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Dear JeffDF,

Thank you for posting your question on our forum.

To fix your Windows key issue, please try the following:

1. Check if you have enabled gaming mode on your keyboard. Some keyboards have a switch or a button that disables the Windows key to prevent accidental interruptions while gaming. If you have such a feature, turn it off and see if the Windows key works again.

2. Use the Win Lock key. Some keyboards also have a Win Lock key that can toggle the Windows key on and off. It is usually located near the Windows key and has a lock icon on it. Press it and see if the Windows key is enabled.

3. Disable the Filter Keys option. Filter Keys is a Windows feature that can ignore brief or repeated keystrokes. It might interfere with the Windows key functionality. To disable it, follow these steps:

- press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings;

- click Ease of Access;

- click Keyboard on the left pane;

- under Filter Keys, make sure the toggle is set to Off;

- restart your computer and check if the Windows key works.

4. Enable the Windows logo key via Windows Registry. If the above methods do not work, you might need to modify the registry to enable the Windows key. However, this is a risky operation that can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Therefore, we recommend that you backup your registry before proceeding. You can use Auslogics Registry Cleaner to safely and easily back up and restore your registry. To enable the Windows logo key via Windows Registry, follow these steps:

- press the Windows logo key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box;

- type regedit and click OK to open Registry Editor;

- navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

- right-click on the right pane and select New -> Binary Value;

- name the new value Scancode Map;

- double-click on the new value and enter 00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000 in the Value data field;

- click OK and close Registry Editor;

- restart your computer and check if the Windows key works.

To fix your system settings issue, please try the following:

1. Run the troubleshooter for Windows Update. Windows Update can sometimes cause problems with system settings. To troubleshoot it, follow these steps:

- press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings;

- click Update & Security;

- click Troubleshoot on the left pane;

- click Additional troubleshooters on the right pane;

- click Windows Update and then click Run the troubleshooter;

- follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process;

- restart your computer and check if the system settings work.

2. Reset the system settings app. If the troubleshooter does not help, you can try resetting the system settings app to its default state:

- press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings;

- click Apps;

- click Apps & features on the left pane;

- scroll down and find Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost on the right pane;

- click on it and then click Advanced options;

- scroll down and click Reset under the Reset section;

- click Reset again to confirm;

- restart your computer and check if the system settings work.

To fix your USB microphone issue, please try the following:

1. Check the sound settings. Make sure that your USB microphone is set as the default input device and that the volume is not muted. To do this, follow these steps:

- right-click on the speaker icon on the taskbar and select Sounds;

- click the Recording tab and find your USB microphone on the list;

- right-click on it and select Set as Default Device;

- right-click on it again and select Properties;

- click the Levels tab and make sure that the volume is not muted or too low;

- click OK and close the Sound window;

- test your USB microphone and see if it works.

2. Update your audio driver. An outdated or incompatible audio driver can cause problems with your USB microphone.

Should you have any other questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.