How do I change the Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

What a piece of garbage.  I can't think of any other sane window manager or desktop environment that doesn't let the user set keyboard shortcuts.  That's outrageously lazy of Micro-Soft engineers to not implement a decent interface for setting keyboard shortcuts...and the registry is not a decent interface for that.

You may want to try something called AutoHotKey.  Its effectively a hot key scripting tool that inserts windows shortcuts and overrides existing  ones.

For example, I just upgraded to Windows 7 from XP and was trying to assign the windows key + space bar shortcut to launch a program that I use constantly.  Unfortunately, that shortcut is already in use as Peek at the Desktop.  I inserted  the following lines into the scripting file.  My own comments are denoted by //

#space::  //this is the scripting language's representation of windows key + space bar

        run "C:\Notepad.exe"  //It wasn't really notepad, but you get the idea

return

Basically, if there's a command line command for it (and often when there isn't, since the scripting language supports sequences of keystrokes, combinations, mouse commands, and lots of other things) you can do it in a keystroke.

HI  Wilfredtee

 you can not use windows default shortcuts to other applications, unless the application has been designed accordingly. you may have to use other shortcuts.

but you can disable full Win+hot keys , it will be disabled totally, and can not use for other application

**Windows Key Shortcuts - Enable or Disable**

How to Enable or Disable Windows Key Shortcuts in Windows 7

Method 2

Highly recommended not to modify the Registry before a back up.

==========================

To disable the Windows keyboard shortcut keys you need to modify the Registry. But before that create a System restore point. Follow the steps mentioned below to create a system restore point.

Step 1:

To create a restore point follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer and then clicking Properties.
2. In the left pane, click System protection. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Click the System Protection tab and then click Create.
4. In the System Protection dialog box, type a description and then click Create.

For more information, please **refer the link**

Step 2:

To edit and alter the registry follow the steps mentioned below.

Important Note : This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322756

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the Start Search box, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft \Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

   NOTE: If you already have the Explorer key (folder) under Policies, then go to step 7.  

5. In the left pane, right click on Policies and click on New and Key. 
6. Type Explorer and press Enter.
7. In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value.
8. Type “NoWinKeys” and press Enter.
9. In the right pane, right click on “NoWinKeys” and click on “Modify.”

10.To Disable Windows Hotkeys - Type 1 and click on OK.

11.To Enable Windows Hotkeys again - Type 0 (number zero) and click on OK.

12.Close Regedit.

13.Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply changes.

For further reference check the article mentioned below.

Disabling Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa460734(WinEmbedded.5).aspx

Reference:**Mir A** Microsoft support, Moderator

Hope it helps

---

Nikhil

As usual, nothing posted helps. WHY, am I being told how to disable the Windows key on my keyboard for THIS search phrase: "disable keyboard shortcuts windows 7"???

I am so tired of being in a game or such and pressing a usual and normal key (yes, not a SPECIAL key) just a space or 'e' or some other key .. and Windows 7 Pro (fully up-to-date per Windows Updates) decides to add some unknown modifier and open up a Browser window or a Search window or hide all windows or randomly pick a drive to open (whether it's a 'real' drive or not) ... yes I have MICROSOFT Pro virus protection, yes, it's up-to-date  ... YES, I have run recent scans ... (OH, yes - I'm a 30 year IT Professional

• who is also tired of SPAM from posts to 'answers.MS.com') ... I have over a DOZEN items showing in my task bar from just trying to type this message ... WHY in HECK is there no way to turn this off?  Yes, restarting fixes the problem - DUH! Next time you are smack in the middle of a task, can't save or exit what you are doing because a search or a browser window pop up --- please ... let me know how much THAT works for you ... "Hi, Apple ... I think I'd like to know more about YOUR products ..." ... ANYONE at MS listening??? 

PLEASE - FFS - reach out ... connect, link ... whatever ... just let me know which of the MILLIONS of patches I may have missed, installed in the wrong order OR installed by mistake (because Windows told me it was CRITICAL) - and I will get it fixed ... OH, yes, by PAYING one of your "licensed", overpriced consultants to help me with something that should NEVER have been an issue in the FIRST PLACE!!!

I would like to know how I can change/disable some of the Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts.

I find half of them useful, however I would like to change either the key combinations or disable some of the key combinations.

Before upgrading to Windows 7, I used to use a virtual desktop application (virtuawin) on Windows XP that allows windows to be grouped into different virtual desktops. I assign Win + 1, Win + 2, etc to switch between the desktops.

I had the exact same problem, and I am posting here the actual solution that the poster requested in case somebody else runs into this page. The only way that I could find to override the Win+1, Win+2 etc. keys is with AutoHotKey, using the following script:

; VirtuaWin key remapping

#1::

Send #!^{1}

return

#2::

Send #!^{2}

return

etc.

For this to work, you need to configure the VirtuaWin shortcuts as Ctrl+Alt+Win+1 etc. Hope this helps.