Current Windows key (center) with four equal squares, reflecting theWindows 11 and modern Microsoft logos in use since 2021Windows 8 &10 key with anisosceles trapezoid version of the Windows logoWindows Vista &7 key with a centered logo within an orbWindows XP key with the logo offset to the top left, also features the word "start"Original Windows key used with Windows 95 & 98, with the logo offset to the top left
The addition of two Windows keys and amenu key marked a change from the traditional 101 or 102-key keyboard to a 104- or 105-key layout for PC keyboards.[3] One Windows key was placed between the leftCtrl and the leftAlt and another, along with amenu key, was placed between the rightAlt (orAltGr) and the rightCtrl 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 theStart menu. The key was soon added by virtually all desktop keyboard manufacturers. The firstlaptop to bear the Windows key was theGateway Solo.[4]
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 forWindows 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.
OnWindows 8 tablet computers, hardware-certification requirements initially mandated that the Windows key be centered on thebezel, 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 inWindows 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.[5]
Pressing the key in combination with other keys (i.e., as amodifier key) allows the invocation of many common functions. Holding downCtrl+Esc 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 and the presence of specific software, such asIntelliType, andGroup 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.
⊞ Win+Space bar brings the Windows Sidebar to the front
⊞ Win+G selects nextWindows Sidebar gadget item, bringing all gadgets to the foreground in process. Gadgets were removed in Windows 8. It shows up the Xbox game bar in Windows 10 and 11.
⊞ Win+X invokesWindows Mobility Center. Works only if portable computer features are installed. This key combination is reassigned in Windows 8.
⊞ Win+Ctrl+Tab ↹ is same as above, but Aero Flip 3D remains even when this key combination is released. Arrow keys or mouse may be used to navigate between windows.
⊞ Win+0 through⊞ Win+9 starts the correspondingQuick Launch Bar program.⊞ Win+0 runs the tenth item. Quick Launch is removed in Windows 7 and this key is reassigned.
⊞ Win+Space bar activatesAero Peek. Reassigned in Windows 8.
⊞ Win+P toggles between the devices that receive video card's output. The default is computer monitor only. Other options are video projector only, both showing the same image and both showing a portion of a larger desktop.
⊞ Win+↑ maximizes the active window
⊞ Win+↓ restores the default window size and state of the active window, if maximized. Otherwise, minimizes the active window.
⊞ Win+← or→ to align the window to the corresponding side of the screen, tiled vertically
⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+← or→ to move the window to the next or previous monitor, if multiple monitors are used
⊞ Win+T to iterate through items on the taskbar from left to right
⊞ Win+⇧ Shift+T to iterate through items on the taskbar from right to left
⊞ Win++ to zoom into the screen at the mouse cursor position using the Magnifier Utility
⊞ Win+- to zoom out if the Magnifier Utility is running
⊞ Win+Esc to exit zoom
⊞ Win+1 through⊞ Win+9,⊞ Win+0 to either start or switch to the corresponding program pinned to taskbar.⊞ Win+0 runs the tenth item. Press multiple times to cycle through the application's open windows. Press and release quickly to keep the taskbar's preview open (which allows you to cycle using arrow keys).
⊞ Win+Home minimizes all windows other than the active window. Pressing this combination a second time restores them.
⊞ Win+D minimizes all windows. Pressing the combination a second time restores them.
⊞ Win+C opensthe charms. Reassigned in Windows 10.
⊞ Win+F opens Search charm in file mode to search for computer files. If the Search charm is already open, switches to file search mode.
⊞ Win+W opens Search charm in settings mode to search forControl Panel applets. If the Search charm is already open, switches to settings search mode.
⊞ Win+Q opens Search charm in app mode to search for app shortcuts and executable files. If the search charm is already open, it has no effects.
⊞ Win+H opens the Share charm.
⊞ Win+K opens the Devices charm for printing, connecting to a second screen/projector, or pushing multimedia content via Play To.
⊞ Win+I opens Settings charm, where app-specific settings, network options and shutdown button is located.
⊞ Win+X opens Quick Links menu[8] and grants access to several frequently used features of Windows, such as accessing desktop orFile Explorer.[9] With Windows 8.1 update, it includes a shortcut to shut down or restart the computer.
⊞ Win+Z orright click opens the command bar forMetro-style apps. This bar appears at the bottom of the screen and replaces bothcontext menu andtoolbar in Metro-style apps.
⊞ Win+Tab ↹ invokes the app switcher and changes between Metro-style apps. UnlikeAlt+Tab ↹, the app switcher does not include windows that appear on desktop.
⊞ Win+Space bar changes input method. UnlikeAlt+⇧ Shift, this combination also causes apop-up notification to appear.
⊞ Win+PrtScr or⊞ Win+Volume up instantly saves ascreenshot to the "Screenshots" folder in "Pictures" library. All screenshots are saved asPNG files.[10]
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 theOS key.
X/Wayland (used on Linux and similar) use thekeysym "Super"[20] for the Windows key(s), and toggles theMOD4shift bit. Most Unix desktop environments use it much like Windows, withSuper activating a primary menu similar to the WindowsStart 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 isnot 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 amacOS computer, the Windows key acts as the⌘ Command. AsAlt orAltGr acts as⌥ Option, 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 runningChromeOS, the Windows key acts as theSearch key. A standard ChromeOS keyboard has this key in the location where Caps Lock usually is.
If one plugs a Windows keyboard into anXbox 360, pressing the Windows key performs the same action as the Guide button onXbox 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 aninstant message conversation is in progress. On anXbox One orXbox Series S/X, pressing the Windows key performs the same action as pressing the Xbox button on the controller.
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.[21] With the introduction of Windows Vista, Microsoft published guidelines for a new Windows Logo key that incorporated the Windows logo recessed in achamfered lowered circle with a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with respect to its background.[22]
In theCommon Building Block Keyboard Specification, all CBB compliant keyboards were to comply with the Windows Vista Hardware Start Button specification beginning on 1 June 2007.[citation needed]
