How To Disable Windows Key On Your Computer

The Windows key is a handy and helpful function if you frequently use hotkeys. There are many key combinations in Winkey that are very useful. However, if you are a gamer, the windows key can suddenly become your downfall.

Many users face the issue of accidentally pressing the Windows key in the middle of their game. You will be directly booted from the game, and the start menu will open. Additionally, in fast-paced games and FPS games, a second pause means defeat or in-game death.

For the Window key that has become a thorn in the side of many gamers, here’s how to disable it.

How to Disable Windows Key?

Disabling the windows key is easy if you know how to do it. Third-party applications also make it easy to do. However, if you don’t like the idea of ​​letting third-party applications tweak your settings, you can also configure the system files yourself to disable Winkey.

Here are six ways to disable the Windows key in your Windows.

Using Microsoft Power Toys

Microsoft Power Toys is an application provided and updated by Microsoft. You can use Power Toys to change and customize the features to your liking and, most importantly, disable the windows key.

It’s also easy to disable Windows keys using Microsoft Power Toys. Follow the steps below.

1. Install Microsoft Power Toys using the Microsoft Store.
2. TOMORROW Microsoft Power Toys.
3. selection Keyboard Management from the sidebar and click on the Open Settings. (Open settings will not be shown if you have used PowerToys before.)
   
4. Select the Remap a key option. (Be sure Enable Keyboard Manager toggled.)
5. Click on ‘+‘ sign and hit kind. (A new window asking you to select a key will appear.)
   
6. Press the Windows key and click it’s ok.
7. Underneath Map Ofclick the dropdown option, and select Disable.
   
8. Press it’s ok.

Now your Windows key is disabled. If you want to disable your other Windows key, do the same for this one. To recreate the Windows key, click the trash can icon and press OK.

Using AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey is a custom scripting language for Windows primarily aimed at hotkeys. Unlike Winkill, AutoHotkey is not only focused on disabling the Windows key but can completely disable Winkey.

Additionally, you don’t need any programming knowledge to disable the Window key using AutoHotkey. Follow the steps below to disable Winkey via AutoHotkey.

1. Downloads AutoHotkey and run the setup file to install it.
2. Go to any folder on your computer and right-click.
3. selection New and click on AutoHotkey Script. (You can name the file anything you want.)
   
4. Right-click on the file and select Change the Script.
5. Delete the previous default entries and type LWin::return.
   
6. Save the file and exit.
7. Double click on AutoHotkey script, and the Windows key will be disabled.
8. To reset the Windows key, right-click on the AutoHotkey system tray icon and press out.
   

If you also want to disable your right window key, edit the AutoHotkey script and add RWin::return UNDER LWin::return. RWin stands for the correct Window key. Right-click on the Autohotkey system tray icon and press Reload the Script to disable the right windows key.

If you want to disable only the Windows key and not the hotkeys, right-click the AutoHotkey system tray icon and press . Suspend Hotkey.

Using Gaming Mode

Some keyboards have a gaming mode where they automatically disable the Windows key. Each compatible keyboard has a different way of activating it. Check your user manual to see if it has a play mode and how to activate it.

Some keyboards use key combinations, and some even have physical switches built into the keyboard to disable Winkey.

Game mode is one of the easiest ways to disable your Windows key. However, not all keyboards have this feature.

Using the Registry Editor

Registry Editor is another way to disable Windows without downloading any additional applications. However, to implement this method, you need to change your registry files a bit.

First, it is recommended to backup your registry before making any changes. Please see our article for backing up your registry.

To disable Winkey using the Registry Editor, follow the steps below.

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run Window.
2. kind regedit and press entry. Click yea in the popup dialog box.
3. on Editor of the Registernavigate to:
   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout.
4. Right-click on an empty area and select New.
5. Choose Binary Value and name it Scancode Map.
   
6. Double click on Scancode Map and enter 00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000 of Value Data. (You must type the numbers continuously without spaces.)
7. Press it’s ok and get out of Editor of the Register.
8. Restart your pc.

Be sure to back up your registry editor before following the steps. If you run into any issues along the way, restore your registry editor to your saved backup.

Using Winkill

Winkill is the easiest way on the list to disable the Windows key, but you need to download a third-party application. It is also public domain and open source software that has been around for over eight years.

Winkill is very lightweight and does not use system resources. To set up Winkill, download and extract Winkill to your computer.

After the download, Winkill’s icon will sit in your system tray. Click once to enable it and click again to disable it.

When the Windows key is disabled, Winkill will show a red ‘X’ on its icon, and the red ‘X’ will disappear when it is active.

Finally, Winkill didn’t start as a startup app; you need to open it every time you restart your pc.

Using the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor is an advanced tool used to manage a network of computers, but you can also use it to customize a computer’s settings. However, this method only disables the Windows hotkey and does not disable Winkey itself.

Follow the steps below to disable the Windows hotkey using the Local group policy editor.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run window.
2. kind gpedit.msc and press entry.
3. Double click on Administrative Templates in the sidebar.
4. Double click on Windows components and navigate to File Explorer option.
5. Double-click the Turn off Windows Keys Hotkey, and a new window will open.
6. selection powered and press it’s ok.
7. Restart the PC.

If you want to enable it again, select Not configured or Disabled in step 6. Finally, the Group Policy editor is not available in Windows Home edition. It is only available for Pro and Enterprise edition.