Microsoft corporation simultaneously with software developement confidently designs and sells the computer accessories, like mice and keyboards, and pushes with them the standards, which it embeds to the own operating system Windows.
The article tells about the key with the Windows logotype - "Windows Logo". It is located left-hand between the "Ctrl" and "Alt" keys and duplicated right-hand of spacebar and right "Alt".
To be brief, I give two tables with hotkeys combinations with Windows Logo key. The description terminology will be simplified at maximum. The first table contains the shortcut keys list with so-called "Microsoft Natural Keyboard", the second one contains the additional hotkeys list, which are accessible with installed "IntelliType Software". I note, that these lists are not complete and may vary depending on the Windows version. If the given shortcut key is supported in Windows CE operating system, the appropriate remark will be given.
Microsoft Natural Keyboard keys
| Keys combination |
Description |
| Windows Logo | Taskbar activation, setting the focus on "Start" button and setting "Start" button to the pressed state. |
| Windows Logo+F1 | Browser dialog box opening with Help Topics for the main Windows Help file. |
| Windows Logo+TAB | Activation of the next running application on the Taskbar. Cycle through taskbar applications on the Taskbar. |
| CTRL+Windows Logo+TAB | Focus movement from "Start" button, to the "Quick Launch" toolbar and the "System tray"! After the focus entered the "Quick Launch" toolbar or the "System tray" one can use the "Right Arrow" or "Left Arrow" cursor keys to switch among the icons of the located there applications. This is rare option to gain the access to the applications located on the System tray with help of the only keyboard. |
| Windows Logo+E | Launch of the "Windows Explorer" in "Explore My Computer" mode. Supported in Windows CE. |
| Windows Logo+R | "Run" dialog box opening. There is the support in the Windows CE. |
| Windows Logo+F | Start of the "Find files or folders" dialog box opening. |
| Windows Logo+CTRL+F | Start of the "Find computer" dialog box opening. |
| Windows Logo+M | All open windows minimization. Supported in Windows CE. |
| SHIFT+Windows Logo+M | Undo all open windows minimization. |
| Windows Logo+D | All open windows minimization. In distinction with "Windows Logo+M" command this hotkey minimizes also the dialog boxes. This shortcut key is equivalent the "Show Desktop" command. |
| Windows Logo+BREAK | Activation of the "System Properties" dialog box activation ("Control Panel" applet which stands for the system settings). |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard with IntelliType Software Installed
| Keys combination |
Description |
| Windows Logo+L | Log off Windows |
| Windows Logo+P | "Print Manager" launch. |
| Windows Logo+C | "Control Panel" opening. Supported in Windows CE. |
| Windows Logo+V | Start of the Clipboard viewer. |
| Windows Logo+K | "Keyboard Properties" dialog box opening. Supported in Windows CE. |
| Windows Logo+I | "Mouse Properties" dialog box opening. There is the support in the Windows CE. |
| Windows Logo+A | Start of the "Accessibility Options" dialog box, if installed. |
| Windows Logo+SPACEBAR | Display of the list of "Microsoft IntelliType" shortcut keys. Supported in Windows CE. |
| Windows Logo+S | Toggle "CAPS LOCK" state. |
Windows Logo hotkeys disabling
In the end of the article I describe not documented system policy, disabling the use of Windows shortcuts, which is valid in Windows 9.x, Millenium, 2000 and XP.This system policy blocks the "Windows Logo" processing in shortcut keys. However, after this policy is enabled, the single "Windows Logo" keystroke, which calls the "Start" menu, will be processed. It is necessary to emphasize, that when this policy is enabled, the "Windows Logo" keystroke in shortcuts key combination will be ignored, other keystrokes will be processed as usual.
To enable the policy the DWORD-type parameter "NoWinKeys" must be created in following system registry branch: "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" and its value must be set to 1. Putting "NoWinKeys" parameter to 0 or its absence disables the policy.
This parameter can be stored either in the hive HKEY_CURRENT_USER, or in the hive HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and have the appliance scope either on the entire "Computer" (Local Machine), or on "Current User" respectively.
The policy having Computer scope, stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive of the system registry has priority over the policy stored in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive and having the "Current User" scope.
Valient Newman
This was realised in Activity and Authentication Analyzer
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