How to Disable Sticky Keys, Alt + Tab, Windows Key for Smooth Gaming

    Many of you gamers may have encountered problems when you press the Windows key or by holding the Alt and Tab (or Windows key + Tab) keys together, or when activating sticky keys. When you press these keys your game will minimize to the task bar immediately, thus interrupting your game and keep in mind that your game will not even pause. The game will still be active but you won’t be able to continue playing until you maximize the game from the task bar.

    Through this article you will learn how to disable these keys so that you can play games smoothly without any interruptions.

      1. Turn Off the Windows Key

First let us see how we can disable the Windows key. Windows key is useful when we want to open or close the start menu quickly and hence it is not ideal to disable it permanently. You can turn off the windows key temporarily (when playing games) by using the AutoHotkey application. The procedure is explained below.

      2. Alt + Tab and Windows key + Tab combinations

These combinations will show all the open applications and folders. So when pressing these combinations, your game will minimize to the taskbar. These combinations can also be temporarily disabled by using AutoHotKey. The procedure is explained below.

First download AutoHotKey from this link.

After installing, open it. Select File, and then Edit Script.

A notepad file opens up. Clear the default script in the notepad and insert the following scripts.

!Tab::Return

#Tab::Return

LWin::Return

RWin::Return

    The first line disables the Alt + Tab, the second script disables Windows key + Tab, the third script disables the left Windows key and the fourth disables the right Windows key.

    

    Then save and close the Notepad. Then from the AutoHotKey Window, select File and then select Reload Script. Now you don’t have to bother about these keys when you are gaming because the keys have been disabled. After gaming you can enable these keys again by going to File, then select Suspend Hotkeys.

      3. Sticky Keys

    Sticky keys appear when you press the shift key five times. To turn off sticky keys, press the shift key five times. A window will appear. If it doesn't appear you may have already disabled sticky keys. Else click on the Go to the Ease of Access Center to disable the keyboard shortcut link. Just uncheck Turn on Sticky Keys when SHIFT is pressed five times. Click on OK button.

    Filter keys is also similar to sticky keys. It occurs when you hold down the right shift key for eight seconds. If a window doesn't pop up when you hold it down for eight seconds, you may already have it disabled. Else follow the same procedure as sticky keys.

    After correctly executing the above steps, you can enjoy smooth gaming, without any interruptions. Say good bye to interruptions and let’s get gaming.

About the Author

Khurshid Kamar

    Khurshid Kamar is a student of Computer Science Engineering who has merged his
passion for all things technological with his enthusiasm for writing. This computer geek
spends most of his free time looking up the latest what’s what in technology and the rest,
watching movies and anime, listening to rock music and Eminem, hanging out with other
nerdy friends and quoting Fight Club. Connect with him on Google+