You just bought a new laptop, you're trying to open the Start menu, but you can't find the one you're used to Win key? Or did it suddenly stop working, and without it it’s inconvenient to manage the system? This situation is familiar to many users - especially owners of compact ultrabooks or laptops with a non-standard layout.

Button Windows (aka Win, Super or Start) is one of the most important on the keyboard. It not only opens the main menu, but is also used in dozens of combinations for quick access to system functions. However, laptop manufacturers sometimes “hide” it in unexpected places, replacing it with Fn-combinations or completely excluded. In this article we will figure out where to look Win key on different models, how to activate it if it is missing, and what to do if it malfunctions.

Standard location of the Win key on laptops

On most full-size keyboards Windows button located in the lower left corner, between Ctrl And Alt. This is the classic layout used ASUS, Lenovo, HP and other brands in most models. However, there are nuances:

  • 🖥️ On 15-17 inch laptops (For example, MSI GF63 or Acer Nitro 5) the key is usually full-size, with the Windows logo.
  • 💻 On 13-14 inch ultrabooks (like Dell XPS 13 or MacBook with Boot Camp) it can be reduced or moved closer to the space.
  • 🎮 On gaming laptops (For example, Alienware m16) sometimes a second key is added Win to the right of the space for the convenience of gamers.

If your laptop is equipped number block (Numpad), look for the button to the left of Alt - where the main part of the keyboard begins. On some models (for example, HP Pavilion) it can be combined with Fn and require a hold to activate.

📊 What laptop do you have?
  • ASUS
  • Lenovo
  • HP
  • Dell
  • Acer
  • Apple (with Boot Camp)
  • Other

Where to look for Win on compact and netbooks

Manufacturers of compact devices often sacrifice a standard layout to save space. This is where he can “hide” Windows key on these laptops:

  • 🔍 Below the button Fn: on some 11-12 inch models (For example, Lenovo IdeaPad Duet) it is activated by the combination Fn + Win (the button itself can be signed like Super).
  • 🔄 Together with Alt: on netbooks (like ASUS Eee PC) the key is sometimes combined with the right Alt and fires when pressed Fn.
  • 🖱️ Physically absent: on some 2-in-1 devices (For example, Microsoft Surface Go) it is replaced by a touchpad or virtual keyboard.

If you can't find the button visually, try clicking all the keys in the bottom row in turn - sometimes the Windows logo is applied with barely noticeable paint or is absent altogether (as on some models Chuwi or Jumper).

How to check if the Win key works?

Click it and the Start menu should open. If nothing happens, try the combination Win + E (opens Explorer). If this does not work, the key is either disabled in the BIOS or is faulty.

Win key on MacBook and macOS laptops

On devices Apple physical button Windows no, but it appears in two cases:

  1. When using Boot Camp: After installing Windows on MacBook key Command (⌘) automatically fulfills the role Win. That is, to open the Start menu, press ⌘.
  2. On external keyboards: if connected to Mac PC keyboard (for example, Logitech MX Keys), button Win will work like Command, and Alt - how Option.

Interesting fact: on MacBook with touch panel Touch Bar (2016–2020 models) key Win can be added manually through the keyboard settings. To do this:

  1. Open System Preferences → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts.
  2. Select Add a combination and assign an action (for example, Show Start Menu).
  3. Give it a combination, for example, Fn + Tab.
💡

On a MacBook with Windows you can change the key assignments via Boot Camp Command And Option in the keyboard settings, if you are more accustomed to using Win right.

What to do if the Win key does not work

If the button is physically present, but does not respond to presses, the problem may be in the drivers, system settings, or hardware failure. Go through this checklist:

Check the key in the BIOS (if it doesn’t work there too, the problem is in the hardware)

Update your keyboard drivers through Device Manager

Disable Gaming mode in your keyboard settings (if available)

Try an external USB keyboard

Reset BIOS to factory settings-->

A common reason is disabling a key in the registry (for example, after cleaning the system with utilities like CCleaner). To get it back working:

  1. Click Win + R, enter regedit and follow the path: 
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
  2. Remove parameter Scancode Map, if it exists.
  3. Restart your laptop.

If the key does not work only in games, the mode is to blame Game Mode (for example, on keyboards Razer or SteelSeries). Disable it in the firmware or click Fn + Win to unlock.

💡

Before editing the registry, create a system restore point! Errors in the registry can cause Windows to not work.

How to open the Start menu without the Win key

If the button is missing or broken, use alternative methods:

Method How to use Notes
Keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Esc Works on all versions of Windows
Mouse/touchpad Click on the Windows logo on the taskbar If the panel is hidden, move your cursor to the lower left corner
On-screen keyboard Run osk.exe through Win + R Visually click the button Win
Voice assistant Say "Hey Cortana, open the Start menu" Requires microphone settings

For gamers who need to block accidental clicks Win in games, but retain access to the menu, a utility will do WinKey Disable. It allows:

  • 🎮 Disable the key only in full-screen applications.
  • 🔄 Assign a replacement (for example, Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Start).
  • ⏱️ Enable automatic shutdown timer.

How to reassign another key instead of Win

If a physical button is missing or broken, you can assign another key (for example, Caps Lock or Scroll Lock) to perform functions Win. You can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Via PowerToys (Windows 10/11)

  1. Install Microsoft PowerToys from the official website.
  2. Open the module Keyboard Manager.
  3. Click Remap a key and select the target key (for example, Caps Lock).
  4. Assign her an action Left Windows (Win).

Method 2: Through the registry (for advanced users)

If PowerToys doesn't work, change the key assignments manually:

  1. Create a backup copy of the registry.
  2. Follow the path: 
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
  3. Create a binary parameter Scancode Map with the value corresponding to the new key (for example, for Caps Lock this is 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 3A 00 5B E0 00 00 00 00).
💡

Before changing the registry, check the key scan codes on the website Microsoft Docs — an error in the value can lead to the keyboard not working.

⚠️ Attention: Reassigning system keys (for example, Ctrl or Alt) may break the combinations in some programs. Test changes in safe mode.

Frequently asked questions about the Win key on laptops

Why are there two Win keys on my laptop?

This is typical for gaming laptops (eg. ASUS ROG or MSI Raider). An additional button to the right of the spacebar allows you to quickly use combinations (for example, Win + → to attach a window) without stretching your arm. It can be disabled in the BIOS or through proprietary software (for example, Armoury Crate from ASUS).

Is it possible to use the Win key on Linux?

Yes, on most distributions (eg. Ubuntu or Fedora) it's called Super and opens the application menu (similar to Start). To reassign it, use utilities like xmodmap or desktop environment settings (for example, GNOME Tweaks).

The Win key presses by itself - what should I do?

This is a typical problem when liquid gets under the keyboard or the membrane wears out. Solutions:

  1. Clean the keyboard with compressed air (without disassembling it!).
  2. Disable the key via PowerToys or registry.
  3. If the laptop is under warranty, contact a service center (self-repair will void the warranty).

On some models HP And Dell spontaneous pressing of Win may be related to the Synaptics driver - update it to the latest version.

How to open the Start menu on a Windows tablet?

On devices without a physical keyboard (for example, Microsoft Surface Pro or Lenovo Miix) use:

  • 🖱️ Touch the Windows logo on the taskbar.
  • 👆 Swipe gesture from the bottom edge of the screen up (in tablet mode).
  • 🎮 Connected keyboard or gamepad (button View on Xbox Controller fulfills the role Win).
Why did the Win key stop working after updating Windows?

Culprits:

  1. Driver conflict: Roll back the keyboard driver update in Device Manager.
  2. Damage to system files: Run on the command line (as administrator): 
    sfc /scannow
  3. Incorrect update: check the update log (Settings → Update & Security → View History) and delete the last one.