkey.com/download/A...keyInstall.exe).

2) Open up AutoHotKey and go to File > Edit Script (or create your own script file by opening up notepad and creating a .ahk file).

3) The ONLY code that you have to type to disable the Alt-Tab key combination is "!Tab::return" (without quotes). That's it! All lines beginning with a semicolon ( ; ) are comment lines and you can just ignore or erase them. If you view the help file and read just a little bit you can disable just about any Windows hotkeys that you want. Experiment a little!

4) Now, if you want the file to be portable like I did (without needing AutoHotKey to be installed) you can use the compiler included with AutoHotKey that will convert your file to an executable for you! If you downloaded the zip file, find the "Compiler" folder after you have extracted. If you downloaded the installer, find AutoHotKey in your Start Menu and find the "Convert .ahk to .exe" link.

5) Enjoy being able to use your file on any computer without the need for AutoHotKey to be installed!

I'd also like to thank Bill2 for suggesting this to me. Thanks for helping me with this annoying problem!