If you need to give your keyboard a quick wipe-down, you can use child lockers to temporarily shut it off instead of restarting your computer entirely.

Every once in a while, your keyboard gets a little grimy and needs a quick cleaning. Of course, you rarely realise this when your computer’s off, and it’s not really worth restarting since it’s a 10-second job. If you want to clean it without pressing a ton of keys, just use a key locker like previously mentioned Kid-Key-Lock — it’s portable, so you can start it up just for a few seconds while you wipe down the keys. It also locks your mouse and drive doors, so you can give your whole machine a quick cleaning without turning it off.
Lock your Keyboard, Mouse, Drive Doors while cleaning your system [Technospot.net via GHacks]
How about just unplugging it? Or doing it before your PC is turned on? Or taking the batteries out (if wireless)?
Don’t be silly, installing third-party software is much easier than unplugging a usb cable or disconnecting a bluetooth device.
This is why my wireless keyboard had to have an off/on switch.. So easy to switch it off and then go to town wiping it down..
Or, if you windows you could just hit Windows key + L to lock the machine.
This is genius! You have just creat my g-to method.
Thank you.
Woops – *created
Seriously? Windows+L all the way, no need to make things more complicated than they need to be.
Why not just lock the machine?
totally, like I find the best way to clean my computer screen without turning it off is to:
1. Don some insulative gloves
2. Remove rear screws
3. Disassemble said screen
4. Remove all delicate electrical components
5. Wash all plastic parts in a hot bath of soapy water
6. Blast with a couple of bottles of deionised spring water to rinse
7. Allow to air dry thoroughly over 48 hours
8. Reassemble.
Woot – not powering off required!
Can anyone suggest a Mac alternative?