Reference number: CH000949

How do I disable or change the keyboard Windows key?

Question:

How do I disable or change the keyboard Windows key?

Reasons:

Many users want to disable the Windows key because of the issues that arise when it is mistakenly pressed while in another program such as a game.

Answer:

Below are two recommended steps for disabling the Windows key on your keyboard in Windows. The availability of these steps depend on the type of keyboard you have and the software that is installed for that keyboard.

Users with Microsoft keyboards

Users who have keyboards designed by Microsoft and also have the software drivers installed for those keyboards can easily disable their Windows keys or change how they behave by following the below steps.

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel double-click the Keyboard icon.
3. In Keyboard Properties under the Key Settings you'll be able to adjust what the Windows Key.

All users

Although this is possible through the Windows registry we highly recommend KeyTweak, a great small and free utility that allows you to remap as well as disable each of the Windows keys as well as any of the other 108 keys on the Keyboard. This utility will also correct any improper remaps that have been done by using the steps suggested on other sites.

A download for this utility can be found at: http://webpages.charter.net/krumsick/

Once downloaded and installed run the program and remap or disable the Windows keys, in this program they're keys 59 and 63. Once changes have been made you'll have to reboot the computer for them to take affect.

Additional information:

• See our Windows key dictionary definition for additional information and related links about this term.
• Additional information about disabling or changing keys on your keyboard can also be found on document CH000954.