![]() ![]() Not everyone wants to memorize a list of keyboard commands. Check out some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts that Microsoft's latest OS has to offer. Using the Function Key Step. Look for the "Function" key at the bottom row of your laptop's keyboard. It is typically next to the "Windows" key.
What Is a Keyboard? Many different keyboard layouts are available around the world (like Dvorak and JCUKEN) but most keyboards are of the QWERTY type. Most keyboards have numbers, letters, symbols, arrow keys, etc., but some also have a numeric keypad, additional functions like volume control, buttons to power down or sleep the device, or even a built- in trackball mouse that's intended to provide an easy way to use both the keyboard and the mouse without having to lift your hand off the keyboard. Keyboard Connection Types. Many keyboards are wireless, communicating with the computer via Bluetooth or an RF receiver. Wired keyboards connect to the motherboard via a USB cable, using the USB Type A connector. Older keyboards connect via a PS/2 connection. Keyboards on laptops are of course integrated, but technically would be considered . Drivers for standard, non- advanced keyboards usually don't need to be downloaded because they're already included in the operating system. See How Do I Update Drivers in Windows? Technology keeps you connected everywhere you go, helps you capture every moment & makes your life a bit easier; stay up-to-date with tips & tricks from eHow. Computer dictionary definition for what Windows key means including related links, information, and terms. However, most do have USB receptacles or wireless technologies which allow external keyboards to be attached. Like tablets, most modern mobile phones utilize on- screen keyboards to maximize the screen size; the keyboard can be used when needed but then that same screen space can be used for other things like watching videos. If the phone does have a keyboard, it's sometimes a slide- out, hidden keyboard that rests behind the screen. This both maximizes available screen space as well as allows for a familiar physical keyboard. Laptops and netbooks have integrated keyboards but, like tablets, can have external keyboards attached via USB. Keyboard Shortcuts. Though most of us use a keyboard nearly every day, there are many keys you probably don't use, or at least aren't sure why you use them. Below are some examples of keyboard buttons that can be used together to form a new function. Modifier Keys. Some keys you should become familiar with are called modifier keys. You'll probably see some of these in the troubleshooting guides here on my site; the Control, Shift, and Alt keys are modifier keys. Mac keyboards use the Option and Command keys as modifier keys. Unlike a normal key like a letter or a number, modifier keys modify the function of another key. The regular function of the 7 key, for example, is to input the number 7, but if you hold down the Shift and 7 keys simultaneously, the ampersand (& ) sign is produced. Some of the effects of a modifier key can be seen on the keyboard as keys that have two actions, like the 7 key. Keys like this have two functions where the topmost action is . It's used for copying something to the clipboard so that you can use the Ctrl- V combination to paste it. Another example of a modifier key combination is Ctrl- Alt- Del. The function of these keys isn't as obvious because the instructions for using it aren't laid out on the keyboard like the 7 key is. This is a common example of how using modifier keys can produce an effect that none of the keys can perform on their own, independent of the others. Alt- F4 is another keyboard shortcut. This one instantly closes down the window you're currently using. Whether you're in an Internet browser or browsing through pictures on your computer, this combination will instantly close the one you're focused on. Windows Key. Although the common use for the Windows key (a. Start menu, it can be used for many different things. The Win- D is one example of using this key to quickly show/hide the desktop. Win- E is another useful one that quickly opens Windows Explorer. Microsoft has a large list of keyboard shortcuts for Windows for some other examples. Win+X is probably my favorite. Note: Some keyboards have unique keys that don't work in the same way as a traditional keyboard. For example, the Teck. Net Gryphon Pro gaming keyboard includes 1. Changing Keyboard Options. In Windows, you can change some of your keyboard's settings, like repeat delay, repeat rate, and blink rate, from the Control Panel. You can make advanced changes to a keyboard using third- party software like Sharp. Keys. This is a free program that edits the Windows Registry to remap one key to another or disable one or more keys altogether. Sharp. Keys is extremely useful if you're missing a keyboard key. For example, if you're without the Enter key, you can remap the Caps Lock key (or the F1 key, etc.) to the Enter function, essentially removing the former key's capabilities so as to regain use of the latter. It can also be used to map keys to web controls like Refresh, Back, etc. The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator is another free tool that lets you quickly change the layout of your keyboard. Little Tiny Fish has a good explanation for how to use the program. How to disable Ctrl+Shift keyboard layout switch (for the same input language) in Windows? In Windows (XP at least), when there are two or more keyboard layouts for the same input language, pressing Ctrl+Shift switches the keyboard layout. Where can this be disabled or changed to another keystroke combination? A similar feature is changing input languages. Alt+Shift is the default keystroke and that can be changed and disabled through the Regional and Language Options in the Control Panel. The keyboard layout switch (Ctrl+Shift) cannot be found in that panel. Generally WIN key is used to quickly access Start Menu or Start Screen in Windows. But you can also use WIN key in combination with another key to access other programs or features in Windows. There are many such keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys) available in Windows which use WIN key plus other keys such as: WIN+R to launch RUN dialog box. WIN+E to launch Windows Explorer. WIN+L to lock. WIN+P to launch External Display selection screen. WIN+X to show WIN+X menu (Windows 8 and later)WIN+C to show Charms Bar (Windows 8 and later)WIN+Prt. Scn to capture computer screen and save screenshot (Windows 8 and later)WIN+S or WIN+F to launch Search. WIN+D to show the Desktop. WIN+M to minimize all running programs windows. WIN+SHIFT+M to restore all running programs windows. WIN+Break to show System Properties. WIN+B to set focus on system tray (Taskbar notification area) icons. WIN+T to set focus on Taskbar buttons. WIN+number key (0- 9) to switch between Quick Launch toolbar or Taskbar buttons. Although these WIN+ hotkeys are very useful and time saving but many people might find these built- in hotkeys annoying. For example, suppose you were using WIN+Arrow keys to change volume level in your Windows XP or Vista PC and when you upgraded your PC to Windows 7, the WIN+Arrow hotkey was automatically assigned to change windows alignment such as restore windows, maximize windows, cascade windows, etc as a part of Aero Snap feature. Now you don't want this new behavior and want to unbind or disable the built- in Windows 7 hotkey so that you can use your previous hotkey functionality. There might be many other reasons behind disabling built- in WIN+ hotkeys in Windows. For example you often accidentally press WIN and another key in your keyboard so you may want to disable the WIN+ hotkey feature to prevent it from happening again. If you also want to turn off WIN+ hotkeys in your Windows, this tutorial will definitely help you. We have divided this tutorial in 2 parts: PART 1: Disable WIN+ hotkeys only. PART 2: Disable WIN key completely. If you don't want to disable WIN key but want to disable its hotkeys such as WIN+R, WIN+E, etc, then you'll need to follow the steps given in part 1 of the tutorial. If you want to completely disable WIN key so that it no longer works in your system, then you should follow part 2 of this tutorial. Completely disabling WIN key will also disable all its hotkeys. PART 1: Disable WIN+ Hotkeys. With the help of following steps, you'll be able to turn off all WIN+ hotkeys available in your Windows. You can use following 2 methods to disable WIN+ hotkeys: METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit. METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit. Type gpedit. msc in RUN or Start search box and press Enter. It'll open Group Policy Editor. Now go to: User Configuration - > Administrative Templates - > Windows Components - > Windows Exploreror. User Configuration - > Administrative Templates - > Windows Components - > File Explorer. In right- side pane, look for . The option would be set to Not Configured. Double- click on it and set it to Enabled. That's it. It'll immediately turn off all WIN+ hotkeys in your system. PS: To re- enable the hotkeys in future, again set the . Just follow these simple steps: 1. Type regedit in RUN or Start search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor. Now go to following key: HKEY. In right- side pane, create a new DWORD No. Win. Keys and set its value to 1. Close Registry Editor and restart your system. After reboot the WIN+ hotkeys will be turned off in your system. PS: To re- enable WIN+ hotkeys in future, delete the DWORD No. Win. Keys created in step 3. PART 2: Disable WIN Key Completely. If you want to completely turn off the WIN key in your system so that no one can use WIN key and all its related hotkeys, then this method will help you. We'll use the built- in . If you remember we have used the same feature to disable Caps Lock key in following tutorial: How to Disable Annoying Caps Lock Key in Windows? If you follow the tutorial given at the above mentioned link and set the value of Scancode Map binary present in HKEY. First of all download the software using following article: Download Sharp Keys. Run the software and click on Add button. Now click on . It'll open a small dialog box to detect a key. Now press WIN key and it'll store the key. Click on OK button. Now leave the value of . Click on OK button and then click on . Restart your computer and upon reboot, the WIN key will be disabled completely. PS: If you want to enable WIN key again in future, run Sharp Keys tool again, select the WIN key entry given in the list and click on . At last click on.
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