Why would anyone want to disable the keyboard on a Windows PC? Well, if you watch videos on your PC with your toddler, the chances are that you want to temporarily block or disable the keyboard to stop the toddler from pausing or forwarding the video by hitting the keyboard.
Like its predecessors, Windows 10 also doesn’t offer an easy way to disable the keyboard, but disabling the keyboard in Windows 10 is not a tough job either. You can disable with or without the help of third-party utilities. And if you’re looking for a way to disable a specific key, refer to our how to disable any key on the keyboard in Windows 10.
The following are the five easy methods to turn off the keyboard on a Windows 10 PC.
Method 1 of 5
Use Device Manager to disable keyboard
This method is not for the built-in keyboard, meaning you might not be able to disable your PC’s built-in or laptop keyboard.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start button on the taskbar to see the power user menu. Click Device Manager to launch the same.
Note that you can also launch Device Manager by typing its name in Start/taskbar search and then press the Enter key.
Step 2: Once Device Manager is launched, expand Keyboards to see connected keyboards.
Step 3: Right-click on the keyboard entry and click the Uninstall device option. If you have connected multiple keyboards, you need to disable one by one.
Step 4: Click the Uninstall button when you see the confirmation dialog. If you are asked to reboot your PC, please click the Yes button to restart your PC and disable the keyboard.
Method 2 of 5
Use KeyFreeze to disable the keyboard in Windows 10
KeyFreeze is a free utility designed to help you quickly disable the keyboard on a Windows PC. KeyFreeze can disable your laptop’s built-in keyboard as well.
Using KeyFreeze is relatively easy. After running the software, click Lock Keyboard & Mouse button to disable keyboard and mouse. To enable keyboard and mouse again, simultaneously press Ctrl + Alt + Del keys on the disabled keyboard (to get Ctrl + Alt + Del screen) and then click Esc key.
The catch is that you cannot disable only the keyboard, like most other software.
KeyFreeze is not a standalone software, and it doesn’t offer a full offline setup as well. The official website provides only the web setup, which, when you run downloads and installs the actual KeyFreeze software.
Method 3 of 5
Use Kidkeylock to password protect keyboard and mouse
Unlike other tools mentioned in this article, this is an advanced program to disable keyboard and mouse/touchpad. The core feature of Kidkeylock is its ability to password protect your keyboard and mouse.
It also enables you to disable only the left, right, or middle mouse button. The tool also allows you to disable only certain key combinations.
To completely disable the keyboard, please move the slider to the extreme right. As you can see in the picture, you can change the default password as well.
Download Kidkeylock
Method 4 of 5
Keyboard and Mouse Cleaner to disable keyboard
Keyboard and Mouse Cleaner is a portable utility designed to disable keyboard and mouse on Windows PCs for user-defined time. This means you can disable keyboard and mouse up to a few seconds, minutes, or hours.
Download Keyboard and Mouse Cleaner
Method 5 of 5
Block keyboard using CrazyLittleFingers
CrazyLittleFingers is another excellent piece of software out there to help you block the keyboard on your PC. The best thing about this software is it’s portable, which means nothing, but you don’t need to install the software to run it.
Download and run the software to block the keyboard and mouse. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del simultaneously and then press Esc key to unblock keyboard and mouse.
The drawback is that it displays a black screen when you disable the keyboard and mouse. So, if you want to enjoy a movie after disabling the keyboard and mouse, this is not the perfect software.
We also recommend you go through our 3 ways to disable touchpad in Windows 10 guide.
Sharon says
What if I want to disable the laptop keyboard so I can use the wireless keyboard I prefer? I don’t want a solution that would disable them both.
I know about the device manager method and that works fine when I’m docked. But if I want to leave my office and work on the couch, I have to remember to go back into device manager to get the laptap keyboard working again.
Suggestions?
admin says
Looks like a nice utility you have there, Chris. Thanks for sharing.
Chris Wood says
Another alternative is Desplodge. A simple tool that disables your keyboard, mouse and touchscreen until you enter a four-digit code.
desplodge.com
x x ss says
Block keyboard using CrazyLittleFingers
Dzul says
I used the Kidkeylock and disabled all of my keys , but I didn’t know it would lead to my razer keyboard being disabled too. I can’t type and am afraid to restart my computer. I need help quickly.
ED Becker says
Thank you for these suggestions. Many folks are trying to find a workaround now that the keyboard and mouse do not get automatically shut off when switching to tablet mode. These seemed promising. However… So far, I have tested KeyFreeze and Keyboard Cleaner. Both do what they claim to do (disable the keyboard and mouse) just fine. However, when either program is activated, the on-screen keyboard seems to be disabled, along with the built in keyboard. As such, this is a fine solution for watching a movie, but a less than useful solution if you are trying to type in tablet mode…