How did my Windows key become disabled?

Here is an alternative solution that worked for me just now.

I have an external keyboard plugged in my docked laptop and suddenly the Windows button didn't work anymore. Since the Win button on my laptop did work, my first thought was that they button was broken somehow.

But after reading through the comments here, I noticed that beside the right Ctrl button, instead of a second Windows button, there is a "Win Lock" button. Al I needed was to press it and the Windows button worked again lol :)
 
I do not have any gaming keyboard, still having the problem windows key, no other button on my keyoard to ON/OFF any such feature.
Using windows 8.
 
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK.
  2. On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.
  3. Double-click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, and then click the Keyboard Layout folder.
  4. Right-click the Scancode Map registry entry, and then click Delete. Click Yes.
  5. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.

This fixed it for me, 1000x thank you!
 
I have a Logitech G110 gaming keyboard, and when I was cleaning it I inadvertently enabled gaming mode when the switch featuring the Joystick icon above the F2 & F3 function keys was slid from the left (off) position to the right (on) position.

Note to self: clean keyboard when the computer is completely turned off, not just when the screen is locked.
This was the most helpful comment on here.
 
I have a Logitech G110 gaming keyboard, and when I was cleaning it I inadvertently enabled gaming mode when the switch featuring the Joystick icon above the F2 & F3 function keys was slid from the left (off) position to the right (on) position.

Note to self: clean keyboard when the computer is completely turned off, not just when the screen is locked.

You just saved me a massive headache - thanks
 
Yeey! Exact problem here. Didn't noticed that my "gaming" key was activated. G15 user.
This is very noobish problem, but thx for resolving it. Thx Dog501. <3
 
Problem solved thanx you all !!!
my logitech G15 button was set to "Game mode" instead of "Standard mode"
Switching it back to Standard has fixed the Win keys problem :)
 
I registered just so that I could add a comment to this. Although I do not use a Logitech keyboard, it turned out I had a similar issue. I am using a Corsair keyboard that has its own software to adjust lighting, functionality, etc. Somehow my Windows key got disabled randomly but as soon as I ran the Corsair software (which has an option to enable/disable the windows key) my Windows key resumed functioning again.

Long story short, even if you don't have a physical switch you might have keyboard software that controls your Windows key so be sure to check that as well. Cheers!
 
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