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Windows key

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The Windows key used prior to Windows XP (center).

The Windows logo key - also known as the Windows key, the WinKey, the Home Key, the Meta Key, the Start key, MOD4[citation needed], or the Flag key (sometimes shortened to Flag) - is a keyboard key which was originally introduced on the Microsoft Natural keyboard before the release of Windows 95. This key became a standard key on PC keyboards since the release of the Windows 95 operating system. On keyboards lacking a Windows key, Ctrl+Esc can instead be used in Windows, though some functionality is lacking. The Windows logo key is sometimes used to emulate the Super key or the Meta key.[1]

Historically, the addition of two Windows keys and a menu key marked the change from the 101/102-key to 104/105-key layout for PC keyboards:[2] compared to the former layout, a Windows key was placed between the left Ctrl and the left Alt; another Windows key and — immediately to its right — a menu key were placed between the AltGr (or right Alt key on keyboards that lack AltGr) and the right control key. In laptop and other compact keyboards it is common to have just one Windows key (usually on the left). Also, on Microsoft's Entertainment Desktop sets (designed for Windows Vista), the Windows key is in the middle of the keyboard, below all other keys (where the user's thumbs rest).

Licensing

Microsoft regulates the appearance of the Windows key logo picture with a specially crafted license for keyboard manufacturers ("Microsoft Windows Logo Key Logo License Agreement for Keyboard Manufacturers"). With the introduction of a new Microsoft Windows logo, first used with Windows XP, the agreement was updated to require that the new design be adopted for all keyboards manufactured after September 1, 2003.[3] However, with the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft published guidelines for a new Windows Logo key that incorporates the Windows logo recessed in a chamfered lowered circle with a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with respect to background that the key is applied to.[4]

In Common Building Block Keyboard Specification, all CBB compliant keyboards were to comply with the Windows Vista Hardware Start Button specification beginning in 2007-06-01.[citation needed]

Usage with Microsoft Windows

Even though Windows 3.1 does not natively support the Windows key, the Windows key on Microsoft keyboards released prior to Windows 95 will work in Windows 3.1 with special software that accompanies the keyboard. On Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, and all later versions of Windows, the Windows key on keyboards released prior to Windows 95 behaves identically to the Windows key on keyboards released after Windows 95.

Within the standard Windows Shell, pressing and releasing the Windows key by itself opens the Start Menu (focusing the Quick Search box in Windows Vista and Windows 7) which then enables mnenomic keys to be used.

If one presses the Windows Key, any open PC games, or other similar programs where the taskbar is not shown, will minimize without exiting the program.

Pressing the key in combination with other keys allows invoking many common functions through the keyboard. What Windows key combinations ("shortcuts") are available and active in a given Windows session depends on many factors, including accessibility options, the type of the session (regular or Terminal Services), the Windows version, the presence of specific software such as IntelliType, and others. The External links section below provides a list of Microsoft articles with more details.

Microsoft Windows shortcuts

Tapping the Windows key without pressing any other keys toggles the Start Menu. Ctrl+Esc duplicates this functionality, but cannot be used in place of the Windows key in other shortcuts.

As of Windows XP
Introduced in Windows XP Media Center Edition
Introduced in Windows Vista
  • ⊞ Win+G to select next Windows Sidebar gadget item and bring all gadgets to the foreground.
  • ⊞ Win+SPACEBAR to show the Windows Sidebar. Replaced with Aero Peek in Windows 7, as the Windows Sidebar was discontinued.
  • ⊞ Win+X to enter the Windows Mobility Center. Works only if portable computer features are installed.
  • ⊞ Win+Tab ↹ to switch windows using Aero Flip 3D. Requires desktop composition, a feature of Aero.
  • ⊞ Win+CTRL+Tab ↹ to switch windows using sticky Aero Flip 3D. Shortcut keys may be released and arrow keys or mouse used to navigate between windows.
  • ⊞ Win+1, ⊞ Win+2, ... ⊞ Win+0 to start the corresponding Quicklaunch program. ⊞ Win+0 runs the tenth item. Replaced in Windows 7, as the Quicklaunch feature was discontinued.
Introduced in Windows 7
  • ⊞ Win+SPACEBAR to active Aero Peek. Replaced a previous shortcut introduced in Windows Vista.
  • ⊞ Win+P to open the display and projector toggle (to switch between projection modes when multiple monitors are present). Monitors can be cloned, "extended" from the primary monitor, or deactivated altogether.
  • ⊞ Win+↑ to maximize the active window.
  • ⊞ Win+↓ to restore (default window size, not maximized nor in taskbar) the active window.
  • ⊞ Win+← or → to align the window to the respective side of the screen, maximizing it vertically.
  • ⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+← or → to move the window to the next or previous monitor, if multiple monitors are used
  • ⊞ Win+T to iterate through items on the taskbar.
  • ⊞ Win++ or ⊞ Win to zoom into the screen at the mouse cursor position using the Magnifier Utility.
  • ⊞ Win+- to zoom out if the Magnifier Utility is running.
  • ⊞ Win+esc to cancel magnification and close the Magnifier Utility.
  • ⊞ Win+1, ⊞ Win+2, ... ⊞ Win+0 to run or activate the corresponding programs in the taskbar. ⊞ Win+0 runs the tenth item. Replaced the Quicklaunch shortcuts introduced in Windows Vista.

Third-party programs may introduce other shortcuts using the Windows key. For example, OneNote by Microsoft adds several shortcuts:

Usage in non-Microsoft operating systems

The Windows key can also generally be used under different operating systems. Under Unix and Unix-like operating systems it is often used as the Meta key or Compose key[citation needed].

Desktop environments such as KDE and GNOME for GNU/Linux support it, though it may be necessary to configure its functionalities after installation. Free operating systems often refer to the key as "Meta" or "Super".

In Compiz, a [citation needed] window manager for modern Linux systems, the super key is used in conjunction with the scroll wheel to zoom in or out of any part of the desktop.

Apple's Mac OS X uses the Windows key as a replacement for the Command key if a third-party keyboard is used that does not include the latter. This sometimes leads to placement issues for users used to Apple keyboards however, as the Command key is usually placed where the Alt key is on most keyboards (next to the Space bar)

When using a keyboard on the Xbox 360 console, pressing the Windows key performs the same action as the Guide button on the Xbox 360 controller or remote controls, opening the Xbox Guide in game play. Additionally, holding down the Windows key and pressing M opens a pop up conversation window over game play if an Instant Message conversation is in progress.

When using a USB keyboard with the key for input on a PlayStation 3 console, pressing the Windows key performs the same action as the PS Button on the Sixaxis Controller, opening the XrossMediaBar.

Criticisms and solutions

The placement of the Windows keys can be problematic due to the possibility of hitting them inadvertently while trying to use the CTRL or ALT keys. On a typical Windows installation, pressing and releasing either Windows key causes the current window to lose its focus; if playing a full-screen game at the time, the game will be minimized and this may cause negative side-effects, such as loss of control over the gameplay, the game having to spend a long time reloading graphics or other data when restored, or even (mainly in older games) a freeze, crash, black screen or other problem causing loss of in-game progress.

To avoid such problems, some applications disable the Windows keys while they are running and some users physically remove them from their keyboard. Some keyboards, such as the Logitech G15, have a switch to disable the Windows keys. Alternatively, one can modify the registry to disable the keys[6] (which disables the key completely) or use third-party software like WinKey (from Copernic Inc., discontinued as of July 2005) or AutoHotkey (open-source) to create custom shortcuts.

Users of non-Windows systems are sometimes disturbed or simply aesthetically annoyed by having a Windows-specific logo on their keyboard. For this reason, sets of stickers and key-caps are available, mainly from online stores, which can be used to restyle the Windows keys with an image of Linux mascot Tux, a logo for KDE or a specific Linux distribution, or other graphics. Some keyboard manufacturers, such as Cherry, also produce keyboards with a Tux key. Some keyboards now have omitted the right windows key and left context menu key.

Recently, some netbook portable computers, such as Asus Eee PC and Linux versions of Acer Aspire One are coming with a Home key instead of a Windows key, mainly due to the OEM Linux distributions installed on such machines.

See also

References

  1. ^ Pressing the Ctrl+Esc combination merely brings up the Start Menu. Some Windows key-specific commands, such as minimizing all windows or showing the desktop, are not available from this menu.
  2. ^ Initially, 104-key keyboards were frequently called "Windows keyboards" but this denomination has become less and less used with time.
  3. ^ Amendment to the Windows Key Logo License Agreement (page no longer accessible)
  4. ^ Windows Vista Hardware Start Button
  5. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/openutilitymanager.mspx
  6. ^ How to disable the keyboard Windows key
IBM PC keyboard (Windows, ANSI US layout)
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Lock 		Pause/
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