How to disable or change the keyboard Windows key
Below are recommended steps for disabling the Windows key on your keyboard in Windows. The availability of these steps depend on the keyboard you have and the software that's installed.
Keyboard key designed to disable the Windows key
Some keyboards (e.g., gaming keyboards), have a key designed to disable and enable the Windows key. Check your keyboard for a key with a lock, crossed out Windows logo, or a Fn key combination that disables the Windows key.
Users with Microsoft keyboards
Users of keyboards designed by Microsoft, who have keyboard software installed, can disable or alter the function of their Windows key by following the steps below.
- Open the Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, double-click the Keyboard icon.
- In the Keyboard Properties window, under the Key Settings, you'll be able to adjust the Windows key functionality.
If you are using a non-Microsoft brand keyboard or did not install the included software, you will not have the Key Settings section in the Keyboard Properties window.
All users
It is possible to change or disable the functionality of the Windows keys through the Windows registry. However, we highly recommend using KeyTweak, a free utility that lets you re-map and disable any key on the keyboard. This utility also can correct any improper re-maps that are made.
A download for this utility is available on Digital Trend's website.
Once downloaded and installed, run the program and re-map or disable the Windows keys. In this program, they are keys 59 and 63. Once changes are made, you'll need to restart the computer for them to take effect.