Windows key
The Windows key ( also Windows logo key ) is a key on computer keyboards that was introduced by Microsoft with the Windows 95 operating system. It owes its name to the typically located on their Windows logo that is usually performed monochrome. Frequently the symbol on a circular tactile increasing key surface is carried out. When using the keyboard with the Linux operating system, the key is also referred to as super - or meta key; Under OS X it corresponds to the Command button cmd - also known as " apple " key.
- 3.1 Operating System Windows
- 3.2 Other operating systems
History
The introduction of Windows 95 was associated with the transition from the 102-key for 105-key layout. The keyboard layout has been extended to include two Windows keys and a menu button. On most keyboards, the Windows keys found on both sides of each between Ctrl and Alt keys, each on both sides next to and level with the spacebar. By way of derogation from the full 105-key layout exists on some notebook keyboards and newer keyboards for Windows Vista only one Windows key, usually between the left Ctrl and Alt key.
How Windows Linux was originally developed for IBM - compatible PCs and will continue to be used on computers that run with Windows. Their processors are from Intel's x86 processors from ( the AMD ), and in addition to desktop PCs originally used is now also to notebooks and subnotebooks with similar keyboards. In such devices, in English of Linux users, the label is super key used ( while Linux now runs on completely different hardware). Many years before the development of x86 processors and the introduction of the actual Windows key referring super key but put on by Tom Knight at MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory developed keyboards.
Key label
Conformity to standards
The international standard ISO / IEC 9995, " Information technology - Keyboard layouts for text and office systems" allows ( but does not require ) at specific positions one or a total of two "operating system keys" ( "Operating system keys "), whose function expressly exempted the operating system used is. This can, however, explicitly labeled with the structure since 2012 provided in the standard square loop (⌘ ) or with a logo of an operating system. The German standard DIN keyboard 2137 refers in this connection to ISO / IEC 9995th respect, the Windows key as a vendor- specific version of "Operating System " button in their current arrangement and design conform to standards.
Operating System Windows
The Windows key was originally labeled with the Windows logo 3. With the release of Windows XP, a new Windows logo was introduced, shortly thereafter found himself on the new keyboards.
On devices with pre-installed Windows 8 and keyboards offered specifically for such devices is again altered logo to find: .
Other operating systems
Another form of the " operating system " button, for example, the Command ⌘ in computers from Apple. For Linux users, there are also keyboards on which ( as " Super key" designated ) "Windows key" instead of the Windows logo, the Linux mascot Tux is shown. However, this is an all-optical difference dar. The scan code and thus the function of the key in the operating system actually used remain the same.
Function
Operating System Windows
On Windows, to Windows 7, caused a simple keystroke to open the Start menu; a second keystroke closed again this menu and set, depending on the system, the user's input focus back to the previously active application back. Since Windows 8 is opened by a simple push of the button the home page, simply by pressing app will change back to the last used.
Even without this key can base their function, open the Start menu, accessed from the key combination Ctrl Esc. For Windows RT must, in contrast to all other Windows NT versions, be at least one Windows key available.
Keyboard shortcuts cause different actions of the user interface:
- B moves the focus to the first element in the systray.
- D minimizes the entire landscape window to the desktop and back.
- E opens a window of Windows Explorer.
- F opens the search function.
- L locks the computer ( applications continue to run for re-access the input of the password is required).
- M minimizes all windows that have a button on the taskbar and shows the desktop; Windows without taskbar button are so accessible.
- Shift ⇧ M restores all previously minimized windows restore.
- R to open the Run window.
- Break open the " System Properties" window.
- U allows constant access to the Accessibility Options.
- Tab will move you ↹ wander through the taskbar buttons, regardless of the sequence of the last calls.
Additional combinations when Microsoft OneNote is installed:
- N opens a new MS OneNote side note.
- Shift ⇧ N opens MS OneNote.
- S allows you to create a screen clipping ( similar to Windows Snipping Tool), which is transmitted in MS OneNote.
Since Windows Vista, the following key combinations are also possible and changed:
- 0-9 The program at the location on the Quick Launch bar, which corresponds to the figure is executed. In Windows 7, this feature applies to the pinned to the taskbar programs. The digit zero calls it the tenth program, according to their position on the keyboard.
- B Enables the " Show Hidden Icons " button in the taskbar
- T allows constant access to the minimized window taskbar. Each press changes the application. By pressing Enter, the window is selected.
- T The first entry in the taskbar is focused.
- X button to open the Windows Mobility Center, where - depending on the configuration of the computer - can switch to an external monitor, see the battery status, can adjust brightness and volume etc.
- Tab ↹ opens in Windows Vista and 7, a 3D representation of all open applications, through which can be scrolling. This function is also known as " flip 3D" and is only supported with activated aerodynamic surface. In Windows 8, this key combination causes a change between Windows apps.
For Windows 7 more new keyboard shortcuts have been introduced:
- ↑ The active window is maximized.
- ↓ The active window is minimized or restored.
- ← The active window is [NB 1 ] is set to the left of the screen.
- → The active window is [NB 2 ] is set to the right of the screen.
- Shift ⇧ ↑ The active window is the entire screen height increases (width and position are not affected ).
- Shift ⇧ ← The active window is moved to the left monitor.
- Shift ⇧ → The active window is moved to the right monitor.
- Spacebar The contents of the desktop is displayed, as long as you hold down, spacebar, you can let go.
- G operating on the desktop gadgets are brought to the fore.
- P to switch between screen, external monitors or projectors, as well as combinations of these.
- Activates the magnifier and zooms.
- - (With activated magnifier ) Zoom
In Windows 8, the following keyboard shortcuts have been introduced or modified:
- Toggles between Start menu and recently used app.
- C opens the " Charms " menu ( for example, the settings for the current app provides ).
- X opens a type replacement start menu that provides access to system functions.
- Spacebar Change the keyboard layout
Other operating systems
On other operating systems, the Windows key functions, for example as a command key ( Apple Macintosh, for keyboard shortcuts ) and as a Compose key ( a dead key ).
To operate the Openbox window manager for Unix-like operating systems such as Linux keyboard shortcuts in a will ( in a text editor customizable) to XML file on rc.xml -ending names defined, ie a combination of keys are certain " actions " associated. The default is with the Linux distribution Lubuntu (which uses Openbox ) combinations with the Windows key to switch between screen -filling " desktops" is a virtual desktop. The lines