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Windows 7

Why is My Computer Beeping When I Press Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock?

SUMMARY: Stop the computer from beeping whenever the Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock Key is pressed.

Is Windows 7 beeping whenever you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock key? If so, you may have accidentally turned on a feature called Toggle Keys, an Accessibility option that plays a tone whenever these keys are pressed to alert the user.

Normally to turn this feature on you would need to enable it via the Control Panel or hold down the Num Lock key for five seconds. If this beeping occurs and you do not recall doing either, the following tweak disables Toggle Keys and prevents the Num Lock key from turning it back on.

1. Click the Start button, choosing "All Programs", "Accessories", "Ease of Access", "Ease of Access Center".

2. When the "Ease of Access Center" window appears, scroll down and click on "Make it easier to focus on tasks".

3. On the following screen, scroll down to "Make it easier to type". Uncheck "Turn on Toggle Keys".

Disabling Toggle Keys in Windows 7

4. Uncheck "Turn on Toggle Keys by holding down the NUM LOCK key for 5 seconds".

5. Click "OK" to save your settings, then close the "Ease of Access Center" window.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.