For users who frequently work with numbers, having the Num Lock key enabled by default on Windows 11 can greatly enhance productivity. However, some systems have Num Lock turned off upon startup, which can be inconvenient. Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure that Num Lock remains on permanently. This guide provides detailed methods to keep Num Lock enabled on your Windows 11 computer.

Tweak the Registry Editor

By modifying a setting in the Windows Registry, you can set Num Lock to stay on permanently without affecting system performance.

  1. Press the Windows key and type Registry Editor in the search bar. Click on the Registry Editor app in the search results.
  1. If a User Account Control window appears, click Yes to proceed.
  2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path by copying and pasting it into the address bar and pressing Enter:
Computer\HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard
  1. On the right side, double-click on the InitialKeyboardIndicators entry to edit it.
  1. If the InitialKeyboardIndicators entry doesn't exist, right-click on an empty area, select New, then choose String Value. Name it InitialKeyboardIndicators.
  1. Set the Value data to 2 and click OK to save the changes.
  1. Restart your computer to apply the new settings.

Disable Fast Startup

Turning off Fast Startup can help Windows remember the Num Lock state between restarts, although it may slightly increase boot times.

  1. Click the Start button and type Control Panel. Select Control Panel from the results.
  1. In the Control Panel, set the View by option to Large icons or Small icons, then click on Power Options.
  1. Click on Choose what the power buttons do from the left-hand menu.
  1. If the options are grayed out, click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  1. Uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended), then click Save changes.

Automate with a Startup Script

Creating a simple script that runs at login can ensure Num Lock is enabled every time you start your computer.

  1. Press the Windows key and type Notepad, then open the Notepad app.
  1. In Notepad, enter the following script:
set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}"
  1. Click on File and select Save As.
  1. Name the file (e.g., EnableNumLock.vbs), set Save as type to All Files, and click Save.
  1. Locate the saved script, right-click on it, and select Copy.
  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer. In the address bar, type:
shell:startup
  1. Press Enter to navigate to the Startup folder.
  2. Paste the script into the Startup folder by pressing Ctrl + V or right-clicking and selecting Paste.
  1. Restart your computer. The script will now run automatically at login, ensuring Num Lock is activated.
Note: To check if Num Lock is enabled, look for an indicator light on your keyboard or laptop. Many modern devices have a light on the Num Lock key or on the keyboard panel that illuminates when Num Lock is active.

By implementing these methods, you can keep Num Lock enabled on your Windows 11 PC, streamlining your numerical data entry tasks.