If you are a Linux dude, using Windows only in a virtualbox environment (using Windows is like going to crowded events: even you do not like it but sometimes, you have to do it), and have all your window manager shortcut defined with the win key, you might be totally pissed by the windows shortcuts. Sure, shortcuts are convenient but when using two different operating systems, it can be confusing. One example is when you are using the WIN key to switch desktop in your window manager and then, virtualbox will grab the focus so that instead of switching desktop, it starts whatever application associated with the shortcut. Very frustrating. Because of that, instead of switching my environment to desktop 1 (which has basically my main terminal with several tabs), the windows instance running in virtualbox opens internet explorer on msn.com with a very shitty headline (the same kind of articles you can read on people.com).

So, today was the day, it was time to put this to an end. After some hours searching how to disable the WIN+ keys shortcuts, I found the magic solution that basically use voodoo spells windows registry edition.

In a nutshell:

  1. open your registry
  2. follow the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  3. create a new DWORD NoWinKeys and set its value to 1
  4. restart and voila!

Hopefully, if you are in the happy fews running windows in virtualbox and have most of your window manager shortcuts associated with the win+ key, this might save your time, your mental health and avoid reading junk articles on msn.com. You're welcome.