What is the best way to clean your keyboard?

If you are cleaning for general crumbs and dust, use a can of compressed air and flip your computer to different angles, and spray in a zig-zag pattern. Then wipe off the keys. But, if you are cleaning a liquid spill, it's best to dismantle the keyboard and clean the switches with a damp rag and rubbing alcohol.

Can you disable a keyboard on an Apple computer?

You can press Ctrl + F1 for an Apple to lock the keyboard, but the disabling process is more complicated.

What is a keyboard driver?

A keyboard driver allows you access to advanced features and controls for your keyboard. It lets you configure and personalize shortcuts, key functions, and other settings.

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How to Disable a Laptop Keyboard

Written By:

Nathan Rizzuti

Updated February 10, 2023

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Difficulty Easy

Steps 8

Time Required 20 minutes

Sections

Things to Know

If your built-in keyboard has become a HAL-9000 style villain, or you’ve researched the greatest keyboards and have found something more useful, you’ll likely want to disable the old keyboard. Knowing how to disable a keyboard is a quick process that allows you to press the keys without them responding. So, whether you’re cleaning your laptop keyboard or figuring out how to fix your keyboard, we’ll show you how.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Using your Windows device manager to uninstall your laptop keyboard is the easiest and safest way to do the disabling process.
Disabling your keyboard allows you to use an external or wireless keyboard without worrying about hitting keys on your built-in keypad.
Using the Windows disabling process, you can easily reinstall your built-in keyboard once it’s fixed.

This article is going to focus specifically on Windows users. Still, we have articles like how to replace a Macbook air keyboard or how to connect a keyboard to an iPad for those looking for tips for Apple products.

How to Disable a Laptop Keyboard on Windows

Disabling a built-in keyboard is a simple step-by-step process that takes a few minutes. While there’s an option to disable your keyboard permanently, we’re going to take you through the recommended route of disabling it via the device manager. Going through the device manager is the safest option. Also, it allows you to reinstall the built-in laptop whenever you want to.

Insider Tip

It’s always a good idea to have an external keyboard handy if your current one stops working.

For any gamers trying to research keyboard content to optimize their setup, we have another great article on how to connect a keyboard and mouse to an Xbox and another one on how to use a keyboard and mouse on Xbox One without an adapter.

STEP 1

Open the dialog box by pressing (Windows Key + R).

STEP 2

Type “devmgmt.msc” into search bar. Then press “Ok.” This will bring up the device manager list.

STEP 3

Once in, find the keyboard dropdown option and expand the list.

STEP 4

Find the option that says “Standard PS/2 Keyboard”

STEP 5

Right-click this and then press “Uninstall Device.” Then when it asks, click yes to confirm.

STEP 6

Sometimes, you’ll have to restart the computer to disable the built-in keyboard fully.

STEP 7

Whenever you wish to reinstall the built-in keyboard, go back into the device manager and find the device installation option.

Warning

Only a licensed service professional can legally handle AC refrigerants, so call one if you need a coolant recharge.

STEP 8

Sometimes, computers will continue to reinstall the built-in laptop keyboard every time the computer restarts. If this is the case, you will need to go into the “Local Group Policy” editor and block the keyboard’s hardware ID from being recognized.

STAT: The majority of keyboards have 101 or 104 keys. (source)

References:

Nathan Rizzuti

An abiding consumer, Nathan cares a great deal about advocating and informing fellow users on their latest rights, options, and news updates concerning their beloved and expanding assembly of gadgets.