FAQ: How can I prevent the Windows key from disrupting my experiment?

[SR-SUPPORT]

Accidentally pressing the Windows key can disrupt an experiment by opening the Start Menu. To prevent this, you can temporarily disable the key by editing the Windows Registry.

⚠️ Warning: This procedure involves editing the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes can cause serious system problems. Please follow these steps carefully.

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
   
2. Navigate to the Correct Path: In the address bar at the top, copy and paste the following path and press Enter:
   

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

3. Create a New Binary Value:
   • Right-click on an empty space in the right-hand panel.
     
   • Select New > Binary Value.
     
   • Name the new value Scancode Map.
     
4. Enter the Disable Code:
   • Double-click the Scancode Map value you just created.
     
   • Carefully type the following hexadecimal values into the "Value data" box. You can just copy and paste the line below.
     

     00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
     03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0
     00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00

5. Save and Restart: Click OK and then restart your computer for the change to take effect.
      
   

To re-enable the Windows key, simply go back to the same registry location, delete the Scancode Map value, and restart your PC.

Alternate Method:
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of official utilities for power users. Its Keyboard Manager tool lets you easily remap or disable any key without risk.

1. Install PowerToys: Get it for free from the Microsoft Store
   
2. Open PowerToys Settings: Find and open the PowerToys app after it's installed.
   
3. Go to Keyboard Manager: Select Keyboard Manager from the menu on the left and make sure the Enable Keyboard Manager toggle is on.
   
4. Remap a Key: Click Remap a key.
   
5. Add a New Mapping: In the Remap keys window, click the + button to add a new mapping.
   
6. Select the Windows Key:
   • Under the Physical Key column, click the dropdown and select Win.
     
   • Under the Mapped To column, click the dropdown and select Disable.
     
7. Apply the Change: Click OK at the top of the window. A warning will pop up; click Continue Anyway.
   

The Windows key is now completely disabled. To re-enable it, just open PowerToys again, go back to the "Remap a key" screen, and click the trash can icon next to the mapping