How to Keep Num Lock On Permanently in Windows 10 & 11

Few things are more aggravating than sitting down at your Windows PC, ready to crunch numbers or enter data, only to find your numeric keypad stubbornly unresponsive because Num Lock is off—again. While Microsoft’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 are both mature, user-friendly operating systems, this one quirk has persisted for years, baffling and irritating countless users, from accountants and spreadsheet warriors to everyday home users. As it turns out, keeping Num Lock on permanently in Windows isn’t necessarily as simple as pressing a key, but with the right know-how, you can put this perennial nuisance to rest once and for all.

Why Num Lock Keeps Turning Off​

Let’s start by understanding the root of the problem. In the original IBM PC era, the numeric keypad was designed to serve a dual function—navigating with the arrows/home/end/insert keys, or entering numbers, depending on whether Num Lock was active. Because many users at the time preferred the navigation functions by default, the legacy BIOS and early Windows installs often set Num Lock to “off” at boot. Over the years, default behavior has evolved, but it’s far from consistent across manufacturers, firmware revisions, and even between Windows releases.
Windows 11 is technically able to remember your Num Lock state: if you finish your session with Num Lock enabled, the system should retain that preference after a reboot. However, countless users report that on their hardware, the Num Lock state still resets to off with each startup. The underlying culprit is typically a combination of registry defaults and BIOS/UEFI firmware configurations taking precedence—especially on older PCs or after OS upgrades. This default can significantly hinder those who do heavy numerical entry or rely on the keypad for password input.
Users most impacted typically fall into three groups:

• Data entry professionals and accountants who constantly input figures.
• Users relying on the keypad for password entry, especially with complex or PIN-based logins.
• Anyone using calculator applications or spreadsheets that benefit from one-touch number access.

So, what solutions exist, and how reliable are they? Let’s break them down.

Three Proven Ways to Permanently Keep Num Lock Enabled​

1. Using the Windows Registry: Fine-Tuning the OS​

Modifying the Windows Registry is widely regarded as the most reliable way to enforce Num Lock’s default state, provided you’re comfortable making system-level changes.

Step-by-Step Guide​

• Open the Registry Editor.
• Press Win + R to bring up the Run dialog.
• Type regedit and hit Enter.
• Navigate to the Key:
• HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard
• Adjust the Setting:
• Locate the value named InitialKeyboardIndicators.
• Double-click and change it to 2 (if currently set to 0 or another value).
• 0 means Num Lock off
• 2 means Num Lock on
• Restart your system.
• Changes take effect after reboot.

For advanced users, this process can be simplified with PowerShell:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Control Panel\Keyboard" -Name "InitialKeyboardIndicators" -Value "2"
What if it doesn’t work? Sometimes, changes at HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT aren’t enough, especially for multi-user setups. Try also modifying:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard
  (Adjust for user-specific scenarios)

Key Strength: Registry-based enforcement ensures the operating system itself loads with the desired Num Lock state, before login screen preferences or user profiles have a chance to override it.
Caution: Editing the registry can cause instability if you make unintended changes. It’s wise to backup your registry before modifying values—this is standard advice from Microsoft and trusted technical sources alike.

2. BIOS/UEFI Settings: Go Beneath the OS​

Sometimes, the OS is not the final say—your hardware firmware could be reverting the Num Lock state on startup.

How To Access and Modify:​

• Enter BIOS/UEFI at startup (commonly by pressing F2, F12, Delete, or Esc as your PC boots; consult your motherboard/computer manual for the exact key).
• Find an option in the Boot or Advanced menus labeled something like “Num Lock State at Boot” or “Keyboard Features.”
• Set it to “On” or “Enabled.”
• Save changes and restart.

The menu structure and nomenclature will vary by manufacturer, but support threads and documentation from Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS confirm that Num Lock state is commonly a configurable parameter for their consumer and business PCs.
Troubleshooting BIOS Issues:

• If changes fail to persist, check for a weak CMOS battery (especially on older desktops and laptops).
• Some unfortunate users report BIOS/UEFI setups that lack this control entirely; in those scenarios, rely on the registry or scripting methods.
• Rarely, a firmware update may overwrite or disable BIOS settings—make sure your BIOS is current, and reapply your preference after updates.

Strength: BIOS-level configuration guarantees that Num Lock is enabled before Windows agents or security prompts (like PIN entry at initial logon) take effect.

3. Automation with a Startup Script​

For those cases where neither BIOS nor registry changes “stick,” a clever scripting approach can save the day—particularly on managed or shared systems.

VBScript Solution​

• Open Notepad and paste this code:
  

  Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
  WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}"

• Save the file as EnableNumLock.vbs.
• Ensure the extension is .vbs (not .txt).
• Automate Execution:
• Place the script in your Startup folder (Win + R, then type shell:startup).
• Or, use Task Scheduler to run it at boot/login for tighter control.

Task Scheduler Setup:

• Open Task Scheduler and choose “Create Task.”
• Under “Triggers,” pick ‘At startup.’
• In “Actions,” select ‘Start a program’ and point to your .vbs script.
• Grant highest privileges for optimal compatibility.

Strengths and Risks:
This approach ensures Num Lock is toggled on every time you log in—regardless of conflicting OS or firmware settings. Scripting is bulletproof for complex environments, but detractors argue it’s “brute force” and can have awkward side effects if scripts misfire. Test thoroughly before deploying on a production or enterprise workstation.

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Troubleshooting: Why Won’t Num Lock Stay On?​

If you’ve tried the above fixes and Num Lock still won’t stick, these are the most probable causes:

• Incorrect Registry Path: Double-check you edited the correct location, especially if you have multiple user accounts.
• User Privileges: Registry edits require administrator rights.
• Stale or Overwritten Firmware: Some systems reset BIOS upon battery loss or after updates.
• Windows Update Reset: Significant Windows upgrades (feature updates or builds) can revert registry tweaks—check your setting after each major OS update.
• LED Confusion: Some modern keyboards (especially Bluetooth and compact ones) might not visually indicate Num Lock status, even if functionality is correct. Always test by actually typing.

Best Practices and Tips​

• Know your keyboard: On many laptops, especially those lacking dedicated numeric keypads, Num Lock may coexist with overlay keys requiring you to use Fn plus another button. Consult your hardware manual.
• Check after major updates: Registry changes can, and often do, revert during significant Windows Feature Updates.
• Don’t force it if not needed: Gamers or those preferring navigation keys over numbers may want Num Lock off.
• Multi-user environment: For environments with many user accounts, ensure settings are correct for both .DEFAULT and each user's profile.
• External and Wireless Keyboards: The discussed fixes work for USB, Bluetooth, and even legacy PS/2 keyboards—hardware interface has no bearing on Num Lock persistence.

Alternative Scenarios: Laptops, Gaming Rigs, and More​

Laptops Without Numeric Keypads​

Many modern ultrabooks and compact laptops have no dedicated numeric keypad. In these cases:

• Look for overlay activation via Fn + Num Lock or similar.
• Some OEMs (like Lenovo or HP) ship software utilities for keyboard customization—explore the manufacturer’s support site for tools that can remember your preference.

Gaming Setups​

Gaming often favors Num Lock off, so arrow keys and secondary functions can remain quickly accessible. Gamers should consider:

• Keyboard management software (Razer Synapse, Corsair iCUE, etc.) for per-profile customizability.
• Mechanical keyboards with programmable or macro keys to override Num Lock status as needed for different use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Will keeping Num Lock on affect my system’s performance or battery?
No—Num Lock’s state is a keyboard toggle, not a resource-intensive process. It won’t impact speed or battery life.
Are the changes safe and reversible?
Yes. Any registry or BIOS change can be undone (set value back to 0, reset BIOS, or delete scripts). Always backup your registry before editing.
Does this work with wireless and USB keyboards?
Yes. The lock state is maintained internally by Windows and is agnostic to the physical connector.
What if my keyboard doesn’t have a Num Lock key?
Some small form-factor and compact keyboards lack Num Lock—that’s by design, and none of these fixes can help. For numeric data entry, you’ll need a different keyboard.
Is it dangerous to edit the Windows registry?
It’s only risky if you make careless or unexplained edits. Always be precise, change only the keys described, and export a backup before any modification. The official Microsoft support documentation and top Windows administration guides both endorse careful registry edits for power users.

Critical Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Security​

Strengths​

• Multiple Solutions: Between registry, BIOS, and scripts, almost every Windows machine can be coaxed into remembering Num Lock state.
• Universal Application: No hardware or connection restrictions (USB, Bluetooth, PS/2 all supported).
• No Performance Downsides: All fixes are lightweight and non-intrusive.

Weaknesses​

• Inconsistency: Not all computers (especially new laptops) expose Num Lock options in BIOS, and not all registry keys behave identically in rare corporate/enterprise image scenarios.
• User Error Risks: Registry and script-based changes, if misapplied, can trigger malformed boot behavior or in rare cases prevent expected keyboard functioning elsewhere.
• Resets on Major Updates: Windows Update’s tendency to overwrite registry changes means maintenance is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix.

Security Considerations​

No evidence suggests changing Num Lock state has any security implications in itself. However, as Num Lock is used by some for PIN or password entry, ensuring that it’s reliably on or off as needed is crucial: accidental toggles can cause failed logons or user confusion. Scripts or registry entries should only be set by trusted administrators, as malicious actors could conceivably alter them for prank or nuisance attacks.

Conclusion: Putting Num Lock Woes to Rest​

After decades as a minor—but persistent—grievance among Windows aficionados, the mystery of the Num Lock reset is finally a solvable puzzle. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both allow users to control Num Lock's startup state with a little attention to detail and willingness to make precise system tweaks. For most users, the registry editor offers permanent, set-and-forget reliability; those managing laptops or custom desktops should also check their BIOS for a truly foundational fix. Meanwhile, script automation remains a robust fallback for troubleshooting tough cases or safeguarding shared enterprise environments.
Above all, these solutions give power users greater control, shaving precious seconds from daily routines and eliminating one more needless interruption. As with many aspects of modern Windows, the best outcome arrives when hardware, software, and a bit of user savvy all work together.
With Num Lock set just the way you want it, your numeric keypad is always ready—whether you’re running a multi-million line spreadsheet, logging into a secure account, or simply enjoying the full utility of your desktop keyboard. No more jabs at a stubborn light, no more wasted keystrokes—just effortless, predictable performance, every time you log in.

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Source: H2S Media How to Keep Num Lock On Permanently in Windows 11 or 10