How to Lock Your Keyboard on Windows or Mac: 4 Easy Methods

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Lock your keyboard with apps or using built-in methods

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: October 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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AutoHotkey Script

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KeyboardCleanTool

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Device Manager

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Disable Your Keyboard

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Do you have a cat climbing all over your desk, a curious child putting their hands on your keyboard, or a nosy coworker snooping on your computer? If so, you may be wondering if it's possible to lock your keyboard. The answer is yes—there are a few ways to lock just your keyboard without locking your entire computer. In this article, we'll go over each step-by-step method to lock your keyboard on a Windows or Mac computer.

Ways to Lock Your Keyboard

On a PC, install AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker by Sophice on GitHub, then use Ctrl+Alt+k to lock the keyboard. On a Mac, install KeyboardCleanTool and click the lock button in the app to lock your keyboard.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker (PC)

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1
Download a keyboard locker tool. There are a handful of these tools online, and they're all essentially AutoHotkey scripts packaged so a typical PC user can run them. We'll be going over how to use the AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker by Sophice on GitHub, but feel free to use any keyboard locker based on AHK scripts.
- Download the latest release of AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker on GitHub. We recommend downloading the executable file, as downloading the source code involves installing another program. As such, the steps in this section will be for the executable.
  - There are alternative AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker scripts available that are programmed to lock the keyboard with a different shortcut (i.e. Ctrl + Alt + L). The method to install these scripts should be the same as the instructions below, but always check your source for specific instructions.
- Always be careful when downloading software from the internet, and only download programs you trust.
The executable file for AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker is a portable application, so running the .exe doesn't install the app but runs it. As such, you can store the file anywhere you want (such as your desktop, documents folder, or another safe location).

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Once you do, a pop-up will appear in the lower-right corner of your screen with the hotkeys to press to lock your keyboard.
Your keyboard will immediately be disabled. You can also right-click the AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker icon in the system tray and select "Lock keyboard."
You can also right-click the AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker icon in the system tray and select "Unlock keyboard."
Select Exit in the contextual menu to close out of AutoHotkey Keyboard Locker. Now, if you type Ctrl + Alt + k, your keyboard won't lock.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

KeyboardCleanTool Software (Mac)

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1
Download a keyboard locker tool. Thankfully, there are some keyboard-locking tools for Mac and Windows. We'll be going over how to use KeyboardCleanTool by folivora.AI.
- Download the latest release of KeyboardCleanTool on the folivora.AI website.
- Always be careful when downloading software from the internet, and only download programs you trust.
If your Mac gives you a warning when you try to open the app, click the Open button to bypass it. However, only do this for apps downloaded from the internet that you trust.
This button is at the top of the KeyboardCleanTool window, and it will immediately disable your keyboard and TouchBar (if your MacBook has one).
If desired, you can also check the box next to "Start cleaning mode immediately after starting this app" if you want KeyboardCleanTool to activate as soon as you open the app.
Your keyboard will only lock if the app is open and you click the button in the app, but it's good practice to close the application when you're done with it anyway.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Disabling via Device Manager (PC)

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The easiest way to do this is to right-click the Windows button in the lower-left corner of your screen and select Device Manager. You can also open it by searching "Device Manager" in the taskbar search bar and clicking on Device Manager.^{[1]
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Expand the "Keyboards" section. All of the keyboards connected to your PC will be listed. If there are multiple keyboards, try unplugging or disconnecting your keyboard to see which keyboard entry goes away and then returns when you connect your keyboard again.
- If you're on a laptop and see multiple keyboards in your Device Manager, you may have to repeat the steps below for each keyboard in the Device Manager.
If you don't see Disable device, select Uninstall device instead.
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Enable the keyboard once you're ready to use it again. In the Device Manager, right-click your keyboard and select Enable device.
- If you had to uninstall your keyboard to disable it, restart your PC. When your computer restarts, it will automatically reinstall the keyboard driver so you can use it again.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Turn Off or Unplug Keyboard (PC or Mac)

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1
If your keyboard isn't built into your computer, unplug it or turn it off. This method won't apply to most laptops, though some models may have an on/off switch for the built-in keyboard. However, if you have a keyboard connected by USB, you can disable it by unplugging it, and if you have a keyboard connected by Bluetooth, you can disable it by turning it off.
- While this isn't necessarily "locking" the keyboard, it will disable it so it can't be used until you plug it back in or turn it back on.