Share via

Disable the "Windows + X" (Quick Link) shortcut

  • Article

Question

Monday, March 28, 2016 8:03 PM

I am currently working on a group policy to apply in an educational institution. We have a default user for students and are trying to lock it down to very basic settings. I've run into a problem with the Windows + X shortcuts.

In group policy we have enabled the setting "Disable Windows + X keyboard shortcuts" in User Configuration/Policies/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/File Explorer. All of the shortcuts are disabled with the exception of one: Windows + X. This is the shortcut that opens the "Quick Link" Menu (different from "Quick Access" in file explorer). It is also accessed by right clicking the start menu icon. 

We want to disable the menu from popping up with either the right click or windows + x, preferably through group policy. We have yet to find an Object in Group Policy to prevent either of these functions. Does anyone know of a GPO (Group Policy Object) that will remove this function or perhaps a way to disable it through registry settings?

All replies (2)

Wednesday, March 30, 2016 8:29 AM âś…Answered

Hi XKitch,

I just tested and the result is the same as yours.

In Windows 10 there is no group policy available to disable the Win + X keyboard shortcut keys, but we could customize it, if you would like to have it with no entries, then we could deploy with a scripts to delete the WinX folder under:

C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX

Or consider to remove all the shortcuts in there.

Besides, the following article is talking about how to customize the Windows Shortcut, see if it would help:

http://www.askvg.com/exclusive-customize-new-quick-access-menu-win-x-menu-in-windows-8-add-remove-rename-or-move-shortcuts-and-much-more/

Please note: Since this website is not hosted by Microsoft, the information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Regards

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected].

Wednesday, March 30, 2016 8:00 PM

The posted article worked perfectly. 

I went to the "WinX" folder for the desired user and deleted all contents of its group folders. The menu was completely disabled.

Thanks a ton!