Window key commands not working in Windows 7

"Perhaps one of your shift, alt, or ctrl keys are stuck?

At any rate, I suggest trying out another keyboard to see exactly where the problem is."

Restart your PC and try again. If problem continues, check whether there is a physical problem with the keyboard.

"http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301422

If it's not the keyboard, it's software. I knew this was the case for me, since 3 keyboards all had the same condition. Additionally, the windows key working itself and the other keys also working that you'd use in combination were a clue.

This article explains this software symptom perfectly. Apparently, group policy can be used to disable the Windows Hotkey. I was having the same issue myself and couldn't' figure it out for the life of me. If you're still having this issue, this is a great article to check out."

"I just had this problem (although, even hitting the Winkey did not bring up the Start Menu for me) and the fix was to go into Device Manager and uninstall the ""USB ROOT HUB"".

However, you have to be very careful with this as uninstalling the HUB will cause multiple attached USB devices to stop responding. The best way to do this is to remote into your computer and manipulate it from there. If you don't have a secondary machine, you can try using a different mouse on a completely different usb port. When I uninstalled mine, I lost both mouse and keyboard at the same time, so, I used my laptop to remote in. You may also have multiple entries of ""USB ROOT HUB"".

Start by uninstalling the first USB ROOT HUB, if you still have mouse or keyboard functionality, go to the top of the window of device manager and hit ""Scan for Hardware Changes"". This will cycle the hub and reinstall the drivers for any devices attached to that hub. Repeat that process for the other Hubs (one at a time). Once you find the Hub that your keyboard (and likely your mouse) is attached to, hook up another mouse on a different USB port (or start a remote session) and hit the Scan button. That should reinstall the keyboard driver.

If that doesn't work, you either have a piece of software that is limiting/reassigning the key(s) or.....your keyboard is busted."