Introduced in Windows 7

Licensing
Microsoft regulates the appearance in the Windows crucial logo image with a specially created license for keyboard manufacturers ("Microsoft Windows Logo Essential Logo License Agreement for Keyboard Manufacturers"). Together with the introduction of a new Microsoft Windows logo, very first used with Windows XP, the arrangement was up-to-date to require the new design be adopted for all keyboards produced right after September one, 2003. However, using the release of Windows Vista Office 2010 Standard Key, Microsoft printed guidelines for a new Windows Logo important that incorporates the Windows logo recessed in a chamfered lowered circle having a contrast ratio of at the very least 3:1 with respect to background the essential is applied to.
In Widespread Constructing Block Keyboard Specification, all CBB compliant keyboard should comply towards the Windows Vista Hardware Start Button specification beginning in 2007-06-01. A few keyboard producers have currently incorporated this new design into their range of keyboards. Gel Ink Pens
Usage with Microsoft Windows Gel Ink Pens Manufacturer
Within the standard Windows Shell Genuine Office 2007, pressing and releasing the Windows important by alone opens the Start Menu (concentrating the Quick Research box in Windows Vista and Windows seven). Flashlight Pen
If 1 presses the Windows Crucial, any open Pc video games, or other comparable plans where the taskbar isn't shown, will minimize with out exiting the system. Players may possibly discover this useful if they wish to open one more software with out exiting the system they're using.
Pressing the essential in mixture with other keys enables invoking many widespread functions through the keyboard. What Windows important combinations ("shortcuts") are obtainable and active inside a offered Windows session is dependent upon many aspects, including accessibility choices, the sort from the session (normal or Terminal Solutions), the Windows edition, the presence of specific application including IntelliType, and other people. The External hyperlinks segment below offers a list of Microsoft articles with more details.
In Windows Vista, it is also a Hardware Start Button. It sends the identical scan code as standard Windows essential, but compliant hardware will flip about the pc.
Microsoft Windows shortcuts
Tapping the Windows key itself opens and closes the Start off Menu. Ctrl+Esc duplicates this features, but can not be used with some other shortcuts.
Windows + B to pick the first icon inside the Notification Area
Windows + D to show the desktop, or re-show hidden packages when pressed a 2nd time
Windows + E to open Explorer
Windows + F to open Search
Windows + Manage + F to open Research for Computers (needs Lively Directory Domain Solutions)
Windows + F1 to open Help
Windows + L to lock the desktop or change users
Windows + M to reduce all windows
Windows + Shift + M to restore windows that were minimized with Windows + M
Windows + R to open the Operate dialog
Windows + U to open Utility Supervisor (Ease of Accessibility)
Windows + Pause to open Program Properties (Break also functions in location of Pause)
Windows + S to take a display screen shot for OneNote, if this system is installed and running
Windows + N to open a new side notice in OneNote, if this system is installed and running
Windows + Shift to open OneNote, if this program is put in and running
Introduced in Windows Vista
Windows + G to pick next sidebar gadget item
Windows + Room to show sidebar
Windows + X to enter Windows Mobility Middle (portable computers only)
Windows + Tab to change windows making use of Flip 3D (demands desktop compositioning)
Windows + 1 to 9 to begin in accordance Fast Start Toolbar program
Windows + Alt + Enter to start Windows Media Center
Introduced in Windows 7
Windows + Space to enter "Peek at desktop" mode
Windows + P to swap projection modes (clone, extend, single, several monitors, etc.)
Windows + Up Arrow to increase the energetic window
Windows + Down Arrow to restore (default window dimension, not maximized nor in taskbar) the energetic window
Windows + Left or Correct Arrow to align the window for the respective aspect in the screen
Windows + Shift + Left or Correct Arrow to move the window towards the subsequent or prior monitor, if multiple monitors are used
Windows + T to toggle in between the tabs within the toolbar (also run with Vista)
Windows + + to zoom into the display in the mouse cursor position (launches the Magnifier utility)
Windows + - to zoom out if display screen is magnified currently
Third-party packages may introduce other shortcuts employing the Windows Logo Key.
Usage with other Non-MS Windows running systems
The Windows important may also usually be utilised under different operating systems. Below Unix and Unix-like operating methods it's often used as the Meta important or Compose essential.
Desktop environments including KDE and GNOME for GNU/Linux assistance it, though it might be necessary to configure its functionalities following installation. Cost-free operating methods often refer towards the crucial as "Meta" or "Super".
In Compiz, a well-liked window supervisor for contemporary Linux systems, the super essential is utilized in conjunction with the scroll wheel to zoom in or out of any component of the desktop.
Apple's Mac OS X uses the Windows essential as a substitute for your Command important if a third-party keyboard is employed that doesn't contain the latter. This often results in placement issues for users employed to Apple keyboards nonetheless, as the Command key is usually put exactly where the Alt key is on most keyboards (subsequent to the Room bar)
When employing a keyboard about the Xbox 360 console, pressing the Windows key performs the same motion as the Guide button within the Xbox 360 controller or remote controls, opening the Xbox Manual in game play. Moreover Office Home And Business 2010 Key, holding down the Windows important and pressing M opens a pop up conversation window more than game play if an Instant Message conversation is in progress.
When making use of a USB keyboard with all the key for input on a PlayStation 3 console Microsoft Office 2010 Home And Business, pressing the Windows crucial performs the very same action because the PS Button about the Sixaxis Controller, opening the XrossMediaBar.
Criticisms and solutions
The placement with the Windows keys might be problematic on account of the potential of hitting them inadvertently, causing the deactivation with the existing window whilst trying to make use of the CTRL or ALT keys, and simply because the addition of two keys on the correct reduces the width from the space-bar and moves the correct ALT or AltGr key relative towards the conventional Computer keyboard layout. This accidental activation concern is specifically problematic in the course of full-screen video games because it forces the game to minimize or change to a windowed mode, thus the Windows key has become especially reviled by gamers. To prevent these kinds of problems, some programs disable the Windows keys whilst they're running and some end users physically get rid of them from their keyboard. Some keyboards, like the Logitech G15, possess a switch to disable the Windows keys. Alternatively, 1 can modify the registry to disable the keys (which disables the essential completely) or use third-party application like WinKey (from Copernic Inc., discontinued as of July 2005) or AutoHotKey (open-source) to develop customized shortcuts.
Users of non-Windows methods are sometimes disturbed or just aesthetically annoyed by acquiring a Windows-specific logo on their keyboard. For this cause, sets of stickers and key-caps are accessible, primarily from online stores, which could be utilized to restyle the Windows keys with the image of Linux mascot Tux, a logo for KDE or perhaps a distinct Linux distribution, or other graphics. Some keyboard producers, like Cherry, also produce keyboards with a Tux essential. Some keyboards now have omitted the correct windows essential and left context menu essential.
Recently, some netbook portable computers Windows 7 X86, for example ASUS Eee Computer and Linux variations of Acer Aspire One are coming having a Residence important rather than a Windows essential, primarily due to the OEM Linux distributions set up on such devices.
See also
Menu key
Command crucial (Apple)
X key (X Window Method)
References
^ Pressing the Ctrl+Esc combination just provides up the Start off Menu. Some Windows key-specific instructions, for example minimizing all windows or displaying the desktop, are not available from this menu.
^ To begin with, 104-key keyboards had been frequently known as "Windows keyboards" but this denomination has become less and much less utilized with time.
^ Amendment for the Windows Key Logo License Agreement (web page no longer available)
^ Windows Vista Hardware Start Button
^
^ How to disable the keyboard Windows key
^ ">
Exterior links
Video demonstration in the Windows Crucial shortcuts in Windows XP
Microsoft keyboard shortcuts
Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts
Windows Vista keyboard shortcuts
Windows XP keyboard shortcuts
Windows 95, 98, Me keyboard shortcuts
Overriding or Disabling Default WinKey Keyboard Shortcuts
IBM/Windows keyboard (US layout)
v  d  e
Esc
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
F7
F8
F9
F10
F11
F12
PrtSc/
SysRq
ScrLk
Pause/
Break
Ins
Home
PgUp
NumLk
/
*
-
Del
End
PgDn
7
8
9
+
4
5
6
1
2
3
Ent
0
.
v  d  e
Keyboard keys
Dead keys
Compose
Modifier keys
Control  Shift  Alt/Option (Apple)  AltGr  Command/Meta (Apple/MIT/Sun keyboards)  Windows  X  Super  Hyper  Fn (compact keyboards)
Lock keys
Scroll lock  Num lock  Caps lock
Navigation
Arrow  Page Up/Page Down  Home/End
Editing
Return/Enter  Backspace  Insert  Delete  Tab  Area bar
Misc.
System request/Print screen  Break/Pause  Escape  Menu  Numeric keypad  Function  Energy management (Energy, Rest, Wake)  Language input  Any key  Macro key
Groups: Pc keysHidden classes: Cleanup from section