Ctrl+Alt+Del Annoyance

[Rand Marks]

Hi,

I am a veteran XP user who has recently (and grudgingly) switched to 7. One of the myriad annoyances that I have encountered in this inflated version of Windows is the welcome screen that appears when I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, patronizingly presenting me with the option to lock my computer, switch user, log off, change my password, or run the Task Manager, rather than directly running the Task Manager like it’s supposed to do. I am aware of Ctrl+Shit+Esc and programs like AutoHotkey, but I don’t want to replace Ctrl+Alt+Del, and I shouldn’t have to. Is it possible to make this hotkey run the Task Manager directly without displaying that loathsome option screen?

Rand Marks

 

[logicearth]

No. Learn to use CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to launch Task Manager, this is the real hot key for it, even in Windows XP. CTRL + ALT + DELETE is a special key command that is not capable of being captured except for Windows itself. What you go used to was a default configuration setting in consumer versions of Windows XP, that "loathsome option screen" is what is opened on Windows NT.

 

[Kari]

As Logiearth told you above, the correct keyboard shortcut both on XP and Seven to open Task Manager is CTRL + SHIFT + ESC, not CTRL + ALT + DEL as you mention.

If you press CTRL + ALT + DEL on XP you get this:



It's the same you get with that keyboard shortcut on Seven, only graphical layout is different:



Kari

 

[Rand Marks]

not CTRL + SHIFT + DEL as you mention.

Hi,

I never mentioned that key combination. Please re-read my post.

 

[Kari]

Sorry, it's a typo from my side. I of course meant CTRL + ALT + DEL, not CTRL + SHIFT + DEL.

My typo fixed, post is now correct. You, however, are still wrong.

Kari

 

[Rand Marks]

You, however, are still wrong.

Hi,

In the 11 years that I have used Windows XP (Home, Professional, SP1-SP3, what have you), Ctrl+Alt+Del has always run the Task Manager directly without displaying any such screen as in your image. Please check your facts before posting ill-informed statements.

 

[Kari]

The default action for CTRL + ALT + DEL on Windows XP is as told in Logiearth's and my posts. The default action for CTRL + SHIFT + ESC is to open Task Manager.

It's true that on XP if the Fast User Switching is enabled also the shortcut CTRL + ALT + DEL opens Task Manager. However, this is not default action for said keyboard shortcut and must be separately enabled (Control-Alt-Delete - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

So, as mentioned, the default shortcut to open Task Manager on all Windows versions since Windows 2000 is CTRL + SHIFT + ESC.

With your Windows experience it should not be too hard to learn to use the default shortcut, although different than on XP?

Kari

 

[oreo27]

And unfortunately for you, there is no known way of changing that behavior apart from Autohotkey.

 

[boohbah]

you could start task manager and whilst it is open, right click the task manager icon on the taskbar and select pin to taskbar. no need for shortcuts or hotkeys default or otherwise.

 

[Kari]

Boohbah's idea is a good one. I use two mouse clicks: right click Taskbar for context menu, left click Task Manager to open it.

Kari

 

[Rand Marks]

The default action for CTRL + ALT + DEL on Windows XP is as told in Logiearth's and my posts.

Hi,

This can’t be so. I have installed Windows XP more than 100 times, and after every fresh installation, before any personal configurations or customizations, Ctrl+Alt+Del simply ran the Task Manager, nothing else.

With your Windows experience it should not be too hard to learn to use the default shortcut, although different than on XP?

I’m too stubborn. I am a creature of habit, and I have grown permanently accustomed to Ctrl+Alt+Del and its true default function: running the Windows Task Manager.

you could start task manager and whilst it is open, right click the task manager icon on the taskbar and select pin to taskbar. no need for shortcuts or hotkeys default or otherwise.

Hi,

Yes, that is a good mouse shortcut. I have an AutoHotkey hotkey (or hotclick?) that runs the Task Manager by right and left clicking at the same time while the mouse is over TrayClockWClass1 (the clock on the taskbar). That is not sufficient, however, because when I am in "keyboard mode", it is too inconvenient to switch to "mouse mode" for one simple task. I guess I’ll just have to settle with my custom Ctrl+LWin+Del and Ctrl+Shift+Del hotkeys. Oh, how I will miss you, Ctrl+Alt+Del!

 

[Abouscent1961]

Learning CTRL + SHIFT + ESC instead of CTRL + ALT + DEL has its benefits anyways. If you attempt to get to the Task Manager via CTRL + ALT + DEL within a virtual Windows installation (such as on a Mac), nothing will happen at all since, as logicearth correctly stated, CTRL + ALT + DEL can only be captured by Windows itself.

 

[logicearth]

This can’t be so. I have installed Windows XP more than 100 times, and after every fresh installation, before any personal configurations or customizations, Ctrl+Alt+Del simply ran the Task Manager, nothing else.

You've only used the consumer version of Windows XP and the default configuration based on those consumer versions. Besides, CTRL + SHIFT + ESC can be done with a single hand so much easier. Comfortable using the shortcut, thumb presses both SHIFT and CTRL while a finger extends and presses ESC, fits well when you keep your hands at standard typing placements.

 

[Rand Marks]

This can’t be so. I have installed Windows XP more than 100 times, and after every fresh installation, before any personal configurations or customizations, Ctrl+Alt+Del simply ran the Task Manager, nothing else.

You've only used the consumer version of Windows XP and the default configuration based on those consumer versions. Besides, CTRL + SHIFT + ESC can be done with a single hand so much easier. Comfortable using the shortcut, thumb presses both SHIFT and CTRL while a finger extends and presses ESC, fits well when you keep your hands at standard typing placements.

Hi, logicearth,

The hand technique works well, but I refuse to allow myself to get used to such an unfamiliar practice. I’ll just stick with Ctrl+LWin+Del. It’s close enough, I suppose.

 

[logicearth]

...You should honestly get yourself used to it. Its the only keyboard shortcut in Windows NT that opens the Task Manager.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

Seriously, I don't see the point for being stubborn for Task Manager shortcut when half of the Control Panel options are in different places and you have to learn them all as well or you'll be worthless as techsupport.

 

[Rand Marks]

Hi, guys,

I can’t say I understand the problem. Why should I use Ctrl+Shit+Esc if I am more comfortable with Ctrl+LWin+Del? :huh:

 

[rusty post]

 

[bobafetthotmail]

besides, what is the LWIN key you talk about? is the one between left ctrl and alt? Ctrl+that key+Del does not open task manager on my machine, ctrl+shift+esc does.

 

[Rand Marks]

besides, what is the LWIN key you talk about? is the one between left ctrl and alt? Ctrl+that key+Del does not open task manager on my machine, ctrl+shift+esc does.

LWin = left Windows key

It’s an AutoHotkey hotkey.