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How do I get NUMLOCK to default to ON in Windows 2000?

I have an HP PC running Win2000 Pro. The num lock state is off when it boots up. I’d like to change it so that num lock is on by default. Where would I change the setting?

This qualifies as one of Windows more obscure settings. It’s not in Control Panel, and it’s not in the registry … it’s in the Environment.

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Here’s how and where:

  • Right click on My Computer
  • Select Properties
  • Click on the Advanced tab.
  • Click on Environment Variables
  • In the System Variables section, click on New…
  • The variable to be added is called NUMLOCK, and the value is ON

“OK” your way back out of those dialogs, and the next time you reboot your keyboard should default to having Num Lock ON.

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5 comments on “How do I get NUMLOCK to default to ON in Windows 2000?”

  1. 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.

    Reply
  2. Hi Leo,
    I tried the following and didn’t work…..

    Right click on My Computer
    Select Properties
    Click on the Advanced tab.
    Click on Environment Variables
    In the System Variables section, click on New…
    The variable to be added is called NUMLOCK, and the value is ON

    I used the suggetion posted by Steve on August 29 2005 and it worked.
    I also changed HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators from 0 to 2 inorderd to keep the NumLock stay ON.

    Thanks for the Help
    Ancelin

    Reply

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