How To Disable the Keyboard Windows Key

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4

SUMMARY

It is possible to disable the Windows key that is now available on many new computer keyboards. This key usually provides shortcut access to the Start button or other Windows NT functions.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To disable the Windows key, do the following steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK.



2. On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.



3. Click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, and then double-click the Keyboard Layout folder.



4. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, type in Scancode Map, click REG_BINARY as the Data Type, and then click OK.



5. Type 00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000 in the Data field, and then click OK.



6. Close the Registry Editor and restart the computer.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbenv 
Version           : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbinfo 

Last Reviewed: March 25, 1999