How to disable to Windows key on keyboard

Automated method

Disable the Windows key

Step 1: Download the Microsoft Fix it program 50465 from Microsoft at http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9738719.

Step 2: Double-click on the file you just downloaded, MicrosoftFixit50465.msi, and click Run to install the fix.

Step 3: Follow the short installation prompts and restart your computer.

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Enable the Windows key

Step 1: Download the Microsoft Fix it program 50464 from Microsoft at http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9738718.

Step 2: Double-click on the file you just downloaded, MicrosoftFixit50464.msi, and click Run to install the fix.

Step 3: Follow the short installation prompts and restart your computer.

Manual method

Caution: Please take care when working in the registry. Mistakes made in the registry can cause serious problems. If you are not comfortable working in the registry, consider using the automated method.

Disable the Windows key

Step 1: Click Start, then type regedt32 in the search box.

Click image to enlarge

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 2: Double-click on HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE, then SYSTEM, CurrentControlSet, Control.

Click image to enlarge

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 3: Click on Keyboard Layout, then in the Registry Editor menu, click on Edit, New, Binary Value.

Click image to enlarge

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 4: Name the new entry as Scancode Map.

Step 5: Double-click on the new entry and type in 00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000as the value data, then click OK. You must type it in manually; copying and pasting will not work. It might be easier to look at it in pairs, as three rows of 16 digits:
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 image to enlarge

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 6: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Enable the Windows key

Step 1: Click Start, then type regedt32 in the search box.

Step 2: Double-click on HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE, then SYSTEM, CurrentControlSet, Control.

Step 3: Click on Keyboard Layout and right-click on Scancode Map. Click Delete then click Yes.

Click image to enlarge

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 4: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.