{"id":26538,"date":"2012-05-28T12:16:39","date_gmt":"2012-05-28T06:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=26538"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:40:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:10:53","slug":"disable-power-key-button-keyboard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Disable the Power Key on Your Keyboard (Stop Accidental Shutdowns)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Does your computer suddenly shut down when you reach for Print Screen or Delete? Some keyboards have a <strong>Power key<\/strong>, often next to Sleep and Wake keys, and one accidental press turns the PC off instantly, losing unsaved work. It happened to us repeatedly while blogging on an old keyboard. The good news: you can disable the power key on your keyboard in Windows in under a minute, without touching the hardware.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26549\" title=\"power-keys\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-keys.jpg\" alt=\"Disable power key on keyboard\" width=\"360\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-keys.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-keys-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-keys-50x34.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Open <strong>Control Panel \u2192 Power Options \u2192 Choose what the power buttons do<\/strong>, set <strong>When I press the power button<\/strong> to <strong>Do nothing<\/strong> (and the sleep button too, if you like), then click <strong>Save changes<\/strong>. Windows treats the keyboard power key like the PC&#8217;s power button, so this stops accidental shutdowns.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad34be95e9b4\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad34be95e9b4\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#What_is_the_power_key_on_a_keyboard\" >What is the power key on a keyboard?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#How_to_disable_the_power_key_in_Windows_11_and_10\" >How to disable the power key in Windows 11 and 10<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#Disable_the_power_key_on_a_Mac\" >Disable the power key on a Mac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#Our_story_the_keyboard_that_kept_shutting_down\" >Our story: the keyboard that kept shutting down<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#Other_ways_to_stop_accidental_shutdowns\" >Other ways to stop accidental shutdowns<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#Why_does_my_computer_shut_down_when_I_press_a_key\" >Why does my computer shut down when I press a key?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#Does_disabling_the_power_key_also_disable_the_PC_power_button\" >Does disabling the power key also disable the PC power button?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/disable-power-key-button-keyboard\/#Can_I_disable_just_the_sleep_key\" >Can I disable just the sleep key?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_power_key_on_a_keyboard\"><\/span>What is the power key on a keyboard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many keyboards from the 2000s, and some today, include ACPI power management keys: <strong>Power<\/strong>, <strong>Sleep<\/strong> and <strong>Wake<\/strong>. They&#8217;re usually above the arrow keys or near Print Screen, Pause and Scroll Lock. Pressing Power doesn&#8217;t put the computer to sleep (Microsoft explains the options in its <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Windows support<\/a> pages); it starts a full shutdown, just like pressing the button on the computer case.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_disable_the_power_key_in_Windows_11_and_10\"><\/span>How to disable the power key in Windows 11 and 10<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Press <strong>Windows + R<\/strong>, type <code>powercfg.cpl<\/code> and press Enter to open <strong>Power Options<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>In the left pane, click <strong>Choose what the power buttons do<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Next to <strong>When I press the power button<\/strong>, choose <strong>Do nothing<\/strong>. On laptops, set it for both <strong>On battery<\/strong> and <strong>Plugged in<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Optionally set <strong>When I press the sleep button<\/strong> to <strong>Do nothing<\/strong> as well.<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Save changes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>On recent Windows 11 versions you can also find these options in <strong>Settings \u2192 System \u2192 Power &amp; battery \u2192 Lid &amp; power button controls<\/strong> (or Power button controls on desktops).<\/p>\n<p>Note: this setting also changes what the power button on your PC case does. A quick press will no longer shut down Windows; to turn the PC off, use <strong>Start \u2192 Power \u2192 Shut down<\/strong>. Holding the case button for several seconds still forces a hard power-off.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Disable_the_power_key_on_a_Mac\"><\/span>Disable the power key on a Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mac keyboards with a power or Touch ID key don&#8217;t shut down on a single press: a short press locks the screen or sleeps the Mac, and you need to hold it to see shutdown options. If you&#8217;re worried about accidental presses, be careful near the top-right key, as there&#8217;s no setting to disable it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Our_story_the_keyboard_that_kept_shutting_down\"><\/span>Our story: the keyboard that kept shutting down<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We were blogging from a relative&#8217;s old computer with a 2004 Tech-Com keyboard, taking lots of Print Screen screenshots for articles. Strangely, the computer kept shutting down in the middle of unsaved posts. It wasn&#8217;t a Windows update or a virus. A close look at the keyboard showed a <strong>Power key<\/strong> right above Print Screen, between the Sleep and Wake keys.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26550\" title=\"remove-key\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/remove-key.jpg\" alt=\"Removing the keyboard power key\" width=\"396\" height=\"178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/remove-key.jpg 396w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/remove-key-300x134.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/remove-key-50x22.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In desperation we popped the key off with a pen, which worked, but we put it back before the owner noticed. Don&#8217;t try this: you can easily break the key clip. Changing the power button setting in Windows is the proper fix.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26551\" title=\"no-key\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/no-key.jpg\" alt=\"Keyboard with power key removed\" width=\"400\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/no-key.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/no-key-300x112.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/no-key-50x18.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_ways_to_stop_accidental_shutdowns\"><\/span>Other ways to stop accidental shutdowns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Keyboard software:<\/strong> some brands&#8217; keyboard utilities can disable special keys.<\/li>\n<li><strong>BIOS\/UEFI settings:<\/strong> some PCs let you turn off &#8220;power on by keyboard&#8221; or change power button behaviour in the firmware settings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Save often:<\/strong> turn on AutoSave in Office and use editors that save drafts automatically, like WordPress.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Replace the keyboard:<\/strong> most modern keyboards no longer have a power key, or put it where you won&#8217;t hit it by accident. Even an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/apple-mac-keyboard-on-windows-pc\/\">Apple keyboard on Windows<\/a> avoids the problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_computer_shut_down_when_I_press_a_key\"><\/span>Why does my computer shut down when I press a key?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your keyboard probably has a Power key that you&#8217;re pressing by accident. Set the power button action to &#8220;Do nothing&#8221; in Power Options.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_disabling_the_power_key_also_disable_the_PC_power_button\"><\/span>Does disabling the power key also disable the PC power button?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, a short press of the case button will also do nothing. Use the Start menu to shut down, or hold the case button to force power off.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_disable_just_the_sleep_key\"><\/span>Can I disable just the sleep key?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. In Power Options, set &#8220;When I press the sleep button&#8221; to &#8220;Do nothing&#8221; and leave the power button setting as it is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does your computer suddenly shut down when you reach for Print Screen or Delete? Some keyboards have a Power key,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":26549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-26538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26538"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65443,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26538\/revisions\/65443"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}