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How to set Number Lock key to be permanently ON

Anonymous
2020-09-12T02:45:19+00:00

I have a Dell 17" 3000 series I7 laptop that works fine but for the fact is has no Number Lock light (bizarre) so you never know if the Number Lock is on or off.  While the laptop always starts with Number Lock - ON, my poor typing often turns it off, only to find I'm typing somewhere in a document I didn't want to, which is very frustrating.

I'm looking to either:

  1. permanently set the key to ON so that multiple pressing of the key will always cause it to be ON, or
  2. permanently disable the key as the BIOS presumably sets this key to ON upon start-up (assuming such a permanent disabling still allows the BIOS to set it to ON upon start-up).

Dell technical support couldn't help me and I'd prefer to tweak the BIOS or Windows, than try unproven add-on software.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings

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  1. paulr0511 44,525 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-09-12T04:59:31+00:00

    Good day HansL55! I am Independent Advisor Paul R. and also a Microsoft/Windows user like you and I am glad to be able to provide assistance to you today. I understand that you are looking into permanently turning on the Num Lock on your PC.

    Kindly check and try the steps below and see if it helps out.

    • Press the Window key + r to open up the run box
    • Type in regedit and hit on Enter
    • Go to HKEY_USERS\Default\Control Panel\Keyboard
    • Change the value of InitialKeyboardIndicators

    Set it to 2 to set NumLock ON

    • Restart your PC and check if the Num Lock will now be permanently on

    You can also refer to the link below for reference:

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.howtogeek.com/...

    ___________________________________________________________

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    ___________________________________________________________

    Regards,

    Paul R.

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2020-09-13T03:05:07+00:00

    Hi Paul,

    Your suggestion might switch the Num Lock to ON but my Dell does this on start up anyway.  The problem is that I accidentally turn it off while typing and this has not changed with your suggestion.  By the way, the original number in the Reg Editor's field was 2147483648.  I did set it to 2 though I was concerned I may disturb a range of functions, so I set a Restore Point just in case.  When it didn't work, it put the original value back.

    Regards

    Hans

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-09-15T00:22:02+00:00

    Thanks par_0511,

    The BIOS settings in my Dell are similar to what you suggested.  It is labelled "Numlock Enable" and the description is that it enables Numlock on System Boot.   This was already enabled which explains why my laptop always starts with Numlock - ON.  De-selecting this option causes the laptop to start with Numlock - OFF, as expected.  With either setting you can switch the Numlock on and off when operating the laptop.  Apart from physically removing the Numlock key, there seems no way to permanently set Numlock to OFF.  I might look for 3rd party software (and be wary of unwanted problems).

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  4. paulr0511 44,525 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-09-15T02:54:13+00:00

    Hi HansL55. apologies if the methods did not help out in resolving your query.

    Regards,

    Paul R.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. paulr0511 44,525 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-09-13T15:56:24+00:00

    Hi HansL55, if you are looking into changing it on your BIOS settings then you can check that out as well.

    • Go to your BIOS settings (refer to your manufacturer's manual)
    • Look for the Boot or Boot Options or a similarly named tab or menu entry in the BIOS using the arrow keys and then press Enter
    • Go to the NumLock State or Bootup NumLock State or a similar name option and then press Enter Use the arrow keys to select the Off or Disabled setting and then press Enter
    • Save the changes and exit and this will restart your PC automatically

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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