Since the invention of the start card, keyboards have had the Windows primal (also known equally the Winkey). This is a concrete cardinal with the Microsoft Windows logo embedded on keyboards normally on the left of the keyboard which is linked to the Start Bill of fare, so when you press this primal First menu opens and if it doesn't open up the either the Start Bill of fare or the Windows push is not working. Some keyboards as well have two; on the right and on the left of the keyboard. The Windows central quickly brings upwards the first menu; which is the near common procedure on a Windows figurer. This saves time on dragging the mouse to the Start menu button on your screen.

Windows button

However, for some users, this push button has caused nothing only frustration. Whenever they press the Windows Fundamental on the laptop, information technology does non seem to do its dedicated work of bringing up the commencement menu. This ways Windows cardinal shortcuts will also not work. Shortcuts like Winkey + 50 to log out, Winkey + D to bring up the desktop, Winkey + R to open up run, Windows Key + I to open Settings, or Windows Central + Tab to sweep through tasks volition not work. Still, the start menu all the same works fine when you employ the mouse. Others however cannot get this to piece of work either. This article will help in explaining this problem and give you fixes to it.

Repair Corrupt Files

Download and run Restoro to scan and restore decadent and missing files fromhither. Once done, proceed with the solutions below.

Reasons why your Windows Key does not Piece of work

This problem is related to either your PC settings including the software you have installed, or it could exist tied to your keyboard itself. Your best bet is to try another keyboard if you have one. If the problem disappears that suggests y'all take a suspect central on the original keyboard. If the trouble doesn't get abroad you can assume it's a Windows problem. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to bring up task manager. If the task managing director does non come upwardly, then yous might accept a malware problem.

A common reason for this problem is equally seen on gaming keyboards. These keyboards have two modes; a standard mode and a gaming mode. At that place is a switch to change between these modes. You might flip a switch, press a push, utilize the software, or utilize a combination to toggle between the modes. The gaming mode stops the Windows central from working to prevent your game from exiting when the Windows fundamental is accidentally pressed.

In that location is also a possibility that your Windows key is disabled within the Windows OS registry editor itself, hence Windows is not able to accept a request by this primal. A disabled commencement menu will as well show this trouble. This could accept been done by some software, game, or malware.

Bad drivers, incompatible drivers, or outdated drivers tin also cause your keyboard to freeze your Windows key. These symptoms can also be manifested if File Explorer/Windows Explorer, which drives your user interface, did not commencement correctly. There could too be a conflict between devices as seen when the game controller is plugged in.

In the worst cases, your keyboard could exist mechanically or electrically damaged hence needing replacement. Here are solutions that could get you lot back on track.

Note: Since Windows Shortcuts will non piece of work because of this error, we are going to use longer methods instead of windows shortcuts that require the Windows Key.

Method 1: Disable Gaming Mode on your Keyboard

Some keyboards, usually marketed as "gaming", take the ability to plough off Windows keys via some hardware switch or Fn primal combination in guild to forestall pressing this key which commonly exits your game. The gaming fashion key is normally marked with a joystick drawing. Here is how to disable gaming mode on some of the popular gaming keyboards.

  1. On Logitech keyboards, there is a switch higher up the F1, F2 & F3 function keys that you lot can flip to the right for gaming mode and to the left for regular use. Flip it to the left. Other versions have a gaming mode button higher up F4, printing the button to toggle in betwixt gaming and standard modes.
  2. In some keyboards, beside the right Ctrl button, instead of a second Windows push button, at that place is a "Win Lock" push button (not the carte du jour push). Printing it to enable the Windows primal.
  3. Corsair keyboards have their own software to suit lighting, functionality, etc. Run the Corsair software (which has an option to enable/disable the windows key) and enable your Windows key.
  4. The Azio keyboard also has such a switch in the MGK1 series. MGK1 & MGK1-Thousand: Press FN and F9 at the same time. For MGK1-RGB: Press FN and Windows Starting time Key at the same time.
  5. For the MSI figurer/laptop keyboards, you tin switch turn on the Windows key from the Dragon Gaming Center > Arrangement Tuner.
  6. For the ibuypower keyboard, press fn + ibuypower (aka windows primal) to toggle Windows key on and off
  7. For Alienware gaming keyboard, press Fn + F6 to toggle gaming mode on and off
  8. For MS Sidewinder keyboard, get into MS Keyboard & Mouse Middle and you tin click the Windows key in the dashboard and ready information technology to enabled/disabled

Method 2: Enable Windows Key using Registry Edit

The registry can let or restrict a lot including keyboard keys and menu items. To enable your Windows key:

  1. Click Offset, blazon 'Run' and click Run, or in Windows 8/10 right click on the start push button and click run
  2. Type 'regedt32', and and then click OK. Click Yes if y'all become any EULA bulletin asking for confirmation.
  3. On the Windows card, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.
  4. Double-click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control binder, and and then click the Keyboard Layout folder.
  5. Right-click the Scancode Map registry entry, and then click Delete.
  6. Click Yes on the confirmation/alarm message.
  7. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.

If y'all need to disable Windows key again, we have a guide for you on our website (here).

Method 3: Re-Register all Apps

This volition clear any software conflict with your keyboard

  1. Click on the Windows button.
  2. Type 'PowerShell' and then right click on 'Windows PowerShell' and run every bit an administrator.
  3. If your beginning button doesn't work when you click on it, get to this location:
    C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Showtime Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\

    and right click on "Windows PowerShell" and run equally administrator

  4. Type or re-create and paste the script below into the PowerShell window and press enter
    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

  5. Restart your PC

Method 4: Enable the Start Menu

In cases where your start key does non bring up the start card, there is a possibility the beginning menu was disabled. To enable it, follow the steps below.

  1. Correct click on the Start Button and select "Run" or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and go to File > click run a new task from task managing director.
  2. Type "regedit" (without the quotes)
  3. Navigate to this key
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer > Advance
  4. Right click on the right hand side panel and create a new DWORD (32-flake) value
  5. Phone call the new key "EnableXamlStartMenu"
  6. Restart your PC or restart Explorer using task managing director as explained in method 5 below.

Method 5: Restart Windows / File Explorer

Explorer controls your Windows user interface. This method will restart Windows/File Explorer and articulate whatsoever errors that prevented it from starting correctly.

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del on the keyboard and click on task manager.
  2. Click on the Process tab and locate Explorer in the windows and right click on it and select end task.
  3. Click on File and then click on Run New Task.
  4. Type 'explorer.exe' and press enter.

Method half-dozen: Turn off Filter Keys

This has been seen as one of the culprits in Windows 8 and Windows ten bug. Turning on filterkeys ignores or slows down repeated key strokes and adjusts repeat rates. Somehow, the windows key is also affected on some keyboards. To plow off filter keys:

  1. Drag your mouse to the correct edge of your Windows viii PC and click settings. In windows 10, right click on your outset card and select settings.
  2. From the Windows settings page, ringlet downwards and click on Ease of Admission
  3. Click on the keyboard tab on the left hand pane
  4. Scroll down to 'filter keys' and turn it off

Method 7: Uninstall and reinstall your keyboard drivers

Uninstalling the bad keyboard drivers will reinstall the right drivers for your keyboard.

  1. Correct click on the Start Button and select "Run" or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open task manager and go to File > run a new task.
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and hitting enter to open device managing director

  3. Expand the 'Keyboards' department

  4. Right click on your keyboard drivers and select 'Uninstall device'
  5. On the warning message that appears, click on 'Yeah' or 'Uninstall' to remove these drivers
  6. If yous have a USB keyboard, unplug it then plug it back in. Or restart your estimator. Windows will reinstall the drivers automatically. Cheque if Windows key now functions.

Method 8: Unplug your game controller

Your Windows key might not function some times when your game pad is plugged in and a button is pressed downward on the gaming pad. This could be caused by conflicting drivers. It is rear however, but all you need to exercise is unplug your gamepad or make sure no push button is pressed down on your gaming pad or keyboard. Updating your gamepad or keyboard drivers might permanently solve this problem.

NB: Think that this could also be a hardware/mechanical/electric problem on your keyboard that would warrant repair or replacement.

Kickoff Menu not opening with Windows Key

If your Windows key is working fine everywhere but your Start Menu is not popping up afterwards printing the Windows central. It's possible that your Cortana or Start menu files have been corrupted. In that instance, you will take to head over to this article. You can click on this link if your Windows ten First Carte du jour not working. We have covered this consequence with all-encompassing details and likewise gave some solutions/workarounds that you can try.