Where to look for the Win key on a laptop keyboard: a detailed guide 2026

You just bought a new laptop and are trying to open the menu "Start" a familiar combination Win + Ebut nothing happens? Or maybe a key Win accidentally fell off, and you don’t know where it should be? This problem is familiar to many - especially those who have switched from a desktop PC to a compact laptop or use a device with a non-standard layout.

In this article we will not just show where is the win button on the keyboard (including models MacBook, where it doesn’t exist at all!). We'll look at:

• 🔍 Typical location on keyboards Windows-laptops (with photos and diagrams).
• 💻 Features layouts for different brands: Lenovo, HP, Dell, Acer etc.
• ⚙️ What to do, if a key is broken, missing or not working (including software alternatives).
• 🍎 How to emulate Win on MacBook without flashing.

You will also find out why on some laptops the key Win specifically disabled in BIOS - and how to fix it in 2 minutes. Let's start with the most obvious!

1. Standard location of the Win key on most laptops

90% of laptops are running Windows key Win (aka Windows, Super or Flag) is in lower left corner of the keyboard, between Ctrl And Alt. It looks like the Windows logo - four squares folded into a window.

Here's what it looks like on a typical layout:

If your laptop is not on this list, don't worry - the placement principle is almost always the same. The exceptions are:

• 🎮 Gaming laptops (For example, MSI or Alienware), where the key can be moved for the convenience of gamers.
• 📱 Ultrabooks (type Microsoft Surface), where is the keyboard reduced, and Win is in an unusual place.
• 🍎 MacBook - here are the keys Win no in principle (more on this in section 5).

⚠️ Attention: On some laptops (eg Lenovo Yoga) key Win maybe combined with Fn - you need to press it while holding it down Fn!

2. What the Win key looks like: photos and design options

Key Win not always the same - its appearance depends on the laptop manufacturer and even on the model. Here are the main options:

• 🖼️ Classic logo: four squares (like on desktop keyboards). Found on Dell, HP, Acer.
• 🎨 Stylized logo: simplified icon (for example, on Asus ROG or MSI).
• 🔄 Double key: on some Lenovo And Samsung Win combined with Fn (you need to press while holding Fn).
• 🌈 Backlit key: On gaming laptops (e.g. Alienware or Razer Blade) can glow RGB backlight.

If you're not sure you've found the right key, try pressing it - a menu should open "Start". If nothing happens, check:

1. Is the key disabled? BIOS (rarely, but happens on some Lenovo And HP).
2. Is it physically broken (press harder - sometimes the contacts oxidize).
3. Is it overridden programmatically (for example, by utilities like SharpKeys or AutoHotkey).

On some laptops (especially Chinese brands like Xiaomi or Huawei) key Win maybe moved to the lower right corner - between Alt Gr And Menu. If you don't find it on the left, be sure to check on the right!

3. Where to look for Win on laptops with a non-standard layout

Some laptops have reduced or modified keyboard, where is the key Win hidden in a non-obvious way. Let's look at the most problematic cases:

📌 Laptops Microsoft Surface And Surface Pro

On keyboards Surface (especially Surface Pro X) key Win is located right from the space, not to the left. It is small and often missed when first getting acquainted with the device.

📌 Gaming laptops (MSI, Alienware, Razer)

Manufacturers of gaming devices sometimes transfer Win to unexpected places to avoid accidental clicks during the game. For example:

• On MSI GT76 key Win is located right from Alt Gr.
• On Alienware m15 she might be disabled by default (must be included in Alienware Command Center).
• On Razer Blade key Win reduced and is located next to Ctrl.

📌 Ultrabooks (LG Gram, Samsung Notebook 9)

On ultra-compact laptops, the key Win often combined on the other (for example, with Fn). To activate it, you need:

1. Click Fn + Win (if the key is combined).
2. Clamp FnLock (if there is such a key) to unlock Win.

4. What to do if the Win key is broken or missing

If the key Win is physically broken, has fallen off or simply does not work, do not rush to take your laptop to the service center. There are several ways to work around this problem:

🔧 Software alternatives

You can reassign another key for the role Win using utilities:

• 🛠️ SharpKeys — a free utility for reassigning keys (works through the registry).
• 🖱️ AutoHotkey — allows you to assign keyboard shortcuts (for example, Ctrl + Space instead of Win).
• 🎯 PowerToys (from Microsoft) - has a built-in Keyboard Manager.

#NoEnv
SendMode Input
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%

; Заменяем CapsLock на Win
CapsLock::LWin

{
"from": { "key_code": "left_option" },
"to": [ { "key_code": "left_gui" } ]
}

LWin::return