Windows Key - Enable or Disable

How to Completely Disable the Windows Key​

   Information

This tutorial will allow you how to completely disable the Windows key for all users in Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

Here's How: 1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Re-enable the Windows Key A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below. Re-enable_Windows_Key.reg

Download


3. To Disable the Windows Key A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below. Disable_Windows_Key.reg

Download


4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC - Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC - Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

8. Restart the computer to fully apply.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Enable or Disable Windows Key Shortcuts in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Set Start Screen to Open on Last or Main Display when Pressing Windows key in Windows 8.1

 

[Azure Prower]

Thumbs up for this article.

 

[ToSlow]

Been reading

Just want to thank you gent's and ladies for this forums ,i have learned a lot from the info here. Thank you

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[s7ven]

hi brink,

thank you for this tutorial,,it really pisses me off when im playing and i accidentally press that stupid key. Is there anyway for me to know which are the affected registry key when i merge your files. thanks

 

[Dwarf]

It is also possible to disable this, and other keys, if using a Microsoft keyboard with the Intellitype driver.

 

[Brink]

Hello Dwarf,

Yes you sure can. To make it easy, you could also use a free program like SharpKeys to do this for other keys.

 

[fseal]

OR...

You can get a logitech gaming KB (like the G15) which has a switch to turn the key on and off when you are gaming or not

I use the key all the time at the desktop but switch it off when gaming.

 

[onlytanmoy]

thanks a lot dear Brink...i can now disable the windows key on my keyboard while gaming

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome onlytanmoy.

 

[amoretam]

Hi there, I tried this... but I dont really want the Windows key to be disabled... what I really want is to disassociate this key with the start menu..
That is because I use the Windows key in another program assigned to an action... know what I mean??

Thanks a lot

 

[Brink]

Hello Amoretam,

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure that's possible.

 

[Anydo]

Can I suggest a third party program for this? You can prevent the windows key from opening the start menu (but still working with win+key shortcuts) with the rather well known classic shell. Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements

Run Classic start menu settings, go to controls, under Windows Key select "nothing".

Not sure if it'll mess with anything else automatically, and it does integrate into windows to do its thing.