Disable Windows Key during gaming

jonks

Lifer
Feb 7, 2005
13,918
20
81
Hey, anyone have any quick fixes (freeware or other) for disabling the windows key in Win7? I found a $5 app (Winkey Blocker) that'll do it but if someone has something free, being a rational consumer, I'd take that. I don't want to have to do a reg hack requiring a restart though.

Thanks.
 

Hippiekiller

Member
Mar 30, 2006
72
0
66
I always just grab a screw drive and pop the left windows key off of any new keyboard I get. Looks a bit ratty but its better than getting pwned while you suddenly get alt-tabbed. The right windows key doesn't get in my way ever.
 

Worthington

Golden Member
Apr 29, 2005
1,432
17
81
Try Keytweaker. I use it to retask the context buttons but it should work for the Win key as well.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
21,052
3,533
126
lolol.....

This is one of the reasons why i bought a logitech.

But im assuming if your hitting the windows key button, its because ur playing a fps, and that space bar is being mashed.

Get a G13 OP.
It takes some time to get used to, but once u do, there is no better keyboard for FPS.
 

lord_emperor

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2009
1,380
1
0
grozing_pliers.jpg
 

beguile

Senior member
Oct 28, 2004
447
0
0
I always just grab a screw drive and pop the left windows key off of any new keyboard I get. Looks a bit ratty but its better than getting pwned while you suddenly get alt-tabbed. The right windows key doesn't get in my way ever.

I did the same thing. It works wonders. Never had to worry about that problem again.
 

trelin

Member
Jan 6, 2007
40
0
0
I just love how you ask for a quick fix that doesn't involve registry keys, and people immediately respond with registry hacks and physically removing keys. :-|

READ PEOPLE! *sigh*

That said, I've got exactly the thing you're looking for:

http://www.quinnsoft.com/archive/programs/windows_key_disabler.php

Teeny little app, no installation, just a single 24kb exe that "just works" in XP/Vista/7. All it does it put a little Windows logo in your system tray. Double-clicking it turns it grey and the key is disabled; double-click again and it goes color. Right click it to close. That's it.

I love it so I don't accidentally hit the winkey when I'm using voicebinds in TF2.
 

microAmp

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2000
5,988
110
106
Nice post terlin, I'll have to use that myself.

I use a LogiTech keyboard with the software installed and it does have a 'disable WinKey' feature too but not "easy" to re-enable when done gaming.
 

arredondo

Senior member
Sep 17, 2004
841
37
91
If you play games with the ALT key heavily used, it gets triggered on rare occasion. I have Logitech's illuminated keyboard so it's easy to turn off with a check box. I'd use trelin's suggestion if it wasn't for that.
 

fatpat268

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2006
5,853
0
71
If you play games with the ALT key heavily used, it gets triggered on rare occasion. I have Logitech's illuminated keyboard so it's easy to turn off with a check box. I'd use trelin's suggestion if it wasn't for that.

I use my thumb to hit the alt button, and for me to mistake the alt key for the win-key, I'd have to move my thumb to an extremely unnatural position.

But, everybody is different. It also helps that my win-key has an indentation on it as well (I have the logitech illuminated keyboard as well).
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
118
116
Seriously, I can't find a single scenario where I accidentally press the win-key.

Really? I t happens to me about 10% of the time I am playing.

Just happened to me the other day playing L4D2. I accidentally pressed it and by the time I finally got back into the game I was being brutally raped by a Hunter. :(

KT
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
I always just grab a screw drive and pop the left windows key off of any new keyboard I get. Looks a bit ratty but its better than getting pwned while you suddenly get alt-tabbed. The right windows key doesn't get in my way ever.

I also do this.
 

Ben90

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,866
3
0
Get a G13 OP.
It takes some time to get used to, but once u do, there is no better keyboard for FPS.
If your going to waste money on something like this, you might as well get a real keyboard. Can't get much better than Cherry Blacks on the PS/2 port.
 

Born2bwire

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2005
9,840
6
71
If your going to waste money on something like this, you might as well get a real keyboard. Can't get much better than Cherry Blacks on the PS/2 port.

...

The whole point of buying something like that is that you don't want to use a keyboard, real or imaginary. I have had one of the Nostromo Speedpads, which are similar, for many years now. They really are nice to have if you play FPS a lot.