Keyboard shortcuts with Windows Logo

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

Microsoft Natural Keyboard with IntelliType Software Installed

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.

The implementation in Activity and Authentication Analyzer

In order to see the state of above-mention policy or to manipulate it in Activity and Authentication Analyzer click in the left pane next item:

Computer Administration and find in the list item corresponding to the policy named: "Disable Windows Hotkeys".