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

[SR-SUPPORT]

The Microsoft Windows key found on most PC keyboards can disrupt the course of an experiment if accidentally pressed, as it may open the Windows start menu and possibly even minimize the experiment window. As such it can be helpful to disable this feature. This can be achieved by editing your computer's registry. The steps below outline the actions required to permanently disable the Windows key:

1. Press the Windows key +R
   
2.  In the resulting window type 'regedt32' (not quotes) and then click OK.
   This will run the Registry Editor App.
   
3. On the Windows Registry editor, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.
   
4. Double-click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder.
   
5. Then click the Keyboard Layout folder.
   
6. Go to Edit menu -> New -> Binary Value. 
   
7. Rename the Binary Value to Scancode Map.
   
8. Double Click the Scancode Map and enter:
   
   00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
   03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0
   00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00
   
      
   
   
9. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.
   

To re-enable the key please follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows key +R
   
2. In the resulting window type 'regedt32' (not quotes) and then click OK.
   
3. On the Windows Registry editor, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.
   
4. Double-click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder
   
5. Then click the Keyboard Layout folder.
   
6. Right-click the Scancode Map registry entry, and then click Delete.
   
7. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.