Gamers Must Know! How to Lock WinKey in Windows 11 for Uninterrupted Gaming

Have you ever been engrossed in playing competitive games on Windows 11, and suddenly the Start Menu appears because you accidentally pressed the WinKey key? This situation not only disrupts your concentration but can also make you lose your composure at crucial moments! Don’t worry, you are not alone; thousands of gamers face similar problems every day.

The Windows button (WinKey) is useful for quick navigation, but it is an unexpected enemy for gamers. Fortunately, Windows 11 provides some practical ways to lock or disable WinKey, either permanently or temporarily, while gaming.

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Method 1: Disabling Windows Keys (WinKey) with Registry Editor (No Software)

One of the most effective and permanent ways to disable Windows keys in Windows 11 is to perform settings through the Registry Editor. This method works by modifying the keyboard scancode mapping so that the system will not respond when the Windows key is pressed.

Steps to Use the Registry Editor

  1. Press the Win + R key on your keyboard, then type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following directory:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
  1. In the right panel, right-click and select New > Binary Value.
  2. Name the value: Scancode Map
  3. Double-click on Scancode Map, then enter the following data:
00 00 00 000 00 000003 00 00000000005B E0 00000 E05C  0  0000 0 00
  1. Click OK, close Registry Editor, and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Technical Explanation

  • The value of 5B E0 represents the Left Windows Key
  • A value of 5C E0 represents the Right Windows Key
  • The binary value above serves to disable two Windows keys without physically removing the keys
  • Scancode Map is Microsoft’s official mechanism for remapping keyboard key functions at the system level

 Want to reactivate the Windows button? Simply remove the Scancode Map value and restart your computer.

Method 2: Disable the Windows Button (WinKey) Using the Local Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise Edition)

If you’re using Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can disable Windows keys more securely and flexibly through Local Group Policy Editor. This method is highly recommended because it doesn’t require any changes to the Registry, and it’s easy to turn on and off again as needed.

Steps to Disable WinKey via Group Policy

  1. Press the Win + R key, type gpedit.msc, and then press Enter to open Local Group Policy Editor.
  2. In the left panel, navigate to the following path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
  1. On the right side, look for a setting named Turn off Windows Key hotkeys.
  2. Double-click on the setting, select the Enabled option, and then click Apply and OK.
  3. Close the editor window and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

This setting will disable shortcut combinations that involve Windows keys, including combinations such as Win + R, Win + E, Win + D, and more. Even if the Windows button is still physically present, the system will not respond to any commands that use the key.

Method 3: Disable Windows Keys (WinKey) Using PowerToys (Non-Destructive Solution)

For users who don’t want to risk editing the Registry or using Group Policy, Microsoft’s PowerToys app is an ideal solution. The app provides Keyboard Manager features that allow you to remap buttons, including disabling Windows keys, easily and safely.

PowerToys is a free and official utility from Microsoft designed for advanced users, yet still friendly to general users. One of its excellent features is Keyboard Manager, which can be used to change the function of keyboard keys as needed, including disabling WinKey keys non-destructively (without changing the core system).

Steps to Disable WinKey Using PowerToys

  1. Download and install PowerToys via the official Microsoft website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/
  2. Launch the PowerToys app, then go to the Keyboard Manager menu in the side panel.
  3. Click the Remap a key button.
  4. On the remapping window:
    • Click the + button to add a new mapping.
    • Select Win (Left) in the Physical Key field, and set it to Undefined in the Mapped To column.
    • Repeat to Win (Right) to have both disabled.
  5. Click OK, save your changes, and then restart your computer if needed.

Not all WinKey shortcuts will be disabled completely right away. However, remapping to Undefined will stop the key function.

If you only want to remove certain functions (e.g., Win + D or Win + E), PowerToys also supports remapping key combinations.

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