Suppose you find yourself wrestling with an internal laptop keyboard that either feels too cramped, malfunctions frequently or poses other inconveniences. In such instances, you might be tempted to rely solely on an external keyboard for your typing needs. If you’re running Windows 11 and seeking a solution to this dilemma, you’ve landed on the right risewindows article. We understand that diverse needs require diverse solutions, so we’ll be walking you through not one, but two distinct methods to effectively disable your laptop’s internal keyboard. Whether you prefer the Device Manager approach or the Local Group Policy Editor, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find a step-by-step guide tailored to your preferences.
How to Disable Laptop Internal Keyboard Using Device Manager?
To disable the internal Keyboard using Device Manager, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Device Manager.
For that, right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Next, in the Device Manager window on your computer, expand the Keyboards.
Step 3. After that, right-click on the internal Keyboard and choose the Disable option.
If you don’t find a Disable option in the right-click menu, click Uninstall device to disable the keyboard temporarily. That’s why when you restart your laptop, Windows will install the drivers again, and your keyboard will start working.
How to Disable Laptop Internal Keyboard Using Group Policy?
Using the Local Group Policy Editor, you can set your keyboard not to install the drivers. With the help of this, you can block your Laptop keyboard from reinstalling the drivers when you restart your device.
Firstly, ensure that gpedit.msc only applies to Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise edition devices. If you are using Windows 11 Home Edition, you’ll need to enable the Group Policy on your machine.
Then, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Open the Device Manager.
Step 2. Then, expand the Keyboards.
Step 3. Next, right-click on the internal Keyboard and select the Properties option.
Step 4. Next, switch to the Details tab in the Properties dialog.
Step 5. Then, select Hardware Ids from the Property drop-down menu.
Step 6. After that, In the Value area, right-click on the first entry and select the Copy option (paste in Notepad).
Step 7. Then, open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows + R keys on the keyboard.
Step 8. Next, type gpedit.msc and click the OK button to open the Local Group Policy Editor window.
Step 9. After that, under the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following path from the left sidebar:-
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation > Device Installation Restrictions
Step 10. On the right side of the Device Installation Restrictions folder, double-click the policy “Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device instance IDs.”
Step 11. Now, select the Enabled option.
Step 12. Then, click on the Show button under the Options section.
Step 13. After that, in the “Show Contents” dialog box, under the Value column, double-click the space bar and paste the ID you have copied in Step 6.
Step 14. Then, click OK.
Step 15. Next, click Apply.
Step 16. Click OK.
Step 17. After that, again, open the Device Manager.
Step 18. Then, expand the Keyboards entry.
Step 19. Then, right-click on the internal Keyboard and select the Uninstall device option.
Step 20. At last, reboot your laptop.
After the above steps, your laptop’s built-in keyboard should be disabled. Even when you restart your computer, drivers for the keyboard will not install.
Conclusion
Disabling a laptop’s internal keyboard on Windows 11 can be a lifesaver for those who prefer using an external keyboard or are experiencing issues with their built-in one. Fortunately, with the outlined steps leveraging the Device Manager or the Local Group Policy Editor, users can seamlessly and effectively achieve this task. So, whether it’s temporary or a more long-term fix you’re after, the guidance provided ensures a tailored solution to fit your needs.
