How To Disable Windows Key In Windows 10

If you have ever played a game, you know how annoying it is to accidentally press the Windows key and then unexpectedly jump back to the Windows taskbar where the Windows Start-up pops up. The Windows Key is a needed key on a keyboard. Many people who like to play games like to disable it because it annoys them and makes them lose focus from their gaming session.

Through this article, we are going to introduce you to some ways through which you can disable the Windows Key.

How to disable the Windows key using Group Policy Editor?

The most favorite option of doing it is to disable the Windows key using the group policy editor. And it is a straightforward process that you can use to disable Windows Key hotkeys in Windows 10/11. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Cortana, type in run, and press Enter.
2. To open the run, Choose the first result.
3. To enter Group Policy, type in gpedit.msc and then enter.
4. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
5. Turn off Windows + X hotkeys option and then double-click on it.
6. Choose Enabled.
7. You will see a pop-out window. Press Apply and OK to save the changes.
8. Restart your PC.

Following these steps should do the task unless you mess something up. Check and review if you’ve successfully disabled the windows key. If yes, enjoy your game without interruptions. And if not, then try another method of disabling the Windows key mentioned below in the article.

How can I disable the Windows Key while gaming?

Below are some more ways with which you can disable Windows key:

1. Use WinKey Killer or WinKill
2. Edit the Registry
3. Using Remap Keyboard PowerToy
4. Use Gaming mode on your keyboard
5. Use your keyboard software
6. Using a Reg File
7. Using Third-Party Applications
8. Use HotKeys to disable WinKey
9. Use the Disable Windows Key app

Use WinKey Killer or WinKill

To download WinKey Killer or WinKill, follow the steps stated below:

1. Download the Winkey Killer software from here.
2. Launch it and select the option of disabling the windows key.

It is observed by users that the Winkey or WinKiller does not seem to work with the newer version of windows. If this doesn’t work for you, go with the next step mentioned below.

Edit the Registry (Manually)

Firstly you might need to disable WinKey Killer or WinKill to let editing the registry work properly. And for the same, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Run application from the start menu and type in regedit. In the pop-up message select Ok to open the Registry editor.
2. Click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on the Local Machine on the window menu.
3. Double-click the SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, then click the Keyboard Layout folder.
4. Click New to add Value on the Edit menu. Then, type in the Scancode Map.
5. As for the Data Type, select REG_BINARY.

6. In the Data Field, Type 00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000
7. Press OK.

After following all these steps, the final step is to reboot your PC.

To keep your registry key safe when you reboot your PC, you may back it up before restarting it.

Now for enabling the Windows key, follow these steps:

1. Open Regedit again
2. On the Local Machine, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE.
3. Double-click the SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, then click on the Keyboard Layout folder.

4. Right-click on the Scancode Map registry entry, then click Delete.
5. Restart your PC. And Close registry editor tab.

You may backup your registry first, just like you do when disabling WinKey Killer or WinKill. Check if you’ve accomplished the task successfully.

Using Remap Keyboard PowerToy

For achieving the same, you can also try using the Remap keyboard PowerToy. And so, you will need to install this application on your system. For disabling the windows key using the Remap keyboard PowerToy, follow the below steps:

1. Download Remap Keyboard PowerToys from here.
2. Now, Run the Application.
3. Once you successfully launch the application, click on Keyboard Manager.
4. From there, select Remap a Key.
5. Now, click on the ‘+’ button. And click over the Type Key button under Key.

6. And at last, press WinKey before pressing OK. 

And that is how you do it.

Using Gaming mode on your keyboard(if applicable)

If you are a hardcore gamer, then you might also have a keyboard supporting the gaming mode. If yes, then this fix is for you! Many gaming keyboards have a function that allows you to disable the Windows key, and you can use the same. To disable the Windows key with the help of the gaming mode on your keyboard, follow the steps below to do that :

1. Locate where the shortcut key is for activating gaming mode on your keyboard.

Note: For step one, you can directly search your keyboard model over the internet and check if your keyboard supports the gaming mode. And also the shortcut key for enabling/disabling the gaming mode.

2. Once you get the shortcut key, press it. And you’ll be free from the obstructions between your game.

Before doing all this, make sure your keyboard has a shortcut key by checking your keyboard manual.

Using keyboard software (if applicable)

Usually, certain keyboards have special software that helps you change settings and turn on Gaming mode. For this, follow the below steps :

1. Go to the manufacturer’s website.
2. Look for the keyboard software by typing it in the search bar.
3. Download it.
4. Install it and configure it.

That way, you will be able to configure the key functions and also the windows key.

Using a Reg File

If you think you are scared of messing up your windows installation, you can use a Reg File to disable the windows key. This Method is the easiest way to disable Windows Key on a computer.

To do that, follow the steps stated below:

1. Firstly, download a reg file.
2. Run it on your PC. 

You may get a warning stating: ‘adding information can unintentionally delete or change values which may cause components to stop working properly. Do you still wish to continue?’

3. Click ‘Yes’ to proceed.

Don’t forget to restart your PC to see the changes.  

Using Third-Party Applications

There are various Third-Party Applications that you can use to remap the Windows Key on Windows 10. One such Application is Sharpkeys.

follow these steps to disable Windows Keys using Sharpkeys:

1. Download Sharpkeys on your system from here.
2. Once done, launch it.

3. Now, on the left corner below. In the system tray, Click on add.
4. You should now be able to see the Add New Key Mapping option.
5. Now, at the bottom left, click on the Type Key.
6. You will get a notification popping up saying Press a key on your keyboard. Press your Windows Key.
7. On the right side, hit the Turn Key Off option.

8. Then save the changes by clicking on OK or save changes.
9. At last, Click on Write a registry.
10. Now for the final step, Restart your PC.

If you want to enable the Windows Key again, select the keys you want to remap again in the Sharpkey menu, click Delete, then Write to Registry. Then Restart your PC. Your Windows Keys should be working now.

Using hotkey to disable

If you want to disable your Windows key, you can also try using HotKey to do it. HotKey is a powerful scripting language that allows you to disable keys. Auto-hotkey can be a pretty complex application to use if you don’t know how to operate it properly, so you may want to try learning it first before you try disabling your Windows key using it.

Follow the steps below to disable your Windows Key with ease:

1. Download HotKey by going to their homepage: https://www.autohotkey.com/
2. Install it properly. You have to choose UNICODE when installing so that it supports Non-English characters and numbers.
3. Open it.
4. Find NEW in the Menu after Right-clicking on your Desktop.

5. Click on the AutoHotkey Script inside the NEW Menu.
6. After creating a script, you need to paste the following script at the bottom:

~LWin Up:: return

~RWin Up:: return 

After doing all this, Save your script, right-click AutoHotkey and Reload The Script from the menu by clicking on Reload this script. After doing that, both Windows Keys will be disabled.

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