What Is The Windows Key

Keyboard fundamental

Windows 11 features a design reflecting the current Windows logo, using four equally sized squares.

The previous Windows key (center) with an orb surrounding the center-anchored Windows logo used for Windows Vista and Windows 7. For Windows XP, the logo had no orb surrounding information technology and was off-eye to the left.

The start Windows key (center) appeared with Windows 95.

The Windows logo key (also known as Windows-, win-, start-, logo-, flag-, or super-key ^[1]) is a keyboard fundamental which was originally introduced on the Microsoft Natural keyboard in 1994.^[2] This cardinal became a standard key on PC keyboards. In Windows borer the primal brings up the start menu. Ctrl+Esc performs the same function, in example the keyboard lacks this cardinal.

History and usage [edit]

Historically, the addition of ii Windows keys and a carte key marked the change from the 101/102-central to 104/105-key layout for PC keyboards.^[3] Compared to the former layout, a Windows key was placed betwixt the left Ctrl and the left Alt and some other Windows key and the bill of fare key were placed between the correct Alt (or AltGr) and the right Ctrl key.

The cardinal is predated past the ⌘ Control primal on Apple tree computers in 1980 and the Meta fundamental in LISP/UNIX computers in 1970.

In laptop and other compact keyboards it is common to have just one Windows key (unremarkably on the left). On Microsoft's Amusement Desktop sets (designed for Windows Vista), the Windows fundamental is in the middle of the keyboard, beneath all other keys (where the user's thumbs residuum).

Some keyboards during the Windows Vista and 7 era characteristic a circular crash-land surrounding the logo which distinguishes its feeling from the other buttons.

On Windows 8 tablet computers, hardware certification requirements initially mandated that the Windows central exist centered on the bezel below the screen, except on a convertible laptop, where the button is allowed to be off-heart in a tablet configuration. This requirement was relaxed in Windows 8.1, allowing the Windows fundamental to be placed on whatsoever bezel or edge of the unit, though a centered location along the bottom bezel is yet preferred.^[four]

Licensing [edit]

Microsoft regulates the appearance of the Windows key logo movie 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 crave that the new design be adopted for all keyboards manufactured after one September 2003.^[5] 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 to the lowest degree 3:1 with respect to groundwork that the central is applied to.^[6]

In Common Building Block Keyboard Specification, all CBB compliant keyboards were to comply with the Windows Vista Hardware Start Button specification beginning on 1 June 2007.^{[ citation needed ]}

Wikipedia uses the Unicode character U+229E ⊞ SQUARED PLUS every bit a simulation of the logo.

Employ with Microsoft Windows [edit]

From the Windows 95 to Windows 7 releases of the operating system, tapping the Windows key by itself traditionally revealed Windows Taskbar (if non visible) and opened the Kickoff menu. In Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, this key launches the Start screen merely doesn't show the taskbar. Nonetheless, this feature was added dorsum into Windows 10.

Pressing the fundamental in combination with other keys allows invoking many mutual functions through the keyboard. Holding down Ctrl+Esc will not substitute for the Windows key in these combinations. Which Windows primal combinations ("shortcuts") are bachelor and agile in a given Windows session depends on many factors, such as accessibility options, the type of the session (regular or Final Services), the Windows version, the presence of specific software such as IntelliType and Group Policy if applicable.

Below is a list of notable shortcuts which work natively. Unless otherwise noted, they are valid in the adjacent version of Windows. Using aftermarket scripts, users tin also make custom shortcuts.

Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 [edit]

The following shortcuts are valid in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0.^[7] ^[8]

⊞ Win opens the Beginning Menu
⊞ Win+D shows the desktop (hiding fifty-fifty non-minimizable windows), or restores subconscious windows when pressed a second time.
⊞ Win+E opens Windows Explorer with folder pane on left side of window.
⊞ Win+F opens Detect files and folders.
⊞ Win+Chiliad minimizes all windows.
⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+M restores windows that were minimized with ⊞ Win+Thou.
⊞ Win+R opens the "Run Program Or File" Window.
⊞ Win+U runs Utility Manager.
⊞ Win+Suspension or ⊞ Win+Break opens backdrop of My Computer.
⊞ Win+F1 opens Windows Help.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+F opens Find computers.
⊞ Win+Tab ↹ cycles through taskbar buttons. This fundamental combination is reassigned in Windows Vista.

Windows 2000 [edit]

Windows 2000 adds the following:

⊞ Win+50 locks the desktop.

Windows XP [edit]

Windows XP adds the following:

⊞ Win+B selects the first icon in the Notification Area.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+F opens Search for Computers. Requires Active Directory Domain Services.
⊞ Win+Fifty locks the desktop and (if Fast User Switching is enabled) shows the user selection screen.

Windows XP Media Centre Edition [edit]

Windows XP Media Center Edition adds the following:

⊞ Win+Alt+↵ Enter starts Windows Media Centre.

Windows Vista [edit]

Windows Vista adds the post-obit shortcuts:

⊞ Win+Space bar brings the Windows Sidebar to the front end.
⊞ Win+Yard selects next Windows Sidebar gadget detail, bringing all gadgets to the foreground in process. Gadgets were removed in Windows eight. It shows up the Xbox game bar in Windows ten.
⊞ Win+X invokes Windows Mobility Heart. Works merely if portable reckoner features are installed. This cardinal combination is reassigned in Windows 8.
⊞ Win+Tab ↹ switches active app using Aero Flip 3D. Requires desktop composition, a feature of Windows Aero. Aero Flip 3D is removed in Windows eight and this cardinal is reassigned.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+Tab ↹ is aforementioned as above, but Aero Flip 3D remains even when this key combination is released. Arrow keys or mouse may be used to navigate betwixt windows.
⊞ Win+ane through ⊞ Win+9, ⊞ Win+0 starts the corresponding Quick Launch Bar plan. ⊞ Win+0 runs the tenth item. Quick Launch is removed in Windows 7 and this fundamental is reassigned.
⊞ Win+Fifty locks the figurer.

Windows 7 [edit]

Windows 7 adds the post-obit shortcuts:

⊞ Win+Space bar activates Aero Peek. Reassigned in Windows 8.
⊞ Win+P toggles between the devices that receive video card's output. The default is computer monitor only. Other options are video projector merely, both showing the aforementioned image and both showing a portion of a larger desktop.
⊞ Win+↑ maximizes the active window.
⊞ Win+↓ restores the default window size and state of the agile window, if maximized. Otherwise, minimizes the active window.
⊞ Win+← or → to marshal the window to the corresponding side of the screen, tiled 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 from left to right.
⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+T to iterate through items on the taskbar from correct to left.
⊞ 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 go out zoom.
⊞ Win+1 through ⊞ Win+9, ⊞ Win+0 to either start or switch to the corresponding program pinned to taskbar. ⊞ Win+0 runs the tenth item. Printing multiple times to bicycle through the application's open windows. Printing and release quickly to keep the taskbar's preview open up (which allows you lot to bike using arrow keys).
⊞ Win+Home minimizes all windows other than the agile window. Pressing this combination a 2nd time restores them.
⊞ Win+D minimizes all windows. Pressing the combination a 2d time restores them.

Windows viii [edit]

Windows 8 introduces the following:

⊞ Win Opens the Outset Screen.
⊞ Win+C opens the charms. Reassigned in Windows x.
- ⊞ Win+F opens Search amuse in file mode to search for estimator files. If the Search charm is already open, switches to file search mode.
- ⊞ Win+W opens Search charm in settings manner to search for Control Panel applets. If the Search amuse is already open up, switches to settings search mode.
- ⊞ Win+Q opens Search amuse in app mode to search for app shortcuts and executable files. If the search charm is already open, information technology has no effects.
- ⊞ Win+H opens the Share charm.
- ⊞ Win+Grand opens the Devices charm for printing, connecting to a second screen/projector, or pushing multimedia content via Play To.
- ⊞ Win+I opens Settings charm, where app-specific settings, network options and shutdown button is located.
⊞ Win+10 opens Quick Links carte^[9] and grants admission to several frequently used features of Windows, such every bit accessing desktop or File Explorer.^[10] With Windows 8.1 update, it includes a shortcut to shut downward or restart the computer.
⊞ Win+Z or correct click opens the control bar for Metro-style apps. This bar appears at the lesser of the screen and replaces both context menu and toolbar in Metro-way apps.
⊞ Win+Tab ↹ invokes the app switcher and changes between Metro-style apps. Unlike Alt+Tab ↹, the app switcher does not include windows that appear on desktop.
⊞ Win+Infinite bar changes input method. Unlike Alt+⇧ Shift, this combination likewise causes a pop-up notification to announced.
⊞ Win+PrtScr or ⊞ Win+Book upward instantly saves a screenshot to the "Screenshots" folder in "Pictures" library. All screenshots are saved equally PNG files.^[11]

Windows 8.one [edit]

Windows 8.one introduces the following:

⊞ Win+O locks device orientation^[12]
⊞ Win+South activates the Search Everywhere amuse, opening a sidebar at the side of the screen.
⊞ Win+U activates the Ease of Admission Heart command panel applet.
⊞ Win+Five cycles through notifications.

Windows x [edit]

Windows ten introduces the following:^[thirteen]

⊞ Win+A opens Action Center.
- ⊞ Win+Five or ⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+V cycles through notifications.
⊞ Win+V opens the clipboard history (after October 2018 update).^[14]
⊞ Win+C activates Cortana listening mode.
⊞ Win+Yard opens the Game DVR bar (Xbox Game Bar).
- ⊞ Win+Alt+R starts or stops recording. All recordings are saved in the "Captures" binder in the "Videos" library as an MP4 file.
- ⊞ Win+Alt+1000 records the final thirty seconds when groundwork recording is turned on for the game.
- ⊞ Win+Alt+T shows or hides the recording timer.
- ⊞ Win+Alt+PrtScr instantly saves a screenshot to the "Captures" folder in the "Images" library. All screenshots are saved as PNG files.
⊞ Win+I opens Settings.
⊞ Win+F opens the Feedback Hub.
⊞ Win+Westward opens the Widget panel.
⊞ Win+Tab ↹ opens task view (opens timeline and remains afterward April 2018 Update).^[15]
⊞ Win+↑+← through ⊞ Win+↓+→ to align a window snapped to the correct or left to the respective quadrant of the screen.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+D creates a new virtual desktop.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+B refreshes display in case of screen lockup.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+F4 closes the active virtual desktop.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+← or → switches betwixt virtual desktops.
⊞ Win+. or ; opens the emoji panel while typing (this was changed on the "May 2019 update").^[16]
⊞ Win+H opens the dictation toolbar (after Fall Creators Update).^[17]
⊞ Win+P brings upward projection settings: PC screen just, Duplicate, Extend, 2d screen only and Connect to a wireless display.
⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+S Opens Snip & Sketch tool to capture screen selection and puts into clipboard.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt Opens website https://world wide web.office.com/?from=OfficeKey.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+D Opens OneDrive.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+L Opens website LinkedIn.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+Y Opens website Yammer.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+N Opens OneNote.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+O Opens Outlook.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+P Opens PowerPoint.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+T Opens Teams.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+West Opens Give-and-take.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Alt+X Opens Excel.

Microsoft Office [edit]

Boosted installed software may innovate other shortcuts using the Windows fundamental. For example, various Microsoft Office applications add shortcuts of their ain:

⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+South to take a screenshot for OneNote; conflicts with ⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+South on Windows viii.1.
⊞ Win+E to open up a new side note in OneNote.
⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+N to open OneNote.
⊞ Win+Y to open Skype for Business. This shortcut also places the cursor straight on the search bar. (Disabled in Skype for Business 2016)

Use with other operating systems [edit]

The Windows fundamental can also be used on other operating systems.

On Unix and Unix-like operating systems, the key is usually given the 10 keysym "Super" (on before versions "Meta" was often used), and turns on the shift fleck called MOD4. Virtually desktop environments apply it much like Windows, with printing+release popping up a primary menu like to the Windows start menu (GNOME Beat out bringing upwards the Activities Overview, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon and most other desktop environments pop up their master system menus), and with combinations with letters performing deportment such as run-command, often with the shortcuts and actions copied from Windows. A common action that is not shared with Windows is for the key to allow dragging a window effectually from any location without raising it, and in the Compiz window managing director information technology causes the roll cycle to zoom in or out of any role of the desktop.

If ane plugs a Windows keyboard into a macOS computer, the Windows fundamental acts as the ⌘ Control. This swaps the locations of ⌘ Command and Alt from standard Macintosh keyboards. Plugging a Macintosh keyboard into a Windows (or Linux) auto makes ⌘ Command act similar ⊞ Win, again with the locations swapped with Alt from standard.

If one plugs a Windows keyboard into a Chrome OS figurer, the Windows key acts every bit the Search key. This key is in the location where the Caps Lock central would be on other keyboards.

If one plugs a Windows keyboard into an Xbox 360, pressing the Windows cardinal performs the same action as the Guide push button on Xbox 360 Controller or remote controls, opening the Xbox Guide. Property down the Windows fundamental and pressing One thousand opens a popular upward conversation window over gameplay, if an instant bulletin conversation is in progress. On a PlayStation 3 console, pressing the Windows central performs the aforementioned action as the PS Button on the Sixaxis Controller, opening the XrossMediaBar.

If one plugs a Windows keyboard into an Xbox One or Xbox Series S|X, pressing the Windows central performs the same activity every bit pressing the Xbox button on a controller.

References [edit]

^ "Ubuntu using Windows cardinal(Super key) to Launch Gnome Main Menu - Ubuntu Sharing". Retrieved 8 March 2019.
^ Fisher, Lawrence M. (6 September 1994). "Microsoft Is Bringing Out Its Commencement Reckoner Keyboard". The New York Times.
^ Initially, 104-primal keyboards were frequently called "Windows keyboards" but this denomination has get less and less used with fourth dimension.
^ "Windows Hardware Certification Requirements for Customer and Server Systems". MSDN. Microsoft. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
^ Microsoft Corporation. "Microsoft Windows Logo Key Logo License Understanding Amendment". Archived from the original on 23 March 2006.
^ "Windows Vista Hardware Start Button". Microsoft. Archived from the original on ten February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
^ "Windows 95 Tips.txt File Contents". Back up.microsoft.com. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
^ "Microsoft Windows shortcut keys". Computerhope.com. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
^ "Keyboard shortcuts - Windows 8, Windows RT". Windows 8, RT Aid. Microsoft. Retrieved three September 2013.
^ Thurrot, Paul (26 June 2013). "Easily-On with Windows 8.ane: Ability User Carte du jour". Paul Thurrott'due south SuperSite for Windows. Penton. Retrieved seven August 2013.
^ Chen, Raymond (14 January 2014). "How exercise I hit the Win+PrintScreen hotkey if my tablet doesn't have a PrtSc key?". The Erstwhile New Matter. Microsoft. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
^ "Keyboard shortcuts Windows 8.i, Windows RT 8.1". Microsoft. Retrieved 13 Oct 2014.
^ Morris, Paul (31 July 2015). "New Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts [Listing]". Redmond Pie. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
^ "Windows x October 2018 Update: the 10 best new features". The Verge. iii October 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
^ "Make the most of your time with the new Windows 10 update". Microsoft. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
^ Lopez, Napier (10 June 2017). "Windows x now has an emoji shortcut (it'southward about time)". The Side by side Web. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
^ "Utilize dictation to talk instead of type on your PC". Microsoft. xix October 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2018.

External links [edit]

Microsoft Support page

Keyboard shortcuts in Windows 7 and above
How to enable or disable the keyboard Windows cardinal

IBM PC keyboard (Windows, ANSI US layout) v t east
Esc	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5	F6	F7	F8	F9	F10	F11	F12	PrtScn/ SysRq	Scroll Lock	Pause/ Break

													Insert	Dwelling	PgUp	Num Lock	∕	∗	−
													Delete	End	PgDn	7	viii	nine	+
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														↑		1	2	3	Enter
													←	↓	→	0 Ins		. Del	Enter