How to disable Windows-S shortcut in Windows 8.1

As an IT administrator, you may be looking for ways to disable Windows S shortcut in Windows 8.1. Windows S is a shortcut that allows users to quickly access the Windows Store, search the web, and launch Metro-style apps. While this shortcut may be convenient for some users, it can be a security concern for IT administrators who want to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious websites or downloading unauthorized applications.

Fortunately, there is a way to disable the Windows S shortcut in Windows 8.1. This can be done through the Local Group Policy Editor. To access the Local Group Policy Editor, open the Start Menu and type “gpedit.msc” in the search box. Then, click the “Edit Group Policy” option that appears.

Once you’re in the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following location in the left-hand pane:

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Search

In the right-hand pane, locate the “Turn off Windows+S hotkey” setting. Double-click it and then select Enabled. Click OK to save the changes.

Now the Windows S shortcut will be disabled. Users will no longer be able to use it to access the Windows Store, search the web, or launch Metro-style apps.

It’s important to note that disabling the Windows S shortcut will only affect the current user. In order to disable the Windows S shortcut for all users on the computer, you’ll need to apply the setting to a Group Policy Object. This can be done by right-clicking the Group Policy Object in the left-hand pane and selecting “Edit”. Then, navigate to the same location as before and configure the “Turn off Windows+S hotkey” setting.

By following the steps outlined above, IT administrators can easily disable the Windows S shortcut in Windows 8.1. This will help to improve security and prevent users from accessing potentially malicious websites or downloading unauthorized applications.