How to Disable or Enable the Windows Key on Your Keyboard

By blogjoker Last updated Oct 3, 2025

Ever pressed the Windows key by accident during a game or while typing fast? You’re not alone! That little key can be helpful — or a total nuisance, depending on what you’re doing. Sometimes, you want it gone. Other times, you want it back. The good news? You can do both! Let’s explore how to easily
disable or enable the Windows key on your keyboard.

What Is the Windows Key?

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The Windows key (also known as the Win key) sits between the Ctrl and Alt keys. It usually has the Windows logo on it. When you press it, it opens the Start menu. But it also does cool shortcuts:

Win + D: Show desktop
Win + L: Lock your PC
Win + Tab: Open Task View

While handy, hitting it by mistake during games or work can ruin your rhythm. That’s where disabling it comes in.

Why Disable the Windows Key?

Here are a few common reasons:

Gaming: You’re playing and boom — you press the Windows key. Game minimized. Ouch!
Full-Screen Apps: Magical pop-up of the Start menu… not so magical in the middle of a presentation.
Fast Typing: Accidents happen. The Start menu shouldn’t.

Luckily, you have options.

Method 1: Use Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro)

If you have Windows 10/11 Pro, you’re in luck! This method is quick and easy.

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.
Navigate to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
Find and double-click “Turn off Windows Key hotkeys”.
Select Enabled. Click Apply and OK.

Note: This disables the hotkeys involving the Windows key, but not the Start Menu key press itself.

Method 2: Registry Editor (All Windows Versions)

This is a classic. Works on all versions, but be careful — you’re editing your system’s brain!

Press Win + R and type regedit. Hit Enter.
Go to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
Right-click in the right panel and choose New > Binary Value.
Name it Scancode Map.
Double-click it and enter the following value:
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00
Click OK and restart your computer.

This disables both left and right Windows keys.

Method 3: Use a Free Software Tool

Don’t like messing with the registry? That’s fair! Try a free app.

SharpKeys

Download and install SharpKeys.
Open it and click Add.
Press “Type Key” on the left and then the Windows key.
On the right, select “Turn Key Off”.
Click OK, then Write to Registry.
Restart your computer.

Voila! No more accidental windows flying up.

Method 4: Gaming Keyboard Software

Many gaming keyboards, like those from Logitech, Razer, or Corsair, come with their own software. These let you disable specific keys while gaming.

Open your keyboard’s software.
Look for a “Game Mode” or a profile setup.
Disable the Windows key or customize it how you like.

This method is super safe and easy. Plus, you can toggle it on or off anytime.

Want the Windows Key Back?

Changed your mind? No worries!

Undo Group Policy

Go to gpedit.msc again.
Find “Turn off Windows Key hotkeys”.
Select Not Configured or Disabled.

Remove Registry Entry

Open regedit again.
Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
Find Scancode Map and delete it.
Restart your PC.

In SharpKeys

Open the app again.
Find the Windows key rule and delete it.
Click Write to Registry and restart.

It’s just like magic — the Windows key is back!

Pro Tips

Back up your registry before editing it. It’s easy, just go to File > Export.
Try not to disable the key on a shared computer unless others are okay with it.
Set up a shortcut to toggle it if you switch tasks often (game vs work).

What If You Only Want to Disable One Side?

Some people want the left Windows key gone but keep the right one (or vice versa). You can do this with SharpKeys or a more customized registry code.

Here’s what you’d need to disable only the left Windows key:

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 00 00

And for the right one:

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00 00 00

Same steps as before with the registry. Just use the code above.

Conclusion

Disabling or enabling your Windows key isn’t rocket science. Whether it’s for gaming 🕹️, typing, or focus, you now have at least four methods to take control.

Group Policy Editor: For Pro users, quick and clean.
Registry Editor: For all users, powerful!
SharpKeys: Super friendly and visual.
Gaming Software: Perfect for game profiles.

So go ahead, tailor that keyboard to fit your life. Happy typing — or gaming — without interruptions!