Windows key

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Current Windows key (center) with four equal squares, reflecting the Windows 11 and modern Microsoft logos in use since 2021.
Windows 8 & 10 key with an isosceles trapezoid version of the Windows logo.
Windows Vista & 7 key with a centered logo within an orb. Windows XP used a similar logo without the orb and offset to the top left.
Original Windows key used with Windows 95 & 98, with the logo offset to the top left.

The Windows key (also known as the win, start, logo, flag or super<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> key) is a computer keyboard key originally introduced on Microsoft's Natural Keyboard in 1994. On Windows 95, it was used to open the start menu, and subsequently became standard on PC keyboards. In Microsoft Windows, Template:Keypress performs the same function, for keyboards which lack the key.

History and usage

The Windows key was introduced with Microsoft's Natural Keyboard in 1994.<ref name="MNK NYT">Template:Cite news</ref> The key was predated by the Template:Key top key on Apple computers in the 1980s, and before that by the Template:Key (or Template:Key) key on Lisp/Unix workstation computers in the 1970s.

The addition of two Windows keys and a menu key marked a change from the traditional 101 or 102-key keyboard to a 104- or 105-key layout for PC keyboards.<ref>Initially, 104-key keyboards were frequently called "Windows keyboards" but this denomination has become less and less used with time.</ref> One Windows key was placed between the left Template:Keypress and the left Template:Keypress and another, along with a menu key, was placed between the right Template:Keypress (or Template:Keypress) and the right Template:Keypress key.

Windows 95 required the key to be on a keyboard to qualify for the addition of the "Designed for Windows" logo, and used it to open the Start menu. The key was soon added by virtually all desktop keyboard manufacturers. The first laptop to bear the Windows key was the Gateway Solo.<ref name="pcweek">Template:Cite journal</ref>

In laptops and other compact keyboards, it is common to have just one Windows key (usually on the left side). 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 rests. Some keyboards during the Windows Vista and Windows 7 eras featured a circular bump surrounding the logo, distinguishing it tactility.

On Windows 8 tablet computers, hardware-certification requirements initially mandated that the Windows key be centered on the bezel, below the screen, except on a convertible laptop, where the button was allowed to be off-center in a tablet configuration. This requirement was relaxed in Windows 8.1, allowing the Windows key to be placed on any bezel or edge of the unit, though a central location along the bottom bezel was still preferred.<ref name="ms-whcr2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Licensing

Microsoft regulates the appearance of the Windows key logo with a specially crafted license for keyboard manufacturers. With the introduction of a new Windows logo with Windows XP, the agreement was updated to require that the new design be adopted for all keyboards manufactured after 1 September 2003.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With the introduction of Windows Vista, Microsoft published guidelines for a new Windows Logo key that incorporated the Windows logo recessed in a chamfered lowered circle with a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with respect to its background.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 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.Template:Citation needed

The Unicode character Template:Unichar() resembles the look of the key, Template:As of

Use within Windows

From Windows 95 to Windows 7, tapping the Windows key by itself traditionally revealed the Windows Taskbar (if hidden) and opened the Start menu. In Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, the key launches the Start screen but does not show the taskbar. However, this feature was added back in Windows 10.

Pressing the key in combination with other keys (i.e., as a modifier key) allows the invocation of many common functions. Holding down Template:Keypress is not a substitute for the Windows key itself in these combinations. Which Windows key combinations ("shortcuts") are available and active in a given session depends on many factors, such as active accessibility options, the type of the session (regular or Terminal Services), the Windows version, the presence of specific software, such as IntelliType, and Group Policy, if applicable.

Below is a list of native shortcuts. The list is cumulative: unless otherwise noted, they were carried through to subsequent version of the operating system.

Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0

The following shortcuts are valid in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Windows 2000

Windows 2000 introduced the following:

Windows XP

Windows XP introduced the following:

Windows XP Media Center Edition

Windows XP Media Center Edition introduced:

Windows Vista

Windows Vista introduced the following:

Windows 7

Windows 7 introduced the following:

Windows 8

Windows 8 introduced the following:

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 introduced the following:

Windows 10

Windows 10 introduced the following:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Windows 11

Windows 11 introduced the following:

Microsoft Office

Various Microsoft Office applications introduced the following:

Using aftermarket scripts, users can also create custom shortcuts.

Use with other operating systems

The Windows key can also be used on other operating systems, though it usually carries a different name in them. Some cross-platform applications refer to the key as the OS key.

X/Wayland (used on Linux and similar) use the keysym "Super"<ref>on earlier versions of Linux "Meta" was often used</ref> for the Windows key(s), and toggles the MOD4 shift bit. Most Unix desktop environments use it much like Windows, with Template:Keypress activating a primary menu similar to the Windows Start menu, and in combination with character keys performing actions such as run-command, often with the shortcuts and actions the same as Windows for familiarity. A common action that is not shared with Windows is for the Super key to allow dragging a window around from any location without raising it.

If one plugs a Windows keyboard into a macOS computer, the Windows key acts as the [[Command key|Template:Keypress]]. As [[Alt key|Template:Keypress]] or Template:Keypress acts as [[Option key|Template:Keypress]], the physical locations of the keys that act as Command and Option are swapped. Plugging a Macintosh keyboard into a Windows (or Linux) machine does the reverse mapping and thus also swaps the Windows and Alt key locations.

If one plugs a Windows keyboard into a computer running ChromeOS, the Windows key acts as the [[Search key|Template:Keypress]] key. A standard ChromeOS keyboard has this key in the location where Caps Lock usually is.

If one plugs a Windows keyboard into an Xbox 360, pressing the Windows key performs the same action as the Guide button on Xbox 360 Controller or remote controls, opening the Xbox Guide. Holding down the Windows key and pressing M opens a pop up conversation window over gameplay, if an instant message conversation is in progress. On an Xbox One or Xbox Series S/X, pressing the Windows key performs the same action as pressing the Xbox button on the controller.

On a PlayStation 3 console, pressing the Windows key performs the same action as the PS Button on the Sixaxis and DualShock 3, opening the XrossMediaBar.

References

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Template:Keyboard Template:Keyboard keys Template:Microsoft Windows components Template:Use dmy dates

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