How to Customize or Disable App Keys for Keyboard in Windows 10

Some keyboards include additional keys on them that when pressed will open a Windows app or perform a specific action (command). The app keys available will vary per keyboard model, but the most common are Calculator, Mail, Mute volume, Search, and default Web Browser.

This tutorial will show you how to disable or change which app or action an app key on a keyboard will run when pressed in Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

You must be signed in as an administrator to customize an app key.

Here's How:

1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppKey

3 Expand open the AppKey key, and click/tap on an available number key (ex: "18") you want to change. (see screenshot below)

Key	Description
1	Back (Web browser)
2	Forward (Web browser)
3	Refresh (Web browser)
4	Stop (Web browser)
5	Search
6	Favorites (Web browser)
7	Web Home (Web browser)
8	Mute Volume
9	Volume Down
10	Volume Up
11	Next Track (media)
12	Previous Track (media)
13	Stop (media)
14	Pause/Play (media)
15	Mail
16	Media Select
17	This PC or My Computer
18	Calculator
19	Bass Down
20	Bass Boost
21	Bass Up
22	Treble Down
23	Treble Up
24	Mute Microphone
25	Volume Down Microphone
26	Volume Up Microphone
27	Help
28	Find
29	New
30	Open
31	Close
32	Save
33	Print
34	Undo
35	Redo
36	Copy
37	Cut
38	Paste
39	Reply (mail)
40	Forward (mail)
41	Send (mail)
42	Spell Check
43	Toggle Dictation on/off
44	Toggle Microphone on/off
45	Correction List
46	Play (media)
47	Pause (media)
48	Record (media)
49	Fast Forward (media)
50	Rewind (media)
51	Channel Up (media)
52	Channel Down (media)
53	Delete
54	Flip 3D

4 Do step 5 (ShellExecute), step 6 (Association), or step 7 (Undo - default) below for how you want to change the key.

You can only use the ShellExecute or Association string value or none for a key. You cannot use both the ShellExecute and Association string values together for a key.

5 Use "ShellExecute" to Set Key to Run Specified App or Command

This step will let you customize the key to open a specified app, or run any command like in a command prompt.

A) In the right pane of the key (ex: "18"), double click/tap on the ShellExecute string value (REG_SZ) to modify it. (see screenshot below)

If you do not have a ShellExecute string value (REG_SZ), right click or press and hold on an empty area in the right pane of the key (ex: "18"), click/tap on New, click/tap on String Value, type ShellExecute for the value name, and press Enter.

B) Type either the full path of the app you want the key to open, or type the command you want the key run, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)

If you leave the value data empty (blank) for ShellExecute, it will disable the key.

6 Use "Association" to Set Key to Open Default App of Specified File Extension

This step will let you customize the key to open whatever default app (ex: "Notepad") set for the specified file type extension (ex: ".txt").

A) In the right pane of the key (ex: "18"), double click/tap on the Association string value (REG_SZ) to modify it. (see screenshot below)

If you do not have a Association string value (REG_SZ), right click or press and hold on an empty area in the right pane of the key (ex: "18"), click/tap on New, click/tap on String Value, type Association for the value name, and press Enter.

B) Type the file extension (ex: ".txt") you want the key to open the default app for, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)

If you leave the value data empty (blank) for Association, it will disable the key.

7 To Undo "Association" or "ShellExecute" to Restore Default for Key

A) In the right pane of the key (ex: "18"), right click or press and hold on the Association or ShellExecute string value (REG_SZ), and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below)

B) Click/tap on Yes to confirm, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)

8 When finished, you can close Registry Editor if you like.


That's it,
Shawn

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