On ASUS laptops, the Windows logo key sits on the bottom row—usually between Ctrl and Alt—and opens Start; compact models may place it near Space.
The Windows logo key is the small four-pane icon that launches the Start menu and powers dozens of time-saving shortcuts. On most ASUS notebook keyboards you’ll find it on the bottom row near the left side. The quickest way to spot it is to scan for the Windows logo beside the left Alt key. On some compact layouts, the logo can shift closer to the spacebar, and a few models include a second logo key on the right.
Windows Key Location On Asus Notebooks: Quick Checks
Start with a simple scan. Look along the bottom row and read the labels from left to right: Ctrl → Fn (on many models) → the Windows logo → Alt. That left-side slot is the common position across VivoBook, Zenbook, TUF, and many ROG units. If your layout is edge-to-edge, the key might sit tight against the spacebar while still showing the familiar four-pane symbol.
Newer ASUS manuals describe two special Windows keys: the one with the logo that opens Start, and the menu key (a pointer over a list icon) that calls the context menu. If you see that menu key, the logo key is usually a few spots to its left. This pairing makes it easier to confirm you’re looking at the right row.
What The Windows Logo Key Looks Like
The icon is a four-pane “window.” On backlit boards it glows like any letter key; on some gaming keyboards, it may be a small outlined window on a dark cap. You might also spot two copies—one at the left and another near the right Alt. Both perform the same job.
If you’re ever unsure, tap the key: the Start menu should appear. If nothing pops up, don’t panic; jump to the fixes below to check for a Win-key lock or a software setting that’s blocking it.
Fast Ways To Find Or Use It When The Key Is Hidden
Use The On-Screen Keyboard
Windows includes a virtual keyboard that shows a clearly labeled Windows logo key. Turn it on via Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and toggle On-Screen Keyboard. This lets you press the logo key with your mouse or touch while you look for the physical key on the deck.
Press A Logo-Key Shortcut
Try a quick combo. Hold the logo key and tap a partner key you know by feel—Win+R opens Run, Win+I opens Settings, and Win+E opens File Explorer. If one of those triggers, you’ve found it. Microsoft maintains a living list of Windows keyboard shortcuts.
Model-By-Model Notes For ASUS Layouts
VivoBook And Zenbook
These thin-and-light lines stick to the expected layout. The logo key almost always sits between Fn and Alt on the left. Some 13-inch units tuck keys closer to the spacebar; look for the four-pane mark next to Alt.
TUF Gaming
Most TUF laptops keep the left-side logo key as usual. Because the boards are compact, the labels run tight, which can make the icon easy to miss at a glance. If you use the TUF hotkeys often, your thumb may rest near the logo key already—test a combo to confirm.
ROG Series
Many ROG models add dedicated gaming keys near the top row and may place a second Windows logo key on the right. The left one remains near Fn/Alt. Some ROG utilities include a Win-key lock for gaming; if Start doesn’t open, check the software notes below.
Why The Windows Logo Key Might Seem Missing
Minimal Labels Or Alternate Icons
Some keycaps print a clean outline instead of a full window logo. Others use a small square flag. If the cap art looks stripped down, press where the logo key usually lives—bottom row, just left of Alt.
Right-Side Only Layouts
A few compact keyboards place a second logo key on the right and keep the left one narrow. If you’re left-handed and reaching by touch, this can feel “missing” until you look down.
Software Lock From Gaming Tools
Gaming utilities can disable the logo key so accidental presses don’t yank you out of a match. If you use ASUS Armoury Crate or a ROG control panel, look for a Win-key toggle and set it to On. After that, the key should open Start again.
Quick Fixes If The Logo Key Doesn’t Work
Rule Out A Temporary Glitch
Restart the laptop and test again. Tap the key alone and then try a combo such as Win+R. If the Start menu opens from the taskbar but not from the keyboard, the cap is either disabled in software or the switch is stuck.
Check ASUS Hotkeys And Gaming Settings
Open your ASUS utility and look for a setting named Win Key or Windows Key. Turn it on. Many ASUS help pages list the Windows logo key among the hotkeys that launch system features, so if a toggle disabled it, re-enabling restores normal behavior. For reference, ASUS outlines the Windows logo key in its keyboard FAQ: Windows logo key.
Test With The On-Screen Keyboard
Open the virtual keyboard as a control test. If clicking the logo key there opens Start, the system accepts the input and your physical key needs attention—either cleaning or a software toggle reset.
Try An External Keyboard
Plug in a USB keyboard and test the same shortcuts. If the external board works, the laptop switch may be faulty. If neither device works, a setting or driver likely blocks the input.
Reinstall ASUS Keyboard Hotkeys (If Needed)
On models that use the ASUS hotkeys package, reinstalling it can clear odd behavior. Visit your product’s support page and install the newest keyboard/hotkeys driver.
Helpful Windows Logo Key Shortcuts You’ll Use Daily
Once you’ve found the key, lean on it. These combos save clicks and make navigation feel smooth:
- Win — open Start.
- Win+E — open File Explorer.
- Win+I — open Settings.
- Win+V — open Clipboard history.
- Win+Shift+S — capture a screen region.
- Win+. — open the emoji panel.
These are among the combos ASUS documents and the ones Microsoft lists in its shortcut catalog. Once they’re muscle memory, you’ll move faster in Windows.
Common Symbols And Spots You’ll See On ASUS Keyboards
Use this quick table while scanning your deck. It lists how the logo key tends to appear across popular ASUS lines and where to look first.
| ASUS Line / Layout | Where You’ll Find The Logo Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VivoBook / Zenbook (13–15″) | Bottom row, left side, between Fn and Alt | Sometimes narrow; sits flush next to the spacebar. |
| TUF Gaming | Bottom row, left side, beside Alt | Labels are tight; easy to miss at a glance. |
| ROG Series | Bottom row left; some boards include a second on the right | Gaming utilities may offer a Win-key lock toggle. |
Step-By-Step Checklist To Spot The Key Fast
- Place your finger on the left edge of the spacebar.
- Move one key left: that’s usually Alt. The next key left is commonly the logo key.
- If you hit Fn instead, the logo key is likely one key to the right, between Fn and Alt.
- Press it once. If Start opens, you’ve nailed it. If not, try Win+R or Win+E.
- No response? Open the virtual keyboard and test there, then check Armoury Crate for a Win-key toggle.
When The Key Works But Feels Off
Keys can feel sticky after a spill or collect dust around the switch. Power down, tilt the laptop, and use short bursts from a can of compressed air along the sides of the cap. Don’t pry aggressively; scissor mechanisms are delicate. If the feel doesn’t improve, ask a service center to reseat or replace the cap.
Detachable, 2-In-1, And External Boards
On detachable ASUS keyboards for 2-in-1s, the layout mirrors the laptop deck. The logo key still sits on the bottom row near the left. If you use a third-party compact board, check its diagram—some swap right-side modifier sizes, but the Windows logo position next to Alt stays common.
Extra Tips For Compact And International Layouts
Compact 60–75% Boards
Small layouts keep the logo key but squeeze spacing. The icon may appear smaller or shifted. The position relative to Alt stays consistent on most units, so use that as your anchor.
Language Variants
On some regional boards the printed word “Win” appears beside the icon. The function is identical. If letters crowd the cap art, the four-pane symbol might be the only marking—Start still opens with a press.
Proof That You’re Looking In The Right Place
ASUS support pages list the Windows logo key among system hotkeys, and Microsoft’s documentation shows the same icon used across Windows. That match is your confirmation: bottom row, near the left, bearing the four-pane mark. If your layout looks different, check your exact model’s manual by serial number on the ASUS site to view a diagram.
Sources You Can Trust
For official reference on what the logo key does and the combos it powers, read Microsoft’s page on keyboard shortcuts in Windows. For ASUS-specific hotkey behavior, see the FAQ that lists the Windows logo key among the functions.