8

Windows Vista (more specifically, explorer) binds win+1, win+2, win+3, etc for its quick-launch bar. I want to use those key combinations for a different program. There is a registry key(s) to prevent explorer from binding those shortcuts so that I can bind them myself, but I can not remember what it is.

Every search I've tried turns up saying set HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NoWinKeys to 1, but that disables all the shortcuts (win+r, etc) instead of just specific ones.

I did it before on my last computer but I can't remember the specific registry setting.

Dennis Williamson
  • 111,445
Josh Sterling
  • 301
  • 2
  • 7

2 Answers2

12

I finally found it by scouring the registry of one of my old computer.

The registry key I was looking for is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\DisabledHotkeys

If it's not present, create a new Expandable String Value and add any characters you don't want windows explorer to bind.

For example, setting DisabledHotkeys to 12 will prevent explorer from binding windowskey+1 and windowskey+2

Josh Sterling
  • 301
  • 2
  • 7
1

I did this with Windows 10... created the DisabledHostkeys and added "S". However, that prevented the entire Search function and Search icon from working as well! Not recommended!

Glen Little
  • 790