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Disabling the "Windows" key

Forum Index > BW General
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1 2 Next All
westvolk
Profile Joined November 2005
United States29 Posts
November 20 2005 09:01 GMT
#1
So you are in the middle of a game and playing along happily, then suddenly things get hectic. In the heat of the moment instead of *ctrl*-clicking your unit, you push the "Windows" key on your keyboard (if you have one, it will be between "Alt" and "Ctrl" on the left side of the US-style keyboard). Just as suddenly, Broodwar minimizes and you are back on your desktop. In the three or so seconds it takes you to jump back into the game, your unit count is half of what it was before.

Ever happened to you? It happens to me at least 3-5 times a gaming session.

I thought I could disable the keys by right-clicking starcraft.exe and going through the properties, but it didn't seem to have any options for that (under WinXP Pro). So I am researching the issue on Microsoft's website and all I can find is this highly technical document: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/directx9_c/Disabling_Shortcut_Keys_in_Games.asp

Anyone got a better solution, or tried this and found it actually works? I don't want to mess with my registry if I don't have to...

Thx in advance!
aus.icy
Profile Joined December 2004
Australia64 Posts
November 20 2005 09:06 GMT
#2
Rip it out.
iloveStar
Profile Joined September 2003
United States517 Posts
November 20 2005 09:06 GMT
#3
simply dig it up.
I have no luck -.-
HappyManRun
Profile Joined November 2005
1111 Posts
November 20 2005 09:07 GMT
#4
Pluck it out :p
Or pluck it out and get the little rubber thingie(a conductive rubber, if you will) under the key out then put it back in.
I happy, thus I run.
StormSnarlX
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States278 Posts
November 20 2005 09:08 GMT
#5
he wants to be able to use windows key outside starcraft too you know >.<
Catz Forever <3
dronebabo
Profile Blog Joined December 2003
10866 Posts
Last Edited: 2005-11-20 09:11:28
November 20 2005 09:09 GMT
#6
--- Nuked ---
gLyo
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
United States2410 Posts
November 20 2005 09:09 GMT
#7
Just pop it off, the key is practically useless anyways.
http://benisonline.com
westvolk
Profile Joined November 2005
United States29 Posts
Last Edited: 2005-11-20 09:14:27
November 20 2005 09:12 GMT
#8
So, seriously, there is no easy fix for this? Because this stuff happens in other games too, but I am not as competitive about them, so it doesn't bother me as much.

And yeah, I do use my keyboard, including the win key, for things other than SC, so "ripping it off" doesn't really work here...

Edit: Apparently you guys are all nimble-fingered, professional typers who never hit a key by mistake? What I am saying is: Am I really the only one who ever had this problem?
dronebabo
Profile Blog Joined December 2003
10866 Posts
Last Edited: 2005-11-20 09:15:30
November 20 2005 09:15 GMT
#9
--- Nuked ---
rpf289
Profile Joined October 2004
United States3524 Posts
November 20 2005 09:16 GMT
#10
Pull off the left Windows key, but keep the right key on. You can still use it out of game, but you won't accidentally hit the key on the left (the one I almost always hit during a game). I hope you weren't talking about hitting the key on the right... -.-
shasin
Profile Joined May 2005
Romania899 Posts
November 20 2005 09:21 GMT
#11
ihh thats pretty complicated if you don't have a clue about programming. I'm not familiar with those variables, but maybe its already written and you just have to insert it. Otherwise, if its just an exemple, go to someone who knows about this shit and has the time.
Why don't you just remove the windows key, try a more brutal aproch :D
Begone the fools that lead me - I need not to know
gLyo
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
United States2410 Posts
November 20 2005 09:21 GMT
#12
What is the Windows keys use besides opening up the start menu, which you can do easily with the mouse..? There is another Windows key, anyways.

Just pop it off.
http://benisonline.com
westvolk
Profile Joined November 2005
United States29 Posts
November 20 2005 09:29 GMT
#13
I have not the slightest idea about DUXT programming, so I think I am going to try to download a utility for hotkeys, there seem to be plenty out there. If I find a good one that works, I will return to post it.

Thanks for all the interest and well-meant suggestions to destroy my keyboard!!

jk
dronebabo
Profile Blog Joined December 2003
10866 Posts
Last Edited: 2005-11-20 09:32:46
November 20 2005 09:32 GMT
#14
--- Nuked ---
ZaplinG
Profile Blog Joined February 2005
United States3818 Posts
November 20 2005 10:11 GMT
#15
i have a [fn] key that separates it from the ctrl key, so I dont really have a problem :/

but yeah, just pop it off.
Don't believe the florist when he tells you that the roses are free
Sha-Mat
Profile Joined October 2005
Greece277 Posts
November 20 2005 10:12 GMT
#16
i almost got all crazy over a missclick of the fucking win key in a game...
i would like to put it in the wall and punch it or throw a granade on it...
but i simply riped the useless thing out...
Few things are more beautiful than 11 probes exploding at once!
BroOd
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
Austin10833 Posts
November 20 2005 10:21 GMT
#17
This is what you want.
ModeratorSIRL and JLIG.
funkie
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Venezuela9376 Posts
November 20 2005 10:53 GMT
#18
On November 20 2005 19:21 BroOd wrote:
This is what you want.


That is a great program IMO!
CJ Entusman #6! · Strength is the basis of athletic ability. -Rippetoe /* http://j.mp/TL-App <- TL iPhone App 2.0! */
Sunce
Profile Joined October 2005
Poland111 Posts
November 20 2005 11:57 GMT
#19
a great program indeed!
dedicated
TeRRan`UseR
Profile Joined December 2004
Canada692 Posts
November 20 2005 12:09 GMT
#20
I have both my windows key and my F1 key removed. The F1 key really should be a location binder. Its normal purpose is absolutely useless.
AKAs FreeloSS @USwest Freel0ss @Europe
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