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A Windows key on a black laptop keyboard
The Windows key or Windows logo key (in short WinKey, or rarely Flag key, Start key or Menu Key) is a keyboard key originally introduced for the Windows 95 operating system. On keyboards lacking a Windows key, Ctrl+Esc can instead be pressed.
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: compared to the former layout, a Windows key was placed between the left control key 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 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. However, with the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft is currently publishing new guidelines for a new Windows Logo key that incorporates the Windows logo recessed in a lowered circle with a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with respect to background that the key is applied to. A few keyboard manufacturers have already incorporated this new design into their range of keyboards.
Usage with Windows
Within the standard Windows shell, pressing the Windows key by itself opens the Start Menu (focusing the Quick Search box in Windows Vista).
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.
Usage with other 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.
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 "Super".
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, bringing up the User blade in game play.
Issues and alternative designs
The original placement of the Windows keys, especially the left one, has been a cause of troubles for the possibility of hitting them inadvertently causing the deactivation of the current window, while trying to use the CTRL or ALT keys. This is especially troublesome during full-screen games as it forces the game to minimize or switch to a windowed mode. Thus the windows key has become particularly reviled by gamers. To avoid such problems, some applications disable the Windows keys while they are running and some users simply remove them from the keyboard by prying the key using a flathead screwdriver. Some keyboards, such as the Logitech G15, have a switch to disable the windows keys. Alternatively, you can modify the registry to disable the keys.
Users of non-Windows systems may be frustrated 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 a Tux image, a KDE or specific Linux distribution logo, or other graphics. Some keyboard manufacturers, such as Cherry, also produce keyboards with a Tux key.
References
- ^ Initially, 104-key keyboards were frequently called "Windows keyboards" but this denomination has become less and less used with time.
- ^ Amendment to the Windows Key Logo License Agreement (page no longer accessible)
- ^ See modifier key for more info related to real-time games
See also
External links
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