Tips to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10
How to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10
There are various reasons that you might want to disable a Laptop Keyboard in Windows 10.
Laptops are popular computing device that offers convenience and is the easiest way to get connected with people.
Sometimes due to unwanted strokes, the keyboard gets damaged, kids playing or frayed, it can damage your built-in keyboard.
This can cause you difficulty typing and have to look for other options, on-screen keyboard for every typing-related work.
The on-screen keyboard will help you with your typing work and avoid the hassle associated with the built-in keyboard.
So, this post will walk you through the process of “How to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10” with different methods.
How to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10
I. Device Manager Method
There are two different safe methods to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10 you can disable it with the device manager or uninstall it.
The other method is to force the keyboard driver to use a different device driver that it cannot use which eventually stops it from working.
1.Access Device Manager:
To open the device manager open the Run Dialog box Win + R and enter devmgmt.msc in the link, Or Right Click on the Start to open the Device manager.
Select “Device Manager” from the list.
Click on the Keyboard Section to see the list of devices:
You will see a list of opened devices, under keyboard that includes HID Keyboard and Standard PS/2 Keyboard.
2.Disable the Laptop Keyboard:
Under the expanded list of opened devices, Right Click the Standard PS/2 Keyboard and choose to disable device. If you don’t find that option try using other methods
Choose “Disable device” from the context menu.
3.Confirmation:
If prompted to confirm, you are required to select “Yes” to disable the device. If the device is not disabled restart your laptop.
4.Re-enable if Necessary:
So, if you want to re-enable the keyboard, you are required to follow the same steps but select “Enable device” instead.
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II. Using Group Policy Editor (Advanced Method)
In the previous step I have discussed way to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10 but unfortunately it is not a permanent fix.
Every time the computer/laptop starts the system will automatically install the device driver.
In this Group Policy Editor we will command the system to not install any keyboard device driver automatically whenever the laptop starts.
Note: Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows 10 Home edition.
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1.Open Group Policy Editor:
To start with Group Policy Editor Select the Win + X and then select the device manager.
Now you are required to expand the Keyboard section.
So, from this step you will see a list of opened devices, Right Click the Standard PS/2 Keyboard and click on the properties.
Next a pop up will open go to the details tab and you are required to change the property drop down option to Hardware IDs.
To open the dialog box Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
2.Navigate to Keyboard Settings:
Go to Computer Configuration -> go to Administrative Templates -> System -> Device Installation -> Device Installation Restrictions.
3.Prevent Installation of Devices:
Right-click on “Prevent installation of devices that matches any of the devices instances IDs and select edit.
A pop will open Select “Enabled” in the upper left side of the prevent installation of devices that matches any of the device IDs and then choose Show.
Go to the device manager in step 4 and now you have to right click the first entry and select copy.
Next go to the policy opened in step 8, now double click the space under value, and now paste (Ctrl + V) the copied ID into that box.
Now choose OK on that screen and OK on the policy screen
Follow the steps by getting into the device manager, right click and choose uninstall device. Accept any prompt that show up.
4.Reboot Your Laptop:
Restart your laptop to apply the changes.
This method prevents Windows from automatically reinstalling the keyboard driver.
How to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10
Use the wrong driver to break the keyboard
The idea of updating a wrong device in an incompatible driver is not usually recommended and one must avoid it in any circumstances.
However, in certain cases you have only few options left with you to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10.
So, when you use a method of installing a wrong driver for a keyboard basically, it ceases to work.
- First open the device manager by right click on the start button or Win + X.
- Click on the device manager and expand the keyboard from the list.
- Now, Right click the Standard PS/2 Keyboard and select the update driver.
- From here your laptop will give you options to how you want to search drivers you need to select “Browse my computer for driver software”
- At the next stage you will have to select “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”.
- Check the show compatible hardware box and scroll through the list of manufacturer different than your standard keyboard, select one of the model.
- Then you must click on Next.
- The windows will give a warning pop up “Installing the device driver is not recommended and is incompatible with your system simply select YES.
- Select close once the device is updated in your Windows.
- Then you will have to Restart your Laptop.
- Once all the process is done successfully (Reboot) the built-in-Keyboard will not work at all.
How to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10
III. Reverting Changes and Additional Considerations
Reverting Changes:
If you want to enable the laptop keyboard again, follow the same steps and select “Disabled” or “Not Configured” in Group Policy Editor.
External Keyboard:
It is recommended to use an external keyboard if you’ve disabled your laptop keyboard.
Driver Updates:
You must always ensure that your laptop’s keyboard drivers are up-to-date to avoid compatibility issues.
How to disable a laptop keyboard in Windows 10
So, here are the few steps that I have presented to you with which you can disable your laptop keyboard in Windows 10.
There are several reasons that you may want to disable laptop keyboard like using external keyboard, troubleshooting issues and customizing your setup.
These are some of the best methods presented to you that provide you the flexibility to tailor your computing experience.
One must keep in mind to take extra measures while exercising these changes and revert modifications whenever required for better experience.
FAQ: Disable Laptop Keyboard
How can I disable my laptop keyboard?
Ans –There may be several reasons to disable laptop keyboard, 2 are safe methods and one is unconventional method.
Whichever method you go for always take extra measures to change the default function of your device.
Ans –To turn off the laptop you have to Press ALT + F4 “Shut Down” OK. The second one is Ctrl + Alt + Del “Power Button” Shut Down. The third one is Windows key + X “Shut down”
Ans –To temporarily disable keyboard Right click the start button and choose device manager and next expand the keyboard section.
You will see Standard PS/2 Keyboard right click on it and select disable with YES confirmation.
