The display hotkey is a convenient way to change the display settings of your computer. However, if you accidentally change the display settings, or if the display hotkey stops working, you may need to reset it. Resetting the display hotkey is a simple process that can be done in a few minutes. In this guide, we will show you how to reset the display hotkey in Windows 10.
Before you begin, it is important to note that the steps for resetting the display hotkey may vary depending on the make and model of your computer. However, the general steps are the same. If you have any trouble following the steps in this guide, please consult the user manual for your computer.
To reset the display hotkey, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “control panel” into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- Click on the “Display” icon.
- Click on the “Settings” tab.
- Click on the “Advanced” button.
- Click on the “Hotkeys” tab.
- Click on the “Reset” button.
- Click on the “OK” button.
- Close the Control Panel.
Understanding the Display Hotkey
The display hotkey is a keyboard shortcut that allows you to quickly and easily access display settings without having to navigate through the Control Panel. It is typically assigned to the F1 key, but can be changed to any other key on your keyboard. The hotkey can be used to adjust the screen resolution, brightness, contrast, and other display settings.
There are several ways to use the display hotkey. One way is to simply press the hotkey to open the Display Settings menu. From here, you can use the arrow keys to navigate through the different settings and make changes as needed. Another way to use the hotkey is to press and hold the hotkey while pressing another key. This will allow you to quickly change a specific setting without having to open the Display Settings menu. For example, pressing and holding the hotkey while pressing the up or down arrow key will adjust the screen brightness.
The display hotkey is a convenient way to quickly access and change display settings. It is especially useful for making quick adjustments to the screen resolution, brightness, or contrast. Here is a table summarizing the different ways to use the display hotkey:
| Key Combination | Action |
|---|---|
| F1 | Open the Display Settings menu |
| F1 + Up Arrow | Increase the screen brightness |
| F1 + Down Arrow | Decrease the screen brightness |
| F1 + Left Arrow | Decrease the screen resolution |
| F1 + Right Arrow | Increase the screen resolution |
Identifying Respective Hotkeys
Each display manufacturer typically assigns specific hotkeys to adjust display settings. To identify the hotkeys for your particular display, consult the user manual or follow the steps below:
- On Windows: Right-click anywhere on the desktop and select “Display Settings.” Scroll down and click on “Advanced Display.” Under the “Display Adapter Properties” section, click on “Properties.” The “Properties” window will list the display’s properties, including the assigned hotkeys.
- On macOS: Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.” Click on “Displays.” In the “Display” window, select the “Display” tab. The “Display” tab will list the display’s properties, including the assigned hotkeys.
Display Hotkey Table
The following table lists the common display hotkeys for various manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Hotkeys |
|---|---|
| Acer | Fn + F6 / Fn + F7 |
| Asus | Fn + F9 |
| Dell | Fn + F8 |
| HP | Fn + F2 / Fn + F4 |
| Lenovo | Fn + F7 |
| Samsung | Fn + F5 |
Resetting Hotkey Combinations
Hotkey combinations allow you to quickly and efficiently perform various tasks on your computer. However, these hotkeys can sometimes become unresponsive or conflict with other applications. Resetting hotkey combinations can resolve these issues and restore functionality.
To reset hotkey combinations, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app.
- Navigate to the “Keyboard” section.
- Scroll down and click on the “Reset to default” button.
This will restore all hotkey combinations to their default settings.
Resetting Hotkeys for Specific Applications
If you only want to reset hotkeys for a specific application, you can do so by following these steps:
- Open the application for which you want to reset hotkeys.
- Go to the application’s settings or preferences menu.
- Locate the section where hotkeys are configured.
- Click on the “Reset to default” or “Restore defaults” button.
This will reset the hotkeys for that specific application.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut
You can also reset hotkey combinations using a keyboard shortcut.
- Press the “Windows” key + “R”.
- Type “regedit” and press “Enter”.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
- Look for the “HotkeysSpecified” value on the right-hand side.
- Right-click on the “HotkeysSpecified” value and select “Delete”.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
This will delete the registry key that stores hotkey combinations. The next time you log in to your computer, the hotkey combinations will be restored to their default settings.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Settings app | Resets all hotkey combinations to default settings. |
| Application settings | Resets hotkeys for a specific application. |
| Keyboard shortcut | Deletes the registry key that stores hotkey combinations, resetting them to default settings. |
Utilizing System Settings:
Navigate to the system settings or control panel on your operating system.
Windows:
1. Click on the Start menu and select “Settings.”
2. Select “System” and then “Display.”
3. In the “Display” settings, scroll down to the “Display Scaling and Layout” section.
4. Under “Display Resolution,” you can find the “Hotkeys” option. Click on it to open the “Hotkeys” settings.
5. Here, you can set up custom hotkeys for various display settings, such as rotating the display, changing the resolution, or entering full-screen mode.
macOS:
1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
2. Select “Displays.”
3. In the “Displays” preferences, navigate to the “Display” tab.
4. Under the “Display” tab, you can find the “Hot Keys” option.
5. Here, you can set up custom hotkeys for various display settings, such as mirroring displays, turning off the display, or setting the display sleep preferences.
Linux:
The process for resetting display hotkeys in Linux varies depending on the distribution and desktop environment being used. Generally, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the system settings or control center.
2. Navigate to the Display or Keyboard settings.
3. Look for options related to hotkeys or keyboard shortcuts.
4. You may find a specific section or option for resetting display hotkeys or modifying custom hotkeys.
5. Follow the instructions provided in the settings or refer to documentation specific to your Linux distribution and desktop environment.
| Operating System | Steps |
|---|---|
| Windows | Settings > System > Display > Display Scaling and Layout > Hotkeys |
| macOS | System Preferences > Displays > Display > Hot Keys |
| Linux | Varies depending on distribution and desktop environment |
Accessing Control Panel
To access Control Panel, follow these steps according to your operating system:
Windows 10 and 11
- Click on the Start menu.
- Select Settings (gear icon).
- Click on System.
- Select Display.
Windows 7 and 8
- Click on the Start menu.
- Search for “Control Panel” in the search bar.
- Click on Control Panel.
- Select Appearance and Personalization.
- Click on Display.
Windows XP and Vista
- Click on the Start menu.
- Select Control Panel.
- Double-click on Display.
Employing Keyboard Settings
The Keyboard Settings menu offers a comprehensive range of customization options for your system’s keyboard behavior. To access these settings, navigate to:
1. **Start** > **Settings** > **Devices** > **Typing**
6. Hotkey Options
The Hotkey Options section within the Keyboard Settings menu provides you with the ability to define custom hotkeys for various system commands and applications. To configure hotkeys, follow these steps:
- Under **Hotkey Options**, click on the **+** button to create a new hotkey.
- In the **Name** field, enter a descriptive name for your hotkey.
- In the **Shortcut** field, press the key combination you want to assign to the hotkey.
- In the **Command** field, specify the system command or application you want to trigger using the hotkey.
- Click **OK** to save your changes.
| Hotkey | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + R | Restart Explorer | Restarts the Windows Explorer process |
| Win + X | Power User Menu | Opens the Power User Menu, granting access to advanced system settings |
| Alt + F4 | Close Active Window | Closes the currently active window |
Utilizing Command Prompt
To reset your display hotkey using Command Prompt, follow these detailed steps:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges
Type “cmd” in the Windows search bar. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
Step 2: Run the Hotkey Reset Command
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
| Command |
|---|
| explorer.exe shell:::{ED83C018-8B50-42C3-824E-9D0993C40518} |
Step 3: Confirm the Reset
The Display Settings window will open. If the hotkey has been successfully reset, the “Reset” button will be grayed out.
Step 4: Navigate to the Hotkey Settings Page
Click on “Advanced Display” in the left-hand menu. Select the display you want to modify.
Step 5: Assign a New Hotkey
In the “Display” tab, find the “Hotkey for Display” section. Click on the drop-down menu and select the desired hotkey.
Step 6: Apply the Changes
Click on “Apply” to save the new hotkey assignment. The custom hotkey should now be set.
Step 7: Troubleshoot Potential Issues
- Incorrect command: Ensure that you have entered the command exactly as shown.
- Elevated privileges: Run Command Prompt with administrator privileges to execute the command.
- Multiple displays: If you have multiple displays connected, select the specific display you want to reset.
- Permission denied: Check if you have sufficient permissions to modify system settings.
- Third-party software: Some third-party software may interfere with the hotkey settings. Try disabling or uninstalling them.
- System restoration: If all else fails, you can consider performing a system restore to revert to a previous state.
Implementing Registry Editor
To implement the Registry Editor for resetting the display hotkey, follow these detailed steps:
1. Launch Registry Editor
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit in the search bar and click OK.
2. Navigate to the Correct Registry Key
In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. Create a New DWORD Value
Right-click on the Advanced key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value DisabledHotkeys.
4. Modify the Value Data
Double-click on the DisabledHotkeys value. In the Value data field, enter the following bitmask values:
| Hotkey | Bitmask Value |
|---|---|
| Windows key | 1 |
| Alt key | 2 |
| Left Shift key | 4 |
| Right Shift key | 8 |
To disable multiple hotkeys, add their corresponding bitmask values together. For example, to disable both the Windows key and the Alt key, enter the value 3 (1 + 2).
5. Reset the Display Hotkey
Close the Registry Editor. The display hotkey should now be reset to its default settings.
6. Verify the Hotkey Settings
To verify the display hotkey settings, open the Settings app. Navigate to Keyboard > Advanced keyboard settings. Under Display, you should see the following:
- Toggle keys: Off
- Sticky keys: Off
- Filter keys: Off
- Shortcuts for accessibility: Disabled
- Use the Print Screen button to open Snip & Sketch: Off
7. Reboot the Computer
For the changes to take effect, it is recommended to reboot your computer.
8. Troubleshooting Tips
- If the display hotkey is still not working, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Ensure that the DisabledHotkeys value is set to the correct bitmask value.
- Close all open programs and restart the computer.
- Run the System File Checker (SFC) to repair any corrupted system files.
- Contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
1. Reset Failed or Unsuccessful
If your display settings reset failed or were unsuccessful, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer.
- Close any programs or applications that may be using your display settings.
- Restart your computer and try resetting the display settings again.
- Check if your graphics card drivers are up to date. If not, update them and try resetting the display settings again.
- Try using a different display cable to connect your monitor to your computer.
2. Display Settings Revert Back
If your display settings revert back to their previous state after resetting, try the following:
- Disable any third-party software or applications that may be interfering with your display settings.
- Check if your monitor has any built-in settings that may be overriding your system’s display settings.
- Try creating a new user profile on your computer and see if the display settings remain consistent.
3. Display Issues After Reset
If you encounter any display issues after resetting your display settings, try the following:
- Ensure that your monitor is properly connected to your computer.
- Try adjusting the display settings on your monitor itself.
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode and see if the display issues persist.
4. Advanced Troubleshooting
If you are still experiencing problems with your display settings after trying the above troubleshooting steps, you may need to perform more advanced troubleshooting. This may include:
- Using a system restore point to revert your system to a previous state.
- Reinstalling your graphics card drivers.
- Resetting your BIOS settings to default.
9. Troubleshooting for Specific Display Issues
In addition to the general troubleshooting steps above, you may encounter specific display issues that require additional troubleshooting. Some common display issues and their troubleshooting steps are listed in the following table:
| Display Issue | Troubleshooting Steps |
|---|---|
| Blank screen | Check the power cable and connections. Ensure the monitor is receiving power. |
| Flickering screen | Update your graphics card drivers. Check for any loose cables or connections. |
| Distorted or blurry image | Adjust the resolution and refresh rate settings. Check the monitor’s physical connection to your computer. |
| No signal | Ensure the correct input source is selected on the monitor. Check the cable connections between the monitor and your computer. |
| Overscan/underscan | Adjust the overscan/underscan settings on your monitor or graphics card. |
Ensuring Compatibility
Before proceeding with the reset procedure, it is crucial to verify compatibility between your display and the available shortcuts. Different manufacturers may employ distinct hotkey combinations, making it essential to refer to your display’s user manual or consult the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.
Additionally, ensure that the hotkeys are not already assigned to other functions on your computer. If they are, you will need to reassign them or disable the conflicting applications before attempting to reset the display hotkeys.
To check for conflicting hotkeys, follow these steps:
| Operating System | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Windows |
|
| macOS |
|
How to Reset Display Hotkey
If you’ve accidentally changed your display hotkey or it’s not working properly, you can reset it to the default settings. Here are the steps on how to do it:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
- In the right-hand pane, double-click on the “HotKey” value.
- Change the value data to “0” and click OK.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Your display hotkey should now be reset to the default settings.
People Also Ask
How do I find my display hotkey?
To find your display hotkey, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “msconfig” into the Run dialog box and press Enter. Click on the “Boot” tab and then click on the “Advanced options” button. Under the “Boot Options” section, you will see the “Display Hotkey” setting.
How do I change my display hotkey?
To change your display hotkey, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “regedit” into the Run dialog box and press Enter. Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
In the right-hand pane, double-click on the “HotKey” value. Change the value data to the desired hotkey and click OK. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
What is the default display hotkey?
The default display hotkey is “Windows key + P”.
