Windows key

The Windows key or Windows logo key (in short WinKey, or rarely Flag key) is a keyboard key expressly introduced for Windows 95 and later operating systems.

Historically, the addition of two Windows keys and a context menu key led to the change from the 101-key to the 104-key layout of PC keyboards.104-key keyboards were then also called "Windows keyboards" but this denomination has become less and less frequent with time. With respect to the 101-key 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 and the right control. In laptop and other compact keyboards it is common to have just one Windows key (usually on the left).

Licensing issues

Microsoft regulates the appearance of the Windows key, by means of 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.Cf. Amendment to the Windows Key Logo License Agreement

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.

Overriding or Disabling Default Windows Usage (WinKey Keyboard Shortcuts)

With Windows 2000 and above (Windows XP, Windows XP Media Center Edition), there are several built-in keyboard shortcuts, such as WinKey + D to show a clean desktop and WinKey + R to show the "Run..." dialog from the Start menu. These default shortcuts can be disabled (with the exception of WinKey + L and WinKey + U) and be replaced with custom functions using popular freeware programs such as WinKey from Copernic Technologies or AutoHotKey based on the AutoIt script language.

It is also possible to disable the WinKeys entirely by modifying the Windows Registry. The WinKeys are powerful enough to take the focus away from an application, yet are often placed directly adjacent to commonly used modifier keys, making it easy to hit them inadvertently. While in some applications this behavior is merely distracting or annoying, in others (such as real-time games) it can be devastating. Some people find the placement of the WinKeys so unfortunate and simply pry the keys from the keyboard altogether.

Usage with other operating systems

The Windows key can also generally be used under different operating systems. Desktop environments such as KDE and GNOME for GNU/Linux support it, usually calling it the super key, though it may be necessary to configure its functionalities after installation.

It is often used as the Meta key or Compose key in Unix and Unix alike operating systems.

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 said key.

Alternative designs

Traditionally, many Linux users have felt frustrated at having a Windows-specific logo on their keyboard. Thus, stickers and keycap sets are available on the Internet which can be applied on the Windows key, to restyle it with a Tux—the Linux mascot—image, a KDE logo or others.

Some keyboard manufacturers also produce keyboards that directly feature a "Tux key".