this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2024
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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).

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[–] jerkface@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] Ansis100@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] nichtburningturtle@feddit.org 1 points 1 month ago

the super key is one of my most used keys.

[–] argarath@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

I actually use it to open the start menu for a few reasons. Usually I do it to the press tab and the down arrow 5 times then enter twice, why? Because that puts your selector thingy on the sleep option as my keyboard doesn't have a sleep key. The other reason is I can just start typing some program's name and launch it without using my mouse. I don't do it all the time since most programs I need to use the mouse to keep using anyway, but sometimes I just want a calculator or notepad++ and the search function works well enough for those

[–] indomara@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Yes, I definitely do. I use it to open start menu and search, as well as using quite a few commands, run, snipping tool, moving and resizing windows, etc.

When win10 is no longer supported we will be making the leap to linux, and I really hope I can get much of this functionality there.

[–] Figbash33@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

I use it EVERY day at work. I use the Windows key + L to lock my screen when I walk away from my computer. I work in IT and setup new computers for new employees and I access the software from a server that I access through Windows Key + R. I could use GUI clicks to do both things, but this is the absolute quickest.

[–] Smoogs@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Hot key Moving a game from monitor to monitor is pretty much impossible otherwise I thought.

[–] ShadowRam@fedia.io 1 points 1 month ago

Only if my window has gone missing and I need to winkey + arrow keys it somewhere to get it back.

Other than that, no.

I mean early days, most of us pulled it off or disabled it so we wouldn't hit it by accident while playing FPS games.

[–] solidgrue@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Not here. I don't use Windows and so I rebind the Win key (or, Super) for some quick functions.

Win + L to lock the screen
Win + K to blank it
Win + C for my calculator app
Win + T (and Ctrl+Shift+T) for a Terminal
Win + Left/Right arrow to cycle to the previous/next desktop

Bonus fun, I rebind the Right Alt key to a Compose key for typing Latin-1 diacritics in non UTF-8 applications. (Plus, I can't remember the U-codes)

[–] Toes@ani.social 1 points 1 month ago

I use it with the arrow keys fairly often to snap apps to sections of the screen.

Some terrible keyboards put it where alt should be and those should be burned.

[–] 108@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

All the time. For shortcuts and opening programs.

[–] jaxxed@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

In most linux tiling managers it is used with directional keys to nav windows and desktops.

[–] zxqwas@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] InSamsara@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

The only time I used it is when I wanted to bring up emoji easier without copy and pasting them from a website. Otherwise I prefer to just navigate to whatever I need to open manually because I can't bother remembering all of the shortcuts. Since then I've changed the OS.

nope, never. not even on windows boxes

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 0 points 1 month ago

I'll use it if alt tab isn't working to get me to another open program. But that's pretty much it.

I also have my most used programs pinned to the task bar. And that bar is vertical, thank you.

[–] ricdeh@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Hey buddy, do you want to try some of this GNU/Linux?

[–] Donebrach@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

You really are cute.

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