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Dave Miller – Tech Enthusiast & Security Expert – October 9th, 2022
The Windows key is a standard key on most keyboards nowadays; however, since Windows 11 was updated, customers have been experiencing various issues for which they have particularly asked how to fix “please unlock the win key to activate this feature.”
Usually, using your keyboard’s Windows key to navigate the Windows OS is handy. Although it may get used for various tasks, most people use it to open the Start menu quickly.
If it stops working, some users like myself who don’t use it frequently won’t bother. However, for some people, losing this feature might be difficult to live with since it can cause them to work slowly or make their OS more difficult to use.
So, if you’re one of those who uses the window key on your keyboard to its fullest potential, keep reading because I’ll teach you how to resolve these fundamental problems.
If you use Windows, you’ve probably wondered why the Windows logo key is on your keyboard. Even if you don’t use a computer with Windows OS, you could still discover it on your keyboard because it has become so standard. The Windows key was first released in 1994, a little over 25 years ago. The Natural Keyboard, the first generation of Microsoft’s ergonomic keyboards made for Microsoft Windows 95 and Novell Netware, came first with this Window key.
That keyboard’s ergonomic design guards against repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and other musculoskeletal problems brought on by hours of typing. Three more keys got added to this keyboard specifically for Microsoft’s forthcoming operating system. a Menu key between the right Windows and Ctrl keys and two Windows logo keys between the Ctrl and Alt keys on either side. After then, Microsoft controls how the Windows key logo image appears by giving keyboard makers a specifically created license that requires the design to get used on all keyboards produced.
Therefore, if you don’t use Windows OS but still have a Win key, market share is the most critical factor at that time. In the personal computer market, Windows held a share of over 90%. Because it was virtually certain that their keyboard would be used on a Windows PC outside of the Apple Mac environment, support for a new key was natural for all manufacturers. On Macs, I assume it functions like the CMD key. For Linux, the key frequently acts like Windows and launches an application.
The most recent versions are the Ergonomic Keyboards, the Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard, and the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard
If the Window key feature isn’t currently functional for you. Your OS experience could change if you’re a power user. There might be a variety of causes for why it was working before but has since ceased.
But let’s first talk about the problem with the Asus Gaming Laptop before we get into those more general difficulties. The Windows Action menu instead displays a message that reads, “please unlock the win key to activate this feature,” for users who just switched from Windows 10 to Windows 11. These users were unable to utilize the Win key.
For several reasons, the Win key might get disabled, particularly in the ASUS TUF or ROG series. Disabling the Win key in the Armory package is the important and typical one, though. If you don’t know anything about it, it is a management tool from ASUS for their gaming systems. It helps configure RGB lighting and locate the most recent drivers, instructions, deals, and updates while facilitating rapid communication with other gamers.
You might have unintentionally disabled the Win key when the Armoury crate got accessed because it allowed you to personalize your keyboard experience. Therefore, if you cannot utilize your Win key, you may now unlock or activate the Win key on our ASUS Laptops with the assistance of this Armory Crate. So, to accomplish so, follow the steps below.
Step #1: Click the leftmost Blue Windows button on your desktop taskbar to access the Windows Taskbar menu.
Step #2: Type “Armoury Crate” into the start menu’s search box and click the Enter key.
Step #3: Go to the Future Stick Dashboard after opening it. You can view data for your gaming rigs there, including CPU Statistics, Memory and Storage, Fan Speed, System Configuration, and GPU Statistics. There will be two additional tabs.
Step #4: The system configuration tab may be next to this and below the memory/storage tab. These two System Configurations are available in Armory Crate. Win Key and Touch Pad are the two options available in this tab’s System Configuration. You can notice the Win Key option is Disabled in this.
Step #5: Next, click with the mouse pointed at the Win Key Option. At this point, your Asus laptop’s Win Key should begin to function.
Below are some of the other typical reasons why your Window key is not working
A gaming keyboard may have a separate button for Win lock. So, please check to see if your keyboard has a Win Lock key. If it applies to you, simply pressing the Win Lock key a second time will fix the problem.
Windows key with Registry Editor is another potential solution for your Win key to operate again. To do this, you must first run the RUN command and then browse to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout.
Find Scancode Map in the right pane, then right-click on it and choose Delete.
Updating your keyboard driver is another crucial step in your troubleshooting strategy if your Win Key is still not working
Check if the key on your keyboard is now functional as well. The reality is that keys are delicate pieces of hardware prone to malfunctioning at any time. In light of this, you should check to ensure it got not broken.
The Window key is the most helpful key on your keyboard that you’re not using, according to people who know how valuable it is. But is that true? How is it useful? Review the characteristics of what your Window key can perform in the section below.
The start menu appears when you press the key in Windows. If your keyboard doesn’t have a Win key, pressing Ctrl and Esc will accomplish the same task. Additionally, you are already aware that the Start menu allows you access to a selection of your computer’s settings and apps. Since Windows 11’s start menu placement has moved, you may now further personalize it with all the quick actions for rapid program access.
Although Startmenu is more convenient and straightforward, there is another menu you may not be aware of. It appears when you simultaneously hit the Win key and the X key. Several quick shortcuts to some of Windows’s most helpful system utilities that are occasionally challenging to find.
The Windows OS comes with a robust mechanism called Task View that helps to increase productivity. It offers a simple method to continue Timeline activities, interact with virtual desktops, and navigate between open programs. Since it was released, the function has evolved, but you can still use it in Windows 10 or 11 by simply hitting the Win key with the TAB key, which will display all active windows and let you choose between them.
Some of the other shortcut keys that you can use with your Windows key are below
Windows key + Alt + Enter – Opens taskbar settings.
Windows key + PrtScn – Takes full-screen screenshots to file.
Windows key + S – Open search.
Windows key + M – Minimize all windows.
Windows key + D – Display and hide the desktop.
These are just a few combinations I sometimes use for quick access. But there are 50+ combinations that you can use with this Win key on your keyboard. Want to know more? Follow the link below for Microsoft’s official Guide.
It might not seem helpful if you’ve never used Windows Key. However, there is no turning back once you begin utilizing it in your workflow. Win key typically has no issues; however, gaming settings might interfere with its performance when you create customized profiles.
However, now that you know how to fix “please unlock the win key to activate this feature,” you may continue to use the Win Key’s functionalities without any problems. Additionally, as already said, this Win key has more features than you probably realize it can provide for you. You can use the Windows logo key for various functions depending on your hardware.
Are you having non-stop Norton popups on your Windows 11 computer? Learn how to stop Norton popups on Windows here.
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Dave Miller is an IT Consultant for Online Cloud Security and has over 7 years of experience in the Information Technology space. He also specializes in repairing laptops & computers. In his spare time, he loves to talk about new technologies and hosts monthly IT and Cyber Security meetings in the Houston area.
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Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information.
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