Since the invention of the start bill of fare, keyboards accept had the Windows key (besides known as the Winkey). This is a physical fundamental with the Microsoft Windows logo embedded on keyboards commonly on the left of the keyboard which is linked to the Start Menu, so when you press this key Beginning menu opens and if it doesn't open the either the Kickoff Card or the Windows button is not working. Some keyboards as well have 2; on the right and on the left of the keyboard. The Windows cardinal chop-chop brings upward the starting time menu; which is the most mutual process on a Windows figurer. This saves fourth dimension on dragging the mouse to the Start carte du jour push button on your screen.

Windows button

However, for some users, this button has acquired nothing only frustration. Whenever they press the Windows Key on the laptop, it does not seem to do its defended piece of work of bringing upward the first menu. This means Windows key shortcuts volition also non work. Shortcuts like Winkey + L to log out, Winkey + D to bring up the desktop, Winkey + R to open up run, Windows Fundamental + I to open Settings, or Windows Key + Tab to sweep through tasks will not work. However, the start menu still works fine when yous utilise the mouse. Others however cannot get this to work either. This article will assist in explaining this trouble and give you fixes to it.

Repair Corrupt Files

Download and run Restoro to scan and restore corrupt and missing files fromhere. Once done, go on with the solutions below.

Reasons why your Windows Fundamental does not Work

This trouble is related to either your PC settings including the software you accept installed, or information technology could be tied to your keyboard itself. Your all-time bet is to try another keyboard if y'all have one. If the trouble disappears that suggests you have a suspect cardinal on the original keyboard. If the problem doesn't get away you lot can assume it'south a Windows problem. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to bring up task manager. If the task manager does not come, then you might have a malware problem.

A common reason for this problem is as seen on gaming keyboards. These keyboards take two modes; a standard mode and a gaming fashion. There is a switch to change between these modes. You might flip a switch, press a button, employ the software, or use a combination to toggle between the modes. The gaming fashion stops the Windows central from working to forbid your game from exiting when the Windows key is accidentally pressed.

There is also a possibility that your Windows key is disabled within the Windows OS registry editor itself, hence Windows is non able to accept a request past this cardinal. A disabled start card will also testify this problem. This could have been done by some software, game, or malware.

Bad drivers, incompatible drivers, or outdated drivers tin can besides 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 non offset correctly. In that location could also be a conflict between devices as seen when the game controller is plugged in.

In the worst cases, your keyboard could be mechanically or electrically damaged hence needing replacement. Here are solutions that could become you dorsum on track.

Note: Since Windows Shortcuts volition not work considering of this error, nosotros are going to apply longer methods instead of windows shortcuts that require the Windows Key.

Method i: Disable Gaming Mode on your Keyboard

Some keyboards, usually marketed equally "gaming", take the ability to turn off Windows keys via some hardware switch or Fn key combination in order to prevent pressing this central which normally exits your game. The gaming manner key is usually marked with a joystick cartoon. Here is how to disable gaming mode on some of the popular gaming keyboards.

  1. On Logitech keyboards, there is a switch in a higher place the F1, F2 & F3 function keys that you can flip to the right for gaming style and to the left for regular use. Flip it to the left. Other versions have a gaming style push button above F4, press the button to toggle in between gaming and standard modes.
  2. In some keyboards, beside the correct Ctrl button, instead of a second Windows button, there is a "Win Lock" button (not the bill of fare button). Printing information technology to enable the Windows key.
  3. Corsair keyboards have their own software to accommodate lighting, functionality, etc. Run the Corsair software (which has an option to enable/disable the windows primal) and enable your Windows key.
  4. The Azio keyboard likewise has such a switch in the MGK1 serial. MGK1 & MGK1-K: Printing FN and F9 at the aforementioned fourth dimension. For MGK1-RGB: Press FN and Windows Start Primal at the aforementioned time.
  5. For the MSI figurer/laptop keyboards, you can switch turn on the Windows key from the Dragon Gaming Eye > System Tuner.
  6. For the ibuypower keyboard, printing fn + ibuypower (aka windows key) to toggle Windows cardinal on and off
  7. For Alienware gaming keyboard, press Fn + F6 to toggle gaming mode on and off
  8. For MS Sidewinder keyboard, go into MS Keyboard & Mouse Center and you lot can click the Windows central in the dashboard and set it to enabled/disabled

Method 2: Enable Windows Primal using Registry Edit

The registry can allow or restrict a lot including keyboard keys and card items. To enable your Windows central:

  1. Click First, type 'Run' and click Run, or in Windows eight/x right click on the beginning button and click run
  2. Type 'regedt32', and so click OK. Click Aye if you get any EULA bulletin asking for confirmation.
  3. On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ Automobile on Local Machine.
  4. Double-click the Organization\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, and then click the Keyboard Layout binder.
  5. Right-click the Scancode Map registry entry, and and so click Delete.
  6. Click Yes on the confirmation/alarm message.
  7. Shut Registry Editor and restart the reckoner.

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

Method three: Re-Register all Apps

This will clear whatever software conflict with your keyboard

  1. Click on the Windows push.
  2. Blazon 'PowerShell' and and then right click on 'Windows PowerShell' and run equally an ambassador.
  3. If your start button doesn't work when you click on it, go to this location:
    C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Get-go Carte\Programs\Windows PowerShell\

    and right click on "Windows PowerShell" and run every bit 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 Showtime Carte

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

  1. Correct click on the Get-go Push and select "Run" or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and go to File > click run a new task from task director.
  2. Type "regedit" (without the quotes)
  3. Navigate to this fundamental
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer > Advance
  4. Right click on the right hand side panel and create a new DWORD (32-bit) value
  5. Phone call the new key "EnableXamlStartMenu"
  6. Restart your PC or restart Explorer using task manager equally 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 clear whatever errors that prevented it from starting correctly.

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

Method 6: Turn off Filter Keys

This has been seen as ane of the culprits in Windows eight and Windows 10 issues. Turning on filterkeys ignores or slows downward repeated cardinal strokes and adjusts echo rates. Somehow, the windows primal is also afflicted on some keyboards. To plow off filter keys:

  1. Drag your mouse to the right edge of your Windows 8 PC and click settings. In windows 10, right click on your start menu and select settings.
  2. From the Windows settings page, scroll down and click on Ease of Access
  3. Click on the keyboard tab on the left paw pane
  4. Scroll downward to 'filter keys' and plough it off

Method seven: Uninstall and reinstall your keyboard drivers

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

  1. Right click on the Get-go Button and select "Run" or printing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open chore manager and go to File > run a new chore.
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and striking enter to open up device director

  3. Expand the 'Keyboards' section

  4. Right click on your keyboard drivers and select 'Uninstall device'
  5. On the warning bulletin that appears, click on 'Yes' or 'Uninstall' to remove these drivers
  6. If you lot take a USB keyboard, unplug it and then plug it back in. Or restart your computer. Windows will reinstall the drivers automatically. Check if Windows key at present functions.

Method 8: Unplug your game controller

Your Windows key might non role some times when your game pad is plugged in and a push is pressed downwards on the gaming pad. This could be caused by conflicting drivers. It is rear however, but all you lot need to exercise is unplug your gamepad or make sure no button is pressed down on your gaming pad or keyboard. Updating your gamepad or keyboard drivers might permanently solve this problem.

NB: Recall that this could too exist a hardware/mechanical/electrical trouble on your keyboard that would warrant repair or replacement.

Start Carte not opening with Windows Key

If your Windows primal is working fine everywhere but your First Menu is non popping up after press the Windows key. Information technology's possible that your Cortana or Showtime card files have been corrupted. In that case, yous will have to head over to this commodity. Yous can click on this link if your Windows 10 Start Menu not working. Nosotros accept covered this upshot with extensive details and also gave some solutions/workarounds that you tin can try.