Windows key is one of most widely used keys present on the keyboard. It comes off with the iconic Windows symbol so it isn’t difficult to identify it even for a beginner. When you press it without any additional key, you will be seeing the Start menu on your screen. Moreover, you can access the run command directly by pressing Windows key + R. When the windows key doesn’t work, it can hamper your work. If you are facing the same issue, read on to know how to solve the Windows key not working issue.
- Verify the Start Menu
Source: helpdeskgeek.com
Certain times, it is working absolutely fine but the start menu does not appear when the key is pressed and hence, you might feel the Windows key not working. You can enable the start menu by right-clicking on the menu and opening the run command.
Next, type ‘regedit’ in the run box. Visit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced and right-click on it to select New -> DWORD (32-bit) value. Now, you need to call EnableXamlStartMenu and exit the registry to complete the step. Restart your device and check whether the issue persists or not.
- Disable Gaming Mode
Source: techloris.com
Certain gaming keyboards support gaming mode which can cause trouble. When you accidently press a button, for example, the windows button during a game, your screen will be minimized and you will be out of the game. To prevent such situations, keyboards support gaming mode. Gaming mode disables certain keys at times to prevent accidental pressing, which might be the cause in your case. Ensure that the gaming mode button on your keyboard is turned off.
- Try PowerShell
Source: helpdeskgeek.com
When the problem persists, people head towards using PowerShell to get the solution. You can access PowerShell by opening the task manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the task manager. Now, head on to the File section and click on Run New Task. Here, type powershell and check mark the section that says “Create this task with administrative privileges.” After you have powershell on your screen, paste this.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage – DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation) AppXManifest.xml”}
In most cases, the windows key starts working after completion of the above step. If you still face the issue, try restarting the device and see. If the problem persists, move on to the next solution.
- Use Third-Party Software
Source: techloris.com
You can use third-party software to solve the issue without much trouble. Download a third-party tool. In many cases, you may need to pay an additional amount to unlock the premium services. Scan your device with the help of the software and it will detect on its own. Some software tends to solve them on its own, giving users a minimal amount of trouble.
That was all about how to solve windows key not working. The problem can cause many issues and can make your work come to halt. Try solving it with above-mentioned methods as they have proven to be go-to solution tricks when this problem arises. windows-key-not-working
