How to permanently disable Sticky Keys on Windows 11 [2024]

All trendy computer systems have particular modalities that accommodate customers with completely different skills and backgrounds. On Windows 11, one such function is Sticky keys which lets modifier keys like Shift and Alt stay lively even after they’re not being pressed. This is helpful for customers who can’t press two or more keys directly. But it doesn’t apply to everybody. 

By default, Sticky Keys is turned off. However, in case you press Shift 5 instances consecutively, you get a immediate asking you if you wish to flip Sticky Keys on or off.

When the keystrokes are unintended, these prompts could be disruptive, and a nuisance downright when it occurs sufficient instances. Disabling it completely is a good suggestion in case you don’t plan on using Sticky Keys.

What are Sticky Keys?

On Windows 11, there are a selection of accessibility options that make it simpler to make use of and work together with it, similar to Filter keys and Sticky keys, in addition to newly included QoL enhancements like Voice Typing, Narration, Live Captions, and tons more. Though helpful in their very own proper, they might not be for everybody.

Sticky Keys is a keyboard function that simplifies urgent keyboard shortcuts (that use a number of keys) one key at a time. So, for a shortcut like Ctrl + S, with Sticky Keys turned on, customers can press Ctrl as soon as, after which press S and carry out the save perform. Every key sticks, so that you don’t have to carry a number of keys directly. 

But for the typical consumer, this may be problematic if by chance turned on and can are available in the way in which of 1’s predefined keyboard habits. Sticky Keys additionally has its personal shortcut to shortly allow/disable it – urgent Shift 5 instances – which doesn’t make it any simpler to disregard its prompts.  

How to inform if Sticky Keys are turned on?

A fast approach to inform you probably have unwittingly turned on Sticky Keys is to verify within the hidden system tray. 

Click on the arrow icon within the taskbar on the correct. Here, in case you see the Sticky Keys icon, it’s turned on.  

Permanently disable sticky keys on Windows 11

If you don’t plan on using Sticky Keys and don’t wish to be prompted by it, listed here are a couple of methods you’ll be able to completely disable it on Windows 11.

Method 1: Using the Action Center

If Sticky Keys is presently turned on, you’ll be able to disable it simply from the fast settings menu (aka the Action Center). Here’s how:

1. Click on the Action Center within the taskbar.
   
2. Then click on on Accessibility.
   
3. Scroll down and switch off Sticky Keys.
   

Method 2: Using the Settings App

You can do more than simply disable Sticky Keys. If you’re irritated by its shortcut prompts, you will want to disable that as nicely. Here’s how to take action from the Settings app

1. Press Win+I and open the Settings app. Then choose Accessibility within the left pane.
   
2. Then scroll right down to the “Interaction” part and click on on Keyboard.
   
3. If Sticky Keys is turned on, disable it from right here.
   
4. To disable its different settings, click on on Sticky keys.
   
5. Then disable Keyboard shortcut for Sticky keys.
   
6. You may disable different choices right here however that’s not likely obligatory since they received’t come into motion till Sticky Keys is turned on. All besides the penultimate choice, which is nice to have enabled regardless since that’s there to “Turn off Sticky keys when two keys are pressed at the same time”.
   

Method 3: Using the keyboard shortcut

The identical settings may also be modified from the Sticky Keys immediate itself while you press Shift 5 instances in a row. Click on Disable this keyboard shortcut in Ease of Access keyboard settings.

Then repeat the identical steps as within the earlier methodology.

Method 4: From the Control Panel

Another approach to disable Sticky Keys is by way of the Control Panel. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Press Start, sort management panel, and hit Enter.
   
2. Select Ease of Access.
   
3. Click on Ease of Access Center.
   
4. Then scroll down and choose Make the keyboard simpler to make use of.
   
5. Make positive “Turn on Sticky Keys” is unselected. Then click on on Set up Sticky Keys.
   
6. Under “Keyboard shortcut”, unselect Turn on Sticky Keys when SHIFT is pressed 5 instances.
   
7. As earlier than, you don’t actually need to disable the remainder of the choices. But if you wish to be thorough and disable all of its choices, go forward. Disable all besides the choice to “Turn off Sticky Keys when two keys are pressed at once”.
   
8. Then click on Apply, and OK.
   

Method 5: Using the Registry Editor

A registry modification may disable Sticky Keys utterly. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Press Start, sort regedit, and hit Enter.
   
2. Then navigate to the next handle: HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelAccessibilityStickyKeys
   Alternatively, copy the above and paste it into the registry editor’s handle bar.
   
3. And hit Enter. Then double-click on Flags on the correct.
   
4. Change the worth to 58.
   
5. Then click on OK.
   
6. Now shut the registry editor and restart your system. This will disable Sticky Sticky Keys and its keyboard shortcut for good.
   

Method 6: Rename or Delete Sticky Keys within the Registry Editor (completely disable)

The aforementioned strategies solely disable Sticky Keys, which do a very good job of maintaining Sticky Keys quiet and stopping it from disrupting your Windows use. But if you wish to completely disable Sticky Keys so there’s no probability of it turning on, even by chance, right here’s how to take action using the Registry Editor:

1. Open the Registry Editor as proven earlier than (from the Start menu). Then navigate to the next handle, as earlier than: HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelAccessibility
   
2. Then right-click on “Sticky Keys” within the left pane and choose Rename.
   
3. Change its title to no matter you want.
   
4. Alternatively, you can too delete Sticky Keys right here by right-clicking on it and deciding on Delete.
   
5. When prompted, choose Yes.
   

Either approach will completely disable Sticky Keys. 

Method 7: Rename Sticky Keys .EXE file (to completely disable Sticky Keys)

Sticky Keys’ executable file, referred to as sethc.exe, is discovered inside the System32 folder. If any change is made to this file, Windows received’t be capable of discover and run Sticky Keys, which is strictly what we’re trying to do. 

1. Press Win+E and open File Explorer. Now navigate to the next handle: C:WINDOWSSystem32
   In this folder, we’re to seek out sethc.exe. But as an alternative of scrolling by means of, simply search for it in search. Click on the search field.
   
2. Then sort sethc.exe.
   
3. Now, earlier than you’ll be able to rename it, you will want to alter its permissions so that you’re not prevented from making any adjustments. Right-click on “sethc.exe” and click on Properties.
   
4. Then swap over to the Security tab.
   
5. Select the Administrators group after which choose Advanced.
   
6. Click on Change next to “Owner: TrustedInstaller”.
   
7. Click on Advanced.
   
8. Click on Find Now.
   
9. Find the “Administrators” group and choose it. Then click on OK.
   
10. Click OK once more.
    
11. Click on Apply.
    
12. Click OK to verify.
    
13. Click OK.
    
14. Now click on on Edit.
    
15. Here, choose the “Administrators” group. Then verify the field next to Full Control, below “Allow”.
    
16. Then click on OK.
    
17. Click OK to verify.
    
18. Finally, click on OK once more.
    
19. Now that you just’ve taken possession of this executable file, right-click on it and click on on the “Rename” icon.
    
20. Change the title nonetheless you want.
    

From now onward, Sticky Keys will stay disabled completely in your Windows 11 PC as a result of the system received’t be capable of discover the executable file by the title “Sethc.exe” if it’s referred to as into order.

How to allow Sticky Keys back?

If you’ve disabled Sticky Keys, the best approach to re-enable it’s to take action from the Settings app.

1. Press Win+I to open it and click on on Accessibility.
   
2. Select Keyboard on the correct.
   
3. Then merely activate Sticky Keys.
   

On the opposite hand, in case you’ve disabled Sticky keys completely, you’ll both should rename its executable file back to sethc.exe, or its registry key to ‘StickyKeys’ (with none area), relying on the tactic you used. 

FAQs

Let’s check out a few continuously requested questions on Sticky Keys. 

What are Sticky Keys in Windows 11?

Sticky Keys is a Windows keyboard function that makes it simpler to press keyboard shortcuts that use a number of keys (similar to Ctrl+S) by urgent one key at a time. This is a helpful accessibility function for disabled customers in addition to customers who’re recuperating from hand accidents. 

What occurs while you disable Sticky Keys in Windows 11?

When Sticky Keys is disabled, your keyboard will perform usually and you will want to carry down the keys when urgent keyboard shortcuts that use a number of keys. 

Why disable Sticky Keys?

If you wish to use your keyboard with its default settings and don’t wish to be notified of turning Sticky Keys on or off each time you by chance press Shift 5 instances in a row, it’s best to disable Sticky Keys and all its settings. 

How are Sticky Keys useful? Why keep them enabled?

Sticky Keys turn out to be useful when you might want to press keyboard shortcuts one key at a time. This is of immense assist to disabled and injured individuals who can not maintain down a number of keys collectively. It makes it handy to open shortcuts and apps even when all you should utilize is one finger. It’s good to maintain them enabled in case another person desires to make use of your PC, or in case your hand will get injured.   

How do I flip off Sticky Keys without end?

Sticky Keys could be disabled in plenty of methods – from the Quick Settings menu, the Settings app, the Control Panel, or by way of a registry modification. But if you wish to disable all its choices and switch it off without end, you will want to both rename its executable file (Sethc.exe) within the C:WindowsSystem32 folder, or its registry key (StickyKeys) below HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelAccessibility within the Registry Editor.

How do I flip off Sticky Keys notifications in Windows 11?

Sticky Keys notifications, prompts, and system tray icons can all be disabled from inside the Sticky Keys settings web page. Alternatively, the Control Panel and the Registry Editor may also be used for a similar function. Refer to our information above to know the way to take action.

Sticky Keys are helpful for many who want higher accessibility choices for keyboard inputs. But for everybody else, it will probably are available in the way in which of discovered keyboard habits and disrupt one’s workflow. We hope you had been capable of disable Sticky Keys without end using our information. Until next time, keep protected!