The keyboard is a necessary component for laptop use, although its need varies based on the situation. When using a touchscreen device and not expecting to engage in typing activities for an extended period of time, using the keyboard may be damaging rather than advantageous. Fortunately, there is a simple way to disable the laptop’s keyboard. This method is often used on a temporary basis, especially when the keyboard fails. Read on to learn how to disable a laptop keyboard and use an external keyboard, both temporarily and permanently.
Preamble
Laptops offer the advantage of having vital components necessary for basic computer functionality, including a touchscreen, screen, and keyboard. Certain users, however, indicate a preference for using external peripherals for a variety of reasons. As a result, people may want or need to deactivate the keyboard on their laptop. Different operating systems use different strategies to disable or deactivate the keyboard, each with its own set of limitations. The subsequent sections provide an in-depth overview of the methods to disable laptop keyboards.
How to Disable Laptop Keyboard
There are three methods available to disable the keyboard on your laptop. Thus, they include the following:
#1. Through the Device Manager
In Windows 11, the latest version of the Windows operating system, there is a new function that laptop users will find to be very helpful. It only takes a few hits to turn off the built-in keyboard if the person wants to.
#2. Through the Command Prompt
You don’t need to worry if you want to avoid the hassle of visiting the Device Manager every time you power on the laptop to disable the keyboard. You can permanently disable the keyboard through the use of the Command Prompt.
#3. Choose the Wrong Driver
Here is a powerful but unusual way to stop someone from using their computer. Using a driver pair that doesn’t work together can essentially turn off a laptop’s built-in keyboard. It may seem like an unusual way to do things, but it works, and it’s easy to undo the changes.
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How to Disable Laptop Keyboard Temporarily
The Windows keyboard can be disabled by using Microsoft’s Device Manager feature. As a result, you can accomplish the desired goal without relying on an external software application. Thus, to be able to disable a laptop keyboard temporarily, we recommend the following approach:
- To get to the Power User Menu, click the Start button and then click Device Manager. Use the Windows + R key combination to bring up the Run box. In the command box, type “devmgmt.msc” and press the Enter key.
- A clear list of all the devices that are currently connected to the system can be seen at the top of the Device Manager window. Click on the upside-down triangle icon next to the Keyboards category to see a list of keyboards that are related.
- Secondly, to be able to disable the laptop keyboard temporarily, choose the keyboard you want to turn off and right-click on it to open the context menu. Also, ensure that you turn off the option. To turn off more than one computer, you have to turn it off separately. If you can’t see the “Disable” option, it is best to choose “Uninstall.”
- When you start the process of uninstalling a device, you will see a confirmation box that asks you to confirm that you want to remove the device. To confirm the action, please choose the “Disable/Uninstall” choice.
- Lastly, to disable your laptop keyboard temporarily, you need to restart the gadget. When you turn on a Windows PC, it quickly reinstalls missing drivers. That is to say, to make the Windows keyboard work again, go back to the Device Manager window and use the keyboard’s context menu. In this case, choose either “Enable” or “Install.”
How to Disable Laptop Keyboard Permanently
It is important to remove the keyboard driver from the Windows personal computer in order to permanently disable a laptop keyboard. The goal is to prevent Windows from automatically installing the missing keyboard driver when the system reboots. The procedure has a higher level of intricacy; however, rest assured that we are here to provide direction and support. Below are the steps to disable a laptop keyboard permanently:
- The Windows + R keyboard shortcut can be used to open the Run text box. The user should then type “gpedit.msc” into the Run dialog box’s command field.
- To get to the settings you want, go to the sidebar on the left and open the Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Device Installation, and Device Installation Restrictions folders.
- On the right side of the window, you’ll see a list of options. Choose “Prevent Acquisition of Devices Not Described by Other Policy Settings” and change it.
- In the box that comes up, click the radio button next to the “Enabled” option and then click the “OK” button.
Once the changes have been made, it’s best to follow the steps above to remove or stop the keyboard driver. In this case, Windows won’t automatically update the keyboard driver. This means that the Windows keyboard will never work again. Generally, to disable a laptop keyboard permanently, you need to use the Group Policy Editor to undo the changes that were made. Restart your computer to start the automatic reinstallation of the driver that is currently missing. This will make your keyboard work again.
Just before you leave, you may want to see: TOP 7 BEST KEYBOARDS FOR PROGRAMMING 2023
How to Disable Laptop Keyboard and Use External
To use an external keyboard instead of the built-in keyboard on a laptop, you can modify the system settings to disable the internal laptop keyboard and enable the use of an external keyboard. Hence, to complete this task, you need to go to the Device Manager and manually uninstall the internal keyboard. Taking this action will result in the removal of both the keyboard itself and its corresponding driver. Below are ways to disable a laptop keyboard and use external:
- To disable the laptop keyboard and use an external one, you can launch the Windows search feature by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard or clicking the Start button on your taskbar.
- Enter “device manager” in the search box and press the Enter key to access the device manager. The device management tool will be launched as a result of this activity.
- To view the expanded content of the Keyboard section, navigate to it and choose it. A thorough listing of the keyboards installed on your laptop will be provided.
- A right-click operation on the internal keyboard can be used to obtain a contextual menu with several options.
- To confirm the choice, select “Uninstall” and then “Yes.”
On the other hand, it should be remembered that this is only a temporary solution because the personal computer (PC) will automatically look for a driver for the internal keyboard upon reboot.
Is It Better to Use a Laptop Keyboard or an External Keyboard?
The significance of external ergonomic keyboards lies in their provision of a distinct keyboard space that offers adjustability. The use of a laptop or tablet keyboard necessitates that users assume an uncomfortable and constrained posture. Frequently, the use of laptops is associated with the adoption of a posture characterized by a forwardly flexed neck and upper torso, as well as a deviation of the wrists towards the radial side.
What Is the Disadvantage of Laptop Keyboard?
Efficient and proper keyboard input is crucial for optimal productivity and comfort. Furthermore, the keyboards in question demonstrate a decrease in key spacing and travel, and their layout often experiences compromises. The negative impact of laptop keyboards on typing speed has been observed, resulting in a less comfortable user experience overall.
Why Keyboard Is Better Than Touch Screen?
The utilization of keyboard shortcuts is not feasible on a touchscreen interface. Typing speed is generally higher on a physical keyboard compared to other input methods. When operating Windows in touchscreen mode, it is more ergonomically favorable to utilize a mouse for enhanced precision in clicking actions. The touchscreen interface is most optimal for mobile devices or tablets with a screen size of less than 10 inches.
How Do I Open the Internal Keyboard in Windows 10?
To use the on-screen keyboard, navigate to the Start menu and proceed to the Settings option. Pick the keyboard next, then ease of use. Finally, enable the toggle switch located under the Use the On-Screen Keyboard setting. The screen will display a keyboard that enables users to navigate the screen and input text. The keyboard will persist on the display until it is manually closed.
What Is the Shortcut Key to Enable Keyboard on Laptop?
The most efficient techniques are as follows: Click RUN in the Windows search box or press Win + Ctrl + O. Enter OSK in the Run dialog box. Select OK. The proper way: Toggle the option to On in Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
Can a Laptop Keyboard Be Locked?
To lock the computer, you have to press the Ctrl, Alt, and L keys at the same time. The way it looks changes to show that the board has been properly fastened.
Is There a Function Lock on Keyboard?
The Esc key on some keyboards serves as a key to activate the function padlock feature. If the keyboard you are using has this feature, you will observe the presence of a diminutive padlock symbol on the Escape (Esc) key. In order to activate the Fn key lock, it is necessary to simultaneously depress the Fn key and the Esc key. Upon the illumination of the lock icon, it can be inferred that the Fn key has been effectively locked.
In Essence
Disabling the Windows keyboard can be useful in situations where it is necessary to remove debris or prevent unintended keystrokes from occurring. Uninstalling the keyboard driver can be an effective way to temporarily disable the device. On top of that, we have explained the steps to prevent the automatic installation of a missing driver on a Windows PC, which would otherwise result in the keyboard becoming non-functional. Use this technique whenever you need to disable the keyboard for a long period of time.
References
- alphr.com
- computerhope.com
- geekflare.com
- windowsreport.com
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