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When I have multiple keyboard layouts enabled, Windows 10 seems to switch between them randomly (similar to what's described here). I suspect I am accidentally pressing Win+Space, so I'd like to disable this shortcut.

However, looking at the "language options" page, I don't see any settings related to this keyboard shortcut, or a way to disable it. How can I disable this shortcut?

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  • As long as you don't need multiple keyboard layouts you can "disable" the shortcut by removing the unneeded keyboard layouts - This is one of the first things I do on a fresh install. – Klinghust Jun 25 '17 at 16:31
  • @Klinghust The default is to only have one layout, so I wouldn't have discovered this shortcut if I hadn't intentionally enabled a second layout! – Kyle Strand Jun 25 '17 at 21:05
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    The default in Norway is two keyboard layouts - Norwegian and US English that's why I suggested removing one. -Kling – Klinghust Jun 27 '17 at 15:25
  • @Klinghust Fair enough! – Kyle Strand Jun 27 '17 at 16:23
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Disable Win+Space keyboad-layout swap

AFAIK this is the only way to disable Win+Space keyboad-layout swap without disabling all other Win+XYZ shortcuts:

This is how to do it:

  1. Download AHK (AutoHotkey)
  2. Install AHK

  3. Right click any folder and choose New > AutoHotkey Script Create new script

  4. Right click the script and choose Edit Script Edit Script

  5. Replace whatever is there with this (and save):

    #space::

  6. Right click the script and choose Compile Script Compile script

  7. Run script by double clicking the newly created .exe and do a test. Rename it whatever you want and store it for the next time you want to disable the Win+Space shortcut.

Additional step to make it persistent:

Copy the .exe to the startup folder. Below I've listed the path for the folders:

Current user:

C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

All users:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

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  • I haven't been able to test this because I don't have a Win 10 computer available at the moment, and Win 7 doesn't appear to use Win+Space to switch layouts, but I'm assuming it works because I've previously had success with AutoHotKey and similar. Though I do know that the Win+L shortcut is special and can't be overridden or modified. – Kyle Strand Jun 28 '17 at 17:43
  • Tested OK on Windows 10 using VirtualBox. Should be the same on a regular install. – Klinghust Jun 29 '17 at 21:27
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    I was assuming you'd tested it, but I like to test answers myself before marking them "accepted"! I just commented because I made an exception in this case. – Kyle Strand Jun 29 '17 at 21:30
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    I can confirm it works perfectly on a regular install. Thanks! – John Y Feb 16 '18 at 12:54
  • Isn't it great how Windows makes options like 'switch between input languages' configurable, but this one you must have and want at all times? Thanks for the answer, helped a lot! – Mave Jan 22 at 9:24
9

I found this while experiencing the same problem as the OP, on Windows 10. My findings were that Calsal's down-voted answer was what actually worked for me.

My problem had nothing to do with the Win+Space hotkey. Instead, it was switching "randomly" to "ENG INTL" because the hotkeys for "Between Input Languages" were configured by default to switch the keyboard layout if you pressed "Ctrl + Shift". As a programmer who uses lots of hotkeys, I end up hitting "Ctrl" and "Shift" at the same time a lot.

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    You are correct that those settings can work for your case, but this is not what the original question is about. – JBert Mar 1 '18 at 13:19
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    Still this answer may be helpful, because we not always ask what we should. – Jarekczek Mar 18 '18 at 15:45
7

This is an addition to the answer from Calsal, as I had the same problem that he described, but in Windows 10.

For Windows 10:

  • go to Edit language and keyboard options -> Advanced Keyboard Settings -> Language Bar Options -> Advanced Key Settings
  • select Change Key Sequence for Between Input Languages
  • change "Switch Keyboard Layout" to "Not Assigned"

enjoy the good life.  The Windows+Space option still works; if you want that, see the upvoted answer.

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  • Thanks a lot! I took some time to discover that "ctrl + shift" was a shortcut for that, it was driving me crazy! – Bruno Serrano Aug 21 '19 at 20:00
1

Press Win+R and execute

"C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe" Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL input.dll,,{C07337D3-DB2C-4D0B-9A93-B722A6C106E2}{HOTKEYS}
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    Explain more what this does and why it works, how do you know, and so forth. – Pimp Juice IT Aug 16 '19 at 22:58
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    This is literally the command that is executed to bring up the last dialog when you follow @koen's answer. From there you can unassign the Ctrl+Shift keybindings. – pix Dec 11 '19 at 10:57

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