Disable Windows Hotkeys

Learn how to turn off Windows+X hotkeys in Windows 7.

Keyboards with a Windows key provide users with shortcuts to common shell features. For example, pressing the keyboard sequence Windows+R opens the Run dialog box; pressing Windows+E starts Windows Explorer. By using this setting, you can disable these Windows+X shortcut keys.

If you enable this setting, the Windows+X shortcut keys are unavailable.

If you disable or do not configure this setting, the Windows+X shortcut keys are available.

Disable Windows Hotkeys

1. Type gpedit.msc in the Start menu’s search box and then press Enter.

   Note: This guide shows you how to make changes to Windows 7 using Group Policy. Group Policy is not available in Home versions of Windows 7.

2. Navigate to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and then select Windows Explorer in the left column of the Group Policy editor.

   

3. Double-click Turn off Windows+X Hotkeys in the Settings section of the Group Policy editor.
4. Select Enable and then click OK to save the changes.

   

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