Vista - Windows HotKeys

   Information

This will show you how to enable or disable all of the keyboard shortcuts that have the Windows Key in them. You can do this for all users accounts, or just your user account on the computer.

   Note

This is for the Windows Key + key hotkeys that provides shortcuts for Start Menu, Quick Launch, and task swapping. EX: Quick Launch - Windows Key + (1 to 0)

Through a Download:

1. To Disable Windows Hotkeys -

A) Click on the download button below to download

Disable_Current_Windows_Hotkeys.reg.
B) Go to step 3.

2. To Enable Windows Hotkeys again -

A) Click on the download button below to download
Enable_Current_Windows_Hotkeys.reg.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).

The Manual Way:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
NOTE: If you already have the Explorer key (folder) under Policies, then go to step 7.

5. In the left pane, right click on Policies and click on New and Key.

6. Type Explorer and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

7. In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value.

8. Type NoWinKeys and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

9. In the right pane, right click on NoWinKeys and click on Modify.

10. To Disable Windows Hotkeys -

A) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 11)

11. To Enable Windows Hotkeys again -

A) Type 0 (number zero) and click on OK.

12. Close Regedit.

13. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply changes.

Through a Download:

1. To Disable Windows Hotkeys -

A) Click on the download button below to download
Disable_All_Windows_Hotkeys.reg.

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Enable Windows Hotkeys again -

A) Click on the download button below to download
Enable_All_Windows_Hotkeys.reg.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

7. Log off and log on or restart the computer to apply the changes.

8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

The Manual Way:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

5. In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value.

6. Type NoWinKeys and press Enter.

7. In the right pane, click on NoWinKeys and Modify. (See screenshot below)

8. To Disable Windows Hotkeys -

A) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 9)

9. To Enable Windows Hotkeys again -

A) Type 0 (number zero) and click on OK.

10. Close regedit.

11. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply changes.