Pretty much in the title, the only time I interact with the windows key in its standard operating condition is getting pissed off that the start menu opened. I use it in other capacities such as taking screen shots and other key commands but I got to wondering if anyone, ever actually uses it to access the start menu.
Also if anyone comes here and posts “dOnT uSe wINdoWs,” you really are cute.
Edit: I am more curious if anyone actually gets utility out of its default behavior (opening the start menu). I am aware that it is used in a number of key commands (although some are new to me).
I actually remove the windows UI button from the taskbar because I only use the keyboard button to pull it up
I have 3 main use cases for the Windows key:
- Bring up the start menu and immediately type “cmd” + Enter to bring up a command prompt
- Windows + L to lock the computer when I step away
- Windows + arrow keys to move windows around on the screen and “dock” them to the sides of the screen (although this hasn’t been consistently working for me more recently)
I don’t think I ever use it for anything else. So yes, I do use it to bring up the start menu, but generally only to specifically bring up a command prompt window - all of my other commonly used programs are pinned to the taskbar so I can fire them up with a single click.
All the time. It’s basically the only way I open the Start menu. And I use Windows key shortcuts like Win+Alt+K really often.
Start menu is helpful to execute programs quickly as many others have stated previously. Other useful thing with the start menu is that it automatically makes a fullscreen application lose focus. So I can just use the windows key to focus out of a fullscreen app and click on something else on the other monitor.
Constantly.
Open shit on the taskbar.
Win + E for file explorer.
Win key and type stuff for a few programs I don’t want to have icons for.
One of the best keys!
I use it as an additional modifier key, Super. I bind stuff to its modified keys in my window manager, but also emacs intercepts them before the window manager and I have some bindings that do more or less the same thing in both emacs and my window manager. The operating system has no “intentions” for how I am meant to use the Super key but this usage is within what the designers anticipated for certain.
I use a “normal” keyboard with a MacBook. I’ve rebound LAlt to be CMD and the Win key to be Option (to better mimic the MacBook keyboard). So theoretically I am using the Win key A LOT, just not for the intended usage.
I have removed the key cap on my home keyboard. It’s still possible to press but you won’t accidentally fumble it when you hit ctl or alt.
I’m on Linux. But yeah I use it to open the start menu all the time. Then I can type apps name and hit enter
As others have said, I use it mainly for the search function to start programs as well as many shortcuts. I’ve seen others mention screenshots and locking, but here are a few more:
- Win+. - Opens the special symbols/emoji windows
- Win+ left or right arrow - Snaps a window to the left or right half of the screen, respectively. Up arrow maximizes, down minimizes.
- Win+r - Opens the run dialog
- Win+v - Opens clipboard history (history is off by default, it will ask you to enable it the first time you use the shortcut)
- Win+x - Opens the ‘quick link’ menu (Power Options, Event Viewer, System, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, Computer Management, and Command Prompts
- As a bonus, my favorite windows shortcut is Ctrl+Win+Alt+Shift+L, which opens linkedin in in a new browser tab.
A full list can be found here: windows key shortcuts
Windows E opens windows Explorer, I used that all the time for work, I use the keyboard more than the mouse.
The one I use most is windows+shift+s for the snipping tool!
It is my modifier key for any window management keybind. Using alt or control might overlap with other apps or games. For example, I do super+r to open my app launcher or super+w to close a window. It does not do anything on its own.
I had mostly the same keybinds when I used windows. Ofc I can’t remember how I did them as it was a long time ago.
Win + L to lock
Win + D to minimise all windows
Win + arrow key to snap window to half a screen
Win +shift+s to get snapshots
Win +r to get to run command, generally for opening applications in safe mode
Win to quickly start search for apps or settings
I use it all the time in Linux and even when I unfortunately have to use Windows. Launching an app from just the keyboard is useful. And, like you said, as the modifier key for a number of shortcuts I use a lot.
I use it on my laptop running a Debian based distro with KDE because I like how I can open the start menu thing. But for some reason I don’t do it on my desktop.
I hit the windows key, type and hit enter to open programs a lot. I literally have no desktop icons showing, I don’t like the look and taking my hands off the keyboard to click stuff takes longer anyways.
I also do windows + number to open/switch to pinned programs a lot.
