Turn On or Off Sticky Keys in Windows 10

Windows 10 inherits a useful feature from previous versions of the OS. It is called Sticky Keys. When enabled, it will allow you to press and release a modifier key (Shift, Ctrl, or Alt) and then press the next key in the shortcut sequence instead of holding it.

Sticky keys is an accessibility feature of some graphical user interfaces to assist users who have physical disabilities. The Sticky Keys feature makes a modifier key remain active until another key is pressed. This lets you press a single key at a time to access a keyboard shortcut. For example, you need to press Ctrl + Shift + A. With Sticky Keys enabled, you can press and release the Ctrl key, then the Shift key, and finally the A key. You don’t have to press all three keys down at once.

Pressing a modifier key once locks a modifier key down until the user presses a non-modifier key. Pressing a modifier key twice locks the key until the user presses the same modifier key a third time.

There are a number of methods you can use to enable or disable Sticky Keys in Windows 10. Let's review them.

To Turn On or Off Sticky Keys in Windows 10,

1. Press the Shift key five times to turn Sticky Keys on. Confirm the operation.
2. A sound will play indicating that the feature is now enabled.
3. When Sticky Keys is turned on, press the Shift key five times to disable the feature.
4. A low pitch sound will play when it is disabled.

Turn On or Off Sticky Keys With Settings

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Ease of Access -> Keyboard.
3. On the right, enable the option Press one key at a time for keyboard shortcuts to turn on Sticky Keys.
4. You can customize the following options:
   • Allow the shortcut key to start Sticky Keys
   • Show the Sticky Keys icon on the taskbar
   • Lock the modifier key when pressed twice in a row
   • Turn off Sticky Keys when two keys are pressed at the same time
   • Play a sound when a modifier key is pressed and released
5. Finally, to disable Sticky Keys, turn off the option Press one key at a time for keyboard shortcuts.

Tip: If you accidentally or intentionally hit the Shift key 5 time during a game, this may ruin your gaming experience. You can avoid this issue by disabling the option Allow the shortcut key to start Sticky Keys in Settings.

You are done.

Turn On or Off Sticky Keys in Control Panel

1. Open the classic Control Panel app.
2. Navigate to Control Panel\Ease of Access\Ease of Access Center\Make the keyboard easier to use.
3. Turn on Sticky Keys under Make it easier to type.
4. To customize the options for Sticky Keys, click on Set up Sticky Keys link under Turn on Sticky Keys. This will open the following page.
5. Change the required options, the click on Apply and OK.

That's it.

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