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Possible to lock laptop keyboard when using external wireless keyboard?

Anonymous
2021-01-18T00:02:10+00:00

Is it possible to lock a laptop keyboard while using external wireless keyboard connected via a USB transmitter to the laptop? I have a cat that likes walking across my laptop keyboard messing things up while I'm trying to do work using the wireless keyboard attached to it.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. LemP 74,930 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-01-18T19:02:47+00:00

    There seem to be two basic methods of disabling a keyboard.

    One method involves manipulating the keyboard's status in Device Manager.  Although for many devices there is a right-click "Disable" option, I suspect that for a built-in laptop keyboard, the only option will be "Uninstall."  The problem with using "Uninstall" is that Windows will automatically re-install the device when the computer reboots.  I've seen one proposal to prevent automatic re-installation by temporarily installing a non-compatible driver (https://superuser.com/questions/717133/how-can-i-disable-laptop-keyboard-but-not-wireless-keyboard-windows-7):

    • Open Device Manager
    • Select "Update Driver"
    • If prompted to check online or use existing drivers, choose existing drivers only
    • Display incompatible drivers (or de-select "Only use compatible drivers")
    • Choose one
    • Restart
    • Keyboard is now disabled (and in my case, touchpad too, which I'm fine with)

    To restore the keyboard:

    • Choose the compatible driver
    • Restart

    Although you could create a batch file to use Devcon (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/devtest/devcon-general-commands) to uninstall the keyboard without having to open Device Manager and do things manually, that would be fairly complicated.

    The second method is to use a third-party tool that will lock the keyboard for you.  Caution:  I have not tried this myself, but How To Geek is a generally OK website.  https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/11570/disable-the-keyboard-with-a-keyboard-shortcut-in-windows/

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-01-18T20:22:02+00:00

    Another method would require an external monitor.  It is very commonly used.  In that setup, you use a separate mouse, keyboard and screen (much larger).  Change the laptop setting so that closing the lid does NOT shut down or hibernate the PC.  This method requires a VGA port on your PC (most have them) or another connectivity method.

    Those screens can be had for like $125 for a 21" one.

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