Windows Keyboard Shortcuts are the most essential tools to develop users’ productivity by allowing them to perform tasks efficiently and quickly. But sometimes users press some Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows by mistake and face some issues.

That is the reason, you should have to know about the process to Enable and Disable Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows. In this article, we’ll discuss about Disabling & Enabling Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows.

How to Enable Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows?

To Enable Keyboard Shortcuts or Hotkeys in Windows, there are three different ways are present. Let us first start with the Windows Keyboard Troubleshooter Process.

Method 1: Enable Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows by Running the Keyboard Troubleshooter

Step 1: Click on Start Menu > Select Settings > Tap on System > then Update & Security.

Step 2: Click on Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooter

Step 3: Under Find and Fix problems > Select Keyboard > Tap on Run the Troubleshooter

Method 2: Enable Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows by Sticky Keys

Note: Keyboard shortcuts sometimes fail to process if users can’t press the shortcut keys simultaneously. Users need to enable the Static Keys to work with shortcut keys in Windows.

Step 1: Click on Start Menu > Settings > Select Ease of Access.

Step 2: Go to the Interaction section > Select Keyboard.

Step 3: Turn on the toggle which shows “Use Sticky Keys“

Method 3: Enable Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows by Turning on Hotkeys

Step 1: Press Windows Key + R > type gpedit.msc into the dialog box > Press Enter.

Step 2: Press User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

Step 3: Open Turn off Windows keys hotkeys > Select Disabled or Not Configured > Click on Apply.

How to Disable Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows?

Just like the Enable Process of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts, there are three different methods present to Disable Keyboard Shorcuts in Windows. Let us start with the Windows Group Policy Editor.

Method 1: Disable Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows by Local Group Policy Editor

Note: Users can troubleshoot the internal system and resolve the system settings. Now we can see how to disable Windows shortcut keys using the Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 1: Go to the Start menu > Type Edit Group Policy > Right-click on Best Match > Select Run as administrator

Step 2: Navigate to User Configuration > Tap on Administrative Templates> Click on Windows Components > File Explorer button.

Step 3: Double-click on Turn off Windows Key Hotkeys.

Method 2: Disable Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows by Registry Editor

Step 1: Go to the Search Menu > Type Registry Editor

Step 2: Right-click on the Best Match result > Select Run as administrator

Step 3: Now, copy and paste the below command into the address bar > Enter.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies 

Step 4: Click on Explorer key > Right-click on a blank space > Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > Name this value NoWinKeys > Press Enter.

Method 3: Disable Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows By System Settings (for Certain Hotkeys)

Step 1: Go to the Search Menu > Type Allow the shortcut key to start Filter Keys > Tap on Best Match

Step 2: Uncheck the Allow the shortcut key to start Filter Keys > Locate Use Sticky Keys > Uncheck Allow the shortcut key to start Sticky Keys

Step 3: Scroll down to the Use Toggle Keys option > Uncheck the Allow the shortcut key to start Toggle Keys option.

Step 4: Scroll down to the Print screen shortcut option > Turn off Use the PrtScn button to open the disabling snipping button.

Conclusion

Users can access multiple types of Windows System Settings by using proper Keyboard Shortcuts or Hotkeys. By Disabling Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows, users can improve their overall computing experience and prevent effective accidental actions. By following all the mentioned methods and steps, we can Enable and Disable Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows properly.

Also Read

• How to Create Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 10?
• Top 100+ Computer Keyboard Shortcut Keys List (A to Z), PDF Available
• Keyboard Shortcuts that Work on Both Windows 11 & Windows 10

How to Enable and Disable Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows – FAQs

How do users turn off shortcuts for hotkeys?

To Turn Off or Disable Shortcuts for Hotkeys, the following steps will be used.

• First, navigate to User Configuration > Go to Administrative Templates> Windows Components > File Explorer.
• Now, users need to double-click on the Turn Off Windows Key Hotkeys option to turn off shortcuts for hotkeys.

How do I disable the Ctrl key?

Users can disable the Ctrl key by using the following steps

• Press Windows + R > Type “regedit” > Enter.
• Navigate to the key like “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer”
• Right-click on Explorer Key > Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

How do users can disable hotkeys in BIOS?

Users can disable hotkeys in BIOS by implementing the following steps –

• Access the BIOS > Select Configuration tab > Select Hotkey Mode
• Set Disabled > Save and Exit BIOS menu (or Press F10 > Enter)

Can I disable the Ctrl and Esc shortcut keys?

It’s not possible to disable Ctrl and Esc shortcut keys directly. Users can modify the system behavior of the start menu to open different key combinations.

What do you mean by F lock key?

Users can use the F lock key if the key is toggled between the standard commands and alternative commands manually. When the F lock light is off, the internal alternative functions work like help, undo, and so on. When the F ock light is on, the internal standard functions work like F1, F2, F3, and so on.