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what is this key called? :-)

X

Xtremist

Golden Member
Hey all,

I know I may get stoned for it, but I really need to know this and haven't been lucky in my search yet :-( On the "new" style of keyboards that are designed for Windows 95+, they have those new keys next to Ctrl and Alt. I refer to the one that is on both the left and right side of the keyboard (the ones with the Windows logo) the "Windows Key". The one I need a good, hopefully official name for is the one just to the left of the right Ctrl (if that made sense 🙂). It's the key that is just like right-clicking in a window... Does anyone know what this is called or could point me in the right direction? Thanx a ton!

Found a document that explains all this...

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q126/4/49.asp
 
Menu Key... Yeah, I think that's a pretty good descriptor. Wish I could just find a document somewhere that's like official, but I think that's a good enough title 😉 Thanx!
 
Yes... That is why in my original post I said, "It's the key that is just like right-clicking in a window..."

Only it's not like right clicking an icon unless the icon is selected. If the desktop is selected (like clicking on an empty spot of the desktop) it would bring up the options like properties, active desktop, etc... Inside MS Word for example it would bring up the copy, paste, cut, etc... list. Anyway, cheers!
 
isn't there a key combination that equals the windows key. I like the feature of windows key + e= windows explorer, nut I don't want to replace my sturdy IBM Keyboard from 1984.
 
Wow, not that DOES sound technical 😉 As for the shortcut for Windows key, I don't know 🙁 Tried the Ctrl+Esc thing, but that doesn't work... Never knew Alt+Esc switched apps either 😀
 
Yep

windows key + r = run
windows key + f = file find
windows key + m = minimize/undo minimize
windows key + break (pause) = system properties
windows key + e = explorer

and a few other slightly less notable ones
 
In my MS intellitype software, it refers to that key as an "application key".

From the help file:

"Using the Application key

The (Application) key provides you with a shortcut menu specific to the program that you are using.

To use the key from the Windows desktop

1 Press the key. Pressing this key from the desktop gives you the same shortcut menu as right-clicking the desktop.
2 Select the option that you want to use.

To use the key within an open program

1 Start a program, and then press the key. Pressing this key with an open program in focus usually gives you the same shortcut menu as right-clicking in the program window.
2 Select the option that you want to use.

Note

Some uses of your keyboard, such as playing computer games that require a variety of keyboard actions, may be interrupted if you inadvertently press the key. If you prefer, you may choose to disable this key."
 
CalebTG,

I think what creedog was asking was if there's a combo to replace the Windows Key... Not what the common key combo's are. So like instead of Windows + R = Run it'd be *key combo that functions like Windows Key, but is available on older keyboards too) + R = Run 😀

But thanx Wingznut PEZ for that explanation. I wanted to add reference to it in a project I'm working on, only it needs to be as official as possible... So from here on out it'll be called the Application Key 🙂 Cheers all!
 
I heard people calling it "Start" key too. Because all it really does is click start for ya.
 
I called it the Start Key at first, but it only makes sense to people who have actually used it before. Even if you read somewhere that Windows/Start + E opens Windows Explorer, you might not have just pressed the key to see if it does anything. And when I try and tell people over the phone, they tend to find the "key that has the Windows logo" on it a lot easier than the "key that opens the start menu". That's my experience with that key at least... Cheers!
 
thorin,

The only problem with that is that you can't do the combo's like Windows + E or R or all the others with Ctrl + Esc. It only works as a Start Menu activator 😉
 
Anyone know of a good hotkey/emulator that I could use to assign another key or key the same action and the windows key
 
"The only problem with that is that you can't do the combo's like Windows + E or R or all the others with Ctrl + Esc. It only works as a Start Menu activator"

Actually that's only partly true. You can ctrl-esc to activate the startmenu then hit R for run. If you type the first letter of anything in the startmenu and that object with launch or display (or be selected if multiple item exist with the same first letter...then you can type that letter repeatedly and hit enter once the one you want is selected).

Thorin
 
I'd say nearly true rather than partly 😉 The Run command is the only one that comes close to being a quick combo like the Windows + Key is designed to provide. And even then, it's a series of key presses rather than a key combonation... perhaps an "Extended Key Combo" 🙂 But I still stick by my statement, especially that Ctrl + Esc is just a Start Menu activator 😀
 
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