Windows key

The Windows logo key—also known as the Windows key, the home key, the meta key, the start key, MOD4, 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. On keyboards lacking a Windows key, <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">Esc</kbd> can be used instead in Windows, though some functionality is lacking.

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:[1] compared to the former layout, a Windows key was placed between the left <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">Ctrl</kbd> and the left <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">Alt</kbd>; another Windows key and—immediately to its right—a menu key were placed between the <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">AltGr</kbd> (or right <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">Alt</kbd> key on keyboards that lack <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">AltGr</kbd>) 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).

Contents

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.

Use 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 mnemonic 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. <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">Esc</kbd> 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
Introduced in Windows 7

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

Use with non-Microsoft operating systems

The Windows key can also be used under other operating systems.

Under Unix and Unix-like operating systems it is sometimes called "Meta" or "Super".

The X window system usually treats this key as modifier MOD4.

Desktop environments such as KDE and GNOME usually support the key, though it may be necessary to configure its functionality after installation.

In the Compiz window manager the Windows key can by default be 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 <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">CTRL</kbd> or <kbd class="keyboard-key" style="border: 1px solid; border-color: #ddd #bbb #bbb #ddd; border-bottom-width: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1px 3px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.85em; white-space: nowrap;">ALT</kbd> 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[5] (which disables the key completely) or use third-party software like WinKey (discontinued as of July 2005) or AutoHotkey (open-source) to create custom shortcuts.

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. ^ Initially, 104-key keyboards were frequently called "Windows keyboards" but this denomination has become less and less used with time.
  2. ^ Amendment to the Windows Key Logo License Agreement (page no longer accessible)
  3. ^ Windows Vista Hardware Start Button
  4. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/openutilitymanager.mspx
  5. ^ How to disable the keyboard Windows key

External links

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