How to enable the NUM LOCK key for the logon screen (154529)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q154529
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry


NOTE: This article does not apply to Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server. It also does not apply to Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Advanced Server running Terminal Services.

SUMMARY

The status of the NUM LOCK key is specific for each user, and it is disabled by default. If you want the NUM LOCK key enabled for use before a user presses CTRL+ALT+DEL to log on, you must use Registry Editor to change the default behavior.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To enable NUM LOCK before a user logs on, use the steps below.

  1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
  2. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Keyboard.
  3. Change the value for InitialKeyboardIndicators from 0 to 2.
Additional references:

217884 NUM LOCK Setting Reset After Logging Off Terminal Server


262625 How to Set the NUM LOCK State at Logon Using a Logon Script ID

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/20/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbhowto KB154529
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