Enable/Disable Laptop Keyboard via Windows Registry

readme.md

Enable/Disable Laptop Keyboard via Windows Registry

Manually control your built-in PS/2 keyboard by modifying the i8042prt registry key. Useful for:

• Disabling faulty keyboards
• Troubleshooting stuck keys
• Switching to external keyboards permanently

📝 Registry Values Explained

Value	Name	Behavior	Recommended Use
0	Boot	Loads during boot sequence	Critical drivers
1	System	Loads during kernel initialization	Normal keyboard operation (Default)
2	Auto	Loads when needed	Rarely used
3	Manual	Loads only when manually triggered	May cause instability
4	Disabled	Prevents driver loading	Permanently disable keyboard

🛠 How to Modify

Method 1: Manual Registry Edit

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, hit Enter
2. Navigate to:

   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt
   

3. Double-click Start and modify the value

Method 2: Registry Scripts (.reg files)

Enable Keyboard (Default)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt]
"Start"=dword:00000001

Disable Keyboard

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt]
"Start"=dword:00000004

🚀 Usage Instructions

1. Save the desired code as .reg file (e.g., disable_keyboard.reg)
2. Right-click → "Merge"
3. Accept UAC prompt
4. Restart your computer

⚠ Important Notes

1. Always backup your registry before making changes:
   • In regedit: File → Export
2. Effects:
   • Only impacts PS/2 keyboards (most built-in laptop keyboards)
   • USB/external keyboards remain unaffected
3. Troubleshooting:
   • If keyboard stops responding, use On-Screen Keyboard (Win + Ctrl + O)
   • To reset completely, delete the Start value and reboot

🔄 Reverting Changes

To restore Windows default behavior:

1. Delete the Start value completely, OR
2. Set it to 1 (System)
3. Reboot

🤔 FAQ

Q: Why was my original value 3?
A: Some third-party keyboard utilities set this, but it may cause instability. Recommend using 1 (enabled) or 4 (disabled).

Q: Will this affect BIOS/keyboard during boot?
A: No, this only affects Windows driver loading after OS boots.

Q: What if my keyboard uses a different driver?
A: Check Device Manager → Keyboards for alternate drivers like HID Keyboard Device.

disable_keyboard.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt]
"Start"=dword:00000004

enable_keyboard.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt]
"Start"=dword:00000001