Can I use a VB SCript to enable Num Lock at logon in Win 8.1 with Update 1?

Question

Hope this is the correct place for this - someone directed me to the TechNet Forums from the Windows 8.1 general forum, and then from the 'Windows Forms General' forum to one on Scripting and now to this one on Group Policy this one.  Hope I have now
got to the correct technical forum to answer the question below, which is driving me nuts.
In the good old days of Windows XP, I was able to ensure Num Lock was on at boot up by the use of a small VB Script file, which was this:
set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}"
It is really annoying with Win 8.1 that on Boot Up, AND
every time I want to switch user, Num Lock goes off (even if it was on before switching user).  I want Num Lock to be on at Boot Up AND stay on when switching user.
I have seen the suggested remedies in other forums about changing the appropriate value in the Registry (which does not work until after logon) and changing the BIOS setting (which does not work because Windows overrules the BIOS setting).  The question
is whether the VBScript solution will work with Win 8.1 with Update 1?
If it will, in which folder do I put the Script file in order for it to work for all Users?
And do I have to make the any changes to Group Policy to make it work, and if so what changes, as seems to be the case if the OS was Win 7 (mine is Win 8.1 Update 1, and NOT Win 8 Pro).
Thanks in advance for any help on this one.  Please note, I am NOT an expert user, so please try and explain any shorthand you use that you take for granted but which I won't understand!!
Neil

Answer 1

Thanks for this reply, RBoyde, but........
... as my orignal message suggested, I have hardly a clue what you are saying and the link doesn't help me understand any better either (as it doesn't seem to help with how to do something with an existing Registry key).
To be speciific:
1.  what script do I write?
2.  where do I save it so it works for all users at logon AND on switching users?
3.  how do I "run it as a logon script via group policy"????
Perghaps I need to add that this is a single, standalone, home PC, with 2 users, running Win 8.1 Core/Basic.  Also, I cannot find the Group Policy Editor on the PC; when I type either 'gpedit' or 'gpedit.msc' into Run, I get a message saying that the
file canot be found on the PC.  This when logged on as user with administrator powers.  It is not found either from a Command prompt.  And there does not seem to be a GP Snap-in available via the MM Console.
Please clarify for me what looks to be a helpful response - for I am just a 'bear of little brain' (as per Winnie the Pooh).
Neil