# Can I disable my Caps Lock key?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 28, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432 "2009-01-28T20:19:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/1 "2009-01-28T20:19:12Z")
As far as I’m concerned, the only reason the Caps Lock key exists is to piss me off when I hit it accidentally. I never use it on purpose and never plan to. sO, CAN i JUST TURN THE DAMN THING OFF?
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### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/2 "2009-01-28T20:39:02Z")
What version of windows are you using?
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### Author:  [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/3 "2009-01-28T20:43:14Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#):
>
> What version of windows are you using?
XP.
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### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/4 "2009-01-28T20:46:26Z")
Apparently you can do it using this procedure… use at your own risk! And let us know if it works…
[http://johnhaller.com/jh/useful\_stuff/disable\_caps\_lock/](http://johnhaller.com/jh/useful_stuff/disable_caps_lock/)
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### Author:  [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/5 "2009-01-28T20:54:17Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#):
>
> Apparently you can do it using this procedure… use at your own risk! And let us know if it works…
>
> [Disable Caps Lock (or turn it into something else) | JohnHaller.com](http://johnhaller.com/jh/useful_stuff/disable_caps_lock/)
I think I’ll stay away from this on my work computer. _Maybe_ I’ll give it a try at home.
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### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/6 "2009-01-28T20:57:07Z")
Googling “disable caps lock” turns up about a kabillion hits (of which **dolphinboy** ’s suggestion is the first). I imagine one of those might work.
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### Author:  [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/7 "2009-01-28T20:58:52Z")
I feel the same way about the “Windows” key.
So I took a small screwdriver, placed the tip under the key, pried it up, and -yes—threw the key into the trash can. Seriously…
Now there’s a nice little flat spot on my keyboard between “Crtl” and “alt”…
besides, I love the feeling of revenge as I defied the almighty power of Microsoft. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/8 "2009-01-28T23:10:27Z")
I use caps lock once in a while. More useful than disabling it altogether is a little utility that stops you turning on caps lock accidentally. You have to push and hold down the key for a time (adjustable) before it turns on. It will also play a sound (optionally) to let you know if you have turned caps lock on.
[http://members.execulink.com/~pjones/toggler/](http://members.execulink.com/~pjones/toggler/)
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### Author:  [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/9 "2009-01-28T23:26:31Z")
> [@chappachula](#):
>
> I feel the same way about the “Windows” key.
> So I took a small screwdriver, placed the tip under the key, pried it up, and -yes—threw the key into the trash can. Seriously…
>
> Now there’s a nice little flat spot on my keyboard between “Crtl” and “alt”…
> besides, I love the feeling of revenge as I defied the almighty power of Microsoft. 🙂
Logitech G15s have a switch to put the keyboard into “gamer mode” that disables the Windows and context sensitive menu (the one next in between ctrl and windows on the right side) buttons. It’s really nice.
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### Author:  [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/10 "2009-01-28T23:37:07Z")
> [@Wheelz](#):
>
> As far as I’m concerned, the only reason the Caps Lock key exists is to piss me off when I hit it accidentally. I never use it on purpose and never plan to. sO, CAN i JUST TURN THE DAMN THING OFF?
This is what I have done with every keyboard:
1- pull off the key
2- insert piece of cardboard underneath which prevents it from moving
3- replace key.
The key is there. It looks normal. It just does not move. You can restore it any time you want.
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### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/11 "2009-01-28T23:42:30Z")
I used to have a guy who worked for me who would always pull off that key and others whenever he got a computer. Made me nuts. Not that I really cared, but when we upgraded I always had to account to the IT department for why the keys were gone. In the end I would just end up saying: They’re gone, if it is really an issue I’ll pay for a new keyboard myself.
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### Author:  [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/12 "2009-01-29T00:25:11Z")
I use [this](http://www.brainsystems.com/capsunlock/). It also disables the _Insert_ key, which is rather inconveniently placed next to the delete key so gets hit a lot during editing of text, which is the last bloody time you want it to be accidentally switched on.
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### Author:  [@GorillaGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaGirl)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/13 "2009-01-29T00:26:15Z")
I use SharpKeys. Map your keys, write to the registry, then log off/log on or reboot. Download the zip file so you don’t need admin rights to install, and you can use it at work.
Download [here](http://www.randyrants.com/2008/12/sharpkeys_30.html), FAQ [here](http://www.randyrants.com/sharpkeys/faq.htm)
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### Author:  [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/14 "2009-01-29T02:26:06Z")
> [@chappachula](#):
>
> I feel the same way about the “Windows” key.
> So I took a small screwdriver, placed the tip under the key, pried it up, and -yes—threw the key into the trash can. Seriously…
>
> Now there’s a nice little flat spot on my keyboard between “Crtl” and “alt”…
> besides, I love the feeling of revenge as I defied the almighty power of Microsoft. 🙂
Ha ha ha! That’s awesome. I never realized that key was there. What’s it do???
I’m not touching it.
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### Author:  [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/15 "2009-01-29T02:37:14Z")
> [@bobo t](#):
>
> Ha ha ha! That’s awesome. I never realized that key was there. What’s it do???
> I’m not touching it.
It’s merely annoying, all it does is open the start menu. It’s often called by certain groups of gamers the “oh shit!” button because of the reaction it causes when you realize what you just hit instead of crouch or alt or whatever. I personally would never remove it, simply because window+d is such a useful shortcut (it automatically shows the desktop instead of having to minimize everything).
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### Author:  [@Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tool_of_the_Conspiracy)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/16 "2009-01-29T02:44:12Z")
I pop the Windows and “right-click” keys off my keyboards at work. At home, I just use pre-1995 keyboards.
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### Author:  [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/17 "2009-01-29T03:42:49Z")
> [@Jragon](#):
>
> It’s merely annoying, all it does is open the start menu. It’s often called by certain groups of gamers the “oh shit!” button because of the reaction it causes when you realize what you just hit instead of crouch or alt or whatever. I personally would never remove it, simply because window+d is such a useful shortcut (it automatically shows the desktop instead of having to minimize everything).
It also quick-locks the computer (+L), opens the explorer (+E), and probably does other stuff too.
But in my Doom deathmatch days, I definitely pulled that sucker out.
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### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/18 "2009-01-29T03:46:19Z")
> [@Jragon](#):
>
> [The Windows key is] merely annoying, all it does is open the start menu.
[I beg to differ:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_key#Shortcuts)
> [@Wikipedia](#):
>
> ```
> * Windows Logo Key to Open and close the Start Menu
> * Windows Logo Key + B to Select the first icon in the Notification Area
> * Windows Logo Key + D to Show Desktop
> * Windows Logo Key + E to Open My Computer
> * Windows Logo Key + F to Open Search
> * Windows Logo Key + F + Control Key to Open Search For Computers program
> * Windows Logo Key + F1 to Open Help
> * Windows Logo Key + L to Switch Between Users, or Lock desktop while unattended
> * Windows Logo Key + M to Minimize All Windows
> * Windows Logo Key + M + Shift Key to restore after Minimizing All Windows
> * Windows Logo Key + R to Open Run Dialog
> * Windows Logo Key + U to open Utility Manager
> * Windows Logo Key + Y to Open Yahoo Messenger (if loaded)
> * Windows Logo Key + Pause Key To Open System Properties
> * Windows Logo Key + Tab Key To Switch Between Active Windows
> * Windows Logo Key + X to enter Windows Mobility Center (Windows Vista+ only; does not work on desktop computers)
> * Windows Logo Key + P to switch Projection modes (clone, extend, single, multiple monitors, etc.) (Windows 7 only)
> * Windows Logo Key + Tab to switch windows using Flip 3D (requires Windows Aero, Windows Vista only)
> * Windows Logo Key + 1 to 9 to start according Quick Launch Toolbar program
>
> ```
I also have Windows + V mapped to a utility that pastes unformatted text.
It’s very useful if you know how to use it! (I prefer to stay off the mouse as much as possible.)
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### Author:  [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/19 "2009-01-29T03:53:15Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#):
>
> It also quick-locks the computer (+L), opens the explorer (+E), and probably does other stuff too.
You know, I quick-lock my computer but if someone asked me how I’d have to think a second. It’s just second nature and I totally forgot that window+l did that.
> [@Scarlett67](#):
>
> [I beg to differ:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_key#Shortcuts)
>
> I also have Windows + V mapped to a utility that pastes unformatted text.
>
> It’s very useful if you know how to use it! (I prefer to stay off the mouse as much as possible.)
I meant JUST the window key, I even mentioned window+d! I was referring to why people were removing it, because when you accidentally press it it opens the start menu and the window you were working in loses focus. The reason I said “merely annoying” didn’t mean the key only did annoying stuff I was just reassuring him pressing it didn’t do anything terrible (considering he was afraid to touch the key) so I was explaining the reason they were removing it was because it was “merely annoying” rather than it being “a honking malicious threat.”
Edit: There was a computer at my high school with a pre 1995 keyboard that I avoided using like the plague because it always made me realize how often I actually use the window key, so I am by no means against it.
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-disable-my-caps-lock-key/483432/20 "2009-01-29T03:58:53Z")
> [@Jragon](#):
>
> … window+d is such a useful shortcut (it automatically shows the desktop …
Whoa, I never knew that. Thank you.
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