Control-Alt-Delete

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A QWERTY keyboard layout with the position of Control, Alt and Delete keys highlighted Three-finger salute.svg
A QWERTY keyboard layout with the position of Control, Alt and Delete keys highlighted

Control-Alt-Delete (often abbreviated to Ctrl+Alt+Del and sometimes called the "three-finger salute" or "Security Keys") [1] [2] is a computer keyboard command on IBM PC compatible computers, invoked by pressing the Delete key while holding the Control and Alt keys: Ctrl+Alt+Delete. The function of the key combination differs depending on the context but it generally interrupts or facilitates interrupting a function. For instance, in pre-boot environment (before an operating system starts) [3] [4] [5] or in MS-DOS, Windows 3.0 and earlier versions of Windows or OS/2, the key combination reboots the computer. Starting with Windows 95, the key combination invokes a task manager or security related component that facilitates ending a Windows session or killing a frozen application.

Contents

History

Original IBM PC 5150 keyboard: It is impossible to press Ctrl+Alt+Del with one hand only IBM 5150 Keyboard.jpg
Original IBM PC 5150 keyboard: It is impossible to press Ctrl+Alt+Del with one hand only

The soft reboot function via keyboard was originally designed by David Bradley. [6] [7] Bradley, as the chief engineer of the IBM PC project and developer of the machine's ROM-BIOS, had originally used Ctrl + Alt + Esc , [8] but found it was too easy to bump the left side of the keyboard and reboot the computer accidentally. According to his own account, Mel Hallerman, who was the chief programmer of the project, therefore suggested switching the key combination to Ctrl + Alt + Del as a safety measure, a combination impossible to press with just one hand on the original IBM PC keyboard. [9] [10] [11]

The feature was originally conceived only as a development feature for internal use and not intended to be used by end users, as it triggered the reboot without warning or further confirmation—it was meant to be used by people writing programs or documentation so that they could reboot their computers without powering them down. Bill Gates (former Microsoft CEO) remembered it as "just something we were using in development and it wouldn't be available elsewhere". [12] The feature, however, was detailed in IBM's technical reference documentation [3] to the original PC and thereby revealed to the general public. [9]

Bradley viewed this work as just one small task out of many: "It was five minutes, 10 minutes of activity, and then I moved on to the next of the 100 things that needed to get done." [7] In a March 2018 email, one of Bradley's co-workers confirmed the command was invented in 1981 in Boca Raton, Florida. [13]

Bradley is also known for his good-natured jab at Gates at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the IBM PC on August 8, 2001 at The Tech Museum: "I have to share the credit. I may have invented it, but I think Bill made it famous."; he quickly added it was a reference to Windows NT logon procedures ("Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to log on"). [14] [10]

During a question and answer presentation on 21 September 2013, Gates said "it was a mistake", referring to the decision to use Ctrl+Alt+Del as the keyboard combination to log into Windows. Gates stated he would have preferred a single button to trigger the same actions, but could not get IBM to add the extra button into the keyboard layout. [8]

BIOS

By default, when the operating system is running in real mode (or in a pre-boot environment, when no operating system is started yet), this keystroke combination is intercepted by the BIOS. [3] [4] [5] [15] [16] The BIOS reacts by performing a soft reboot (also known as a warm reboot). [3] [4] [5] [16] Examples of such operating systems include DOS, Windows 3.0 in Standard Mode as well as earlier versions of Windows. [8]

Windows

DOS-based Windows

Close Program dialog box, seen in Windows 9x Win98 Close Program Dialog.PNG
Close Program dialog box, seen in Windows 9x

In Windows 9x and Windows 3.0 running in 386 Enhanced mode, [8] the keystroke combination is recognized by the Windows keyboard device driver. According to the value of the LocalReboot option in the [386Enh] section of system.ini, Windows performs one of several actions in response. If LocalReboot=On (default):

If LocalReboot=Off, Windows performs a soft reboot. [17] [20]

Windows NT family

The Windows Security screen in Windows 11 provides various security-related options. Windows Security screen in Windows 11.png
The Windows Security screen in Windows 11 provides various security-related options.
Windows 11 secure attention screen Windows 11 pre-login.png
Windows 11 secure attention screen
The UAC for Windows 11, where the user is required to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete first to enter credentials, as a part of avoiding login spoofing. Ctrl-Alt-Del for accessing secure desktop to enter credentials.png
The UAC for Windows 11, where the user is required to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete first to enter credentials, as a part of avoiding login spoofing.

The Windows NT family of operating system, whose members do not have "NT" in their names since Windows 2000, reserve Ctrl+Alt+Delete for the operating system itself. Winlogon, a core component of the operating system, [21] responds to the key combination in the following scenarios:

Invoking Windows Security
When a user is logged onto a Windows computer, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete invokes Windows Security. It is a graphical user interface that allows user to lock the system, [lower-alpha 1] switch user, log off, change the password, invoke Windows Task Manager, or end the Windows session by shutting down, rebooting or putting the computer into sleep or hibernation; clicking "Cancel" or pressing the Escape key returns the user to where they were.
The key combination always invokes Windows Security in all versions and editions of Windows NT family except Windows XP. (See below.) Prior to Windows Vista, Windows Security was a dialog box, did not allow user switching and showed the logon date and time, name of user account into which the user has logged on and the computer name. Starting with Windows Vista, Windows Security became full-screen.
Secure attention
Login spoofing is a social engineering trick in which a malicious computer program with the appearance of a Windows login dialog box prompts for user's account name and password to steal them. To thwart this attack, Windows NT implements an optional security measure in which Ctrl+Alt+Delete acts as a secure attention key combination. Once the protection is activated, Windows requires the user to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete each time before logging on or unlocking the computer. Since the key combination is intercepted by Windows itself and malicious software cannot mimic this behavior, [lower-alpha 2] the trick is thwarted. [22] Unless the Windows computer is part of a Windows domain network, the secure attention protection is disabled by default and must be enabled by the user. [23] [24]
Windows XP behavior
Windows XP introduces Welcome Screen, a redesigned logon interface. The Welcome Screen of Windows XP, however, does not support the secure attention scenario. [24] It may be disabled in favor of the classic plain logon screen, either explicitly by the user or as a consequence of the Windows XP computer becoming part of a Windows domain network. [25] With that in mind, Windows XP uses the Ctrl+Alt+Delete in the following unique scenarios:
  1. At a logon prompt, the key combination dismisses Welcome Screen and invokes classic logon user interface. [25]
  2. When a user is logged on to a Windows XP computer and Welcome Screen is enabled, pressing the key combination invokes Windows Task Manager instead of Windows Security. [26]
Windows Vista and the next versions of Windows NT did not inherit any of the above.

OS/2

In OS/2, this keystroke combination is recognized by the OS/2 keyboard device driver, which notifies the session manager process. [27] The normal session manager process in OS/2 versions 2.0 and later is the parent Workplace Shell process, which displays the "system is rebooting" window and triggers a soft reboot. [28] If it is pressed twice in succession OS/2 triggers an immediate soft reboot, without waiting for the session manager process.

In both cases, the system flushes the page cache, cleanly unmounts all disc volumes, but does not cleanly shut down any running programs (and thus does not save any unsaved documents, or the current arrangements of the objects on the Workplace Shell desktop or in any of its open folders). [28] [29]

Mac

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is not a keyboard shortcut on macOS. Instead, ⌘ Command+⌥ Option+Esc brings up the Force Quit panel. Control+⌘ Command+Power restarts the computer. [30]

The original Mac OS X Server had an Easter egg in which pressing Control+⌥ Option+Delete (as the Option key is the equivalent of Alt key on a Mac keyboard) would show an alert saying "This is not DOS!". [31]

Linux

The result of pressing the key combination in Ubuntu v22.10 Ubuntu 22.10 logging out screenshot.png
The result of pressing the key combination in Ubuntu v22.10

On some Linux-based operating systems including Ubuntu and Debian, Control+Alt+Delete is a shortcut for logging out. [32]

On Ubuntu Server, it is used to reboot a computer without logging in. [33]

Equivalents on various platforms

Desktop operating systems
PlatformKey combinationFunction
Amiga Ctrl+Left Amiga+Right AmigaPerform a hardware reboot by sending a reset signal to system via keyboard MCU (+ possible extra keycode + max 10s delay if "reset warning" is supported and in use). [34]
BIOS Ctrl+Alt+DeletePerform a soft reboot without memory initialization by jumping to IPL reset vector, [3] [4] [5] [16] after broadcasting a pending shutdown event (on AT compatible machines). [4] [5] [35] [16]
DOS + KEYB Ctrl+Alt+DeletePerform a soft reboot without memory initialization by jumping to IPL reset vector, after broadcasting a pending shutdown event (on AT compatible machines) [4] [5] [35] and flushing disk caches (since DOS 6, or with FreeKEYB [16] [36] [37] loaded). Some 386 memory managers (e.g. QEMM) can intercept and turn this into a quick reboot. [16] If more than one task is running under multitaskers like DR-DOS EMM386 /MULTI + TASKMGR, this will only kill the currently running foreground task. [16]
DOS + K3PLUS or FreeKEYB⇧ Shift+Ctrl+Alt+DeletePerform a soft reboot with memory initialization (aka "cold reboot") by jumping to IPL reset vector, after broadcasting a pending shutdown event (on AT compatible machines) and flushing disk caches. [16] [36] [37] [38]
LShift+RShift+Ctrl+Alt+DeletePerform a hard reboot by triggering the chipset's reset logic, after broadcasting a pending shutdown event and flushing disk caches. [16] [36] [37] [38]
Windows 3.x Ctrl+Alt+DeleteClose unresponsive applications. Performs a soft reboot if pressed twice. [17] [19] [20]
Windows 9x Ctrl+Alt+DeleteBring up "Close Program" dialog box (a simplistic task manager). Performs a soft reboot if pressed twice. [19] [20]
Windows NT familyCtrl+⇧ Shift+EscBring up the Windows Task Manager [39]

Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Ctrl+Alt+EndUsed in Terminal Services to send the command to the remote session / application:
Ctrl, ScrollLock (twice)Causes a user-initiated crash (disabled by default; must be enabled with registry editing) [42]

An equivalent function is Ctrl+NumLock (with Ctrl held down and pressing NumLock twice) [43]

OS/2 Ctrl+EscBring up the Window List (unblocking the synchronous input queue) [44]
Ctrl+Alt+DeletePerform a soft reboot
Ctrl+Alt, NumLock (twice)Halt the system and begin a system dump to floppy disk
TOS (1.4 and higher), MiNT Ctrl+Alt+DeletePerform soft reboot without memory initialization (warm boot) [45]
RShift+Ctrl+Alt+DeletePerform soft reboot with memory initialization (cold boot) [45]
Linux Ctrl+Alt+DeleteSignal the init process (usually configured to soft reboot) [46]
Alt+ SysRq + function key Magic SysRq key: Depending on the function key, performs a certain low-level function. Examples: sync (flush caches), reboot (forced soft reboot), unmount (remount filesystems readonly), etc.
macOS ⌥ Option+⌘ Command+EscForce quit applications [30]
⌘ Cmd+⌃ Control+⏏ Media EjectQuit all applications and restart [30]
⌘ Cmd+⌥ Option+⌃ Control+⏏ Media EjectQuit all applications and shut down [30]
Control+⏏ Media EjectShow restart, sleep or shutdown dialog [30] [47]
Control+⌘ Command+PowerImmediately restarts computer. [30]
BeOS Ctrl+Alt+⇧ Shift and click an application's entry in the DeskbarKills application [48]
Xfce Ctrl+Alt+Esc + click on windowKills application (invokes xkill) [49]
Ctrl+Alt+DeleteLock the screen and invoke the screensaver
X Window System Ctrl+Alt+← BackspaceImmediately kills the X server (the key combination can be disabled). When using an X Display Manager, it will usually start the X server again.
BBC Micro running Acorn MOS
  1. Break
  2. Control+Break
  3. ⇧ Shift+Break
  1. Soft boot
  2. Hard boot
  3. Soft boot and look for any bootable media on the active filesystem
Amstrad PCW on CP/M ⇧ Shift+Extra+Exit
Other platforms
PlatformKey combinationFunction
TI-30XIISOn+ClearRestarts the calculator and clears RAM
TI-80, TI-81, TI-82, TI-83, TI-84 Mode, Alpha, SShows ROM version number. [Enter] enters self test mode
TI-85, TI-86 2nd, Mode, Alpha, SShows ROM version number. [Enter] enters self test mode
TI-89 2nd+←+→+OnRestarts the calculator and clears RAM
Esc+OnForce break without restarting RAM
F5, ◆+Clear, Alpha+SEnter self test mode
Natural display Casio calculators⇧ Shift+7+OnRestarts the calculator and clears RAM and EEPROM. Continue pressing Shift to advance through self-test mode.
TI-99/4A FCTN+=Resets machine back to startup screen.
Voyage 200 2nd+Hand+OnRestarts the calculator and clears RAM
HP-48 On+CRestarts RPL, clearing the Stack and PICT, closing IO, and returning to the HOME directory (but not purging the memory)
On+A+FAs above, but also purges the memory
Scientific Atlanta Explorer DHCT
Samsung cable boxes		Volume Down+Volume Up+Info(on settop box; not remote)Reboots box
Foxtel Set-top-boxesBack+Select (on box; except UEC 720) Power cycles the machine. [50]
Standby+Foxtel (on box; UEC 720)
Back+Select+Reset (on box; iQ2)
C64 Run/Stop+RestoreWarm starts the machine, does not work if CPU has crashed or NMI is blocked in hardware or rerouted.
Amazon Fire TV Select+Play/Pause (on remote)Reboots the device
Virtual machine platforms
PlatformKey combinationFunction
VMware Ctrl+Alt+InsertSend the command to the virtual machine.
Microsoft Virtual PC RAlt+DeleteSend the command to the virtual machine.
Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 Ctrl+Alt+EndSend the command to the virtual machine.
Oracle VM VirtualBox RCtrl+DeleteSend the command to the virtual machine.

Cultural adoption

Dutch protester carrying a sign that reads "Ctrl-Alt-Del the early retirement plan" GroenLinks demonstration 20041002 CtrlAltDel-crop.JPG
Dutch protester carrying a sign that reads "Ctrl-Alt-Del the early retirement plan"

As computers became ubiquitous, so too, has the jargon. Control-Alt-Delete can also mean "dump," or "do away with". [51]

The keystrokes are well known and infamous for escaping from problems in pop culture. For example, in the Billy Talent song "Perfect World", part of the lyrics include the sequence and associate it with resetting their memory and escaping from a situation: "Control-Alt-Deleted. Reset my memory." [52]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ When a Windows computer is locked, access to Windows is only allowed when valid credentials are supplied. Unlocking a computer is similar to a logon.
  2. ↑ The only way to wrest the control of Ctrl+Alt+Delete handling from Windows is to subvert its core components such as kernel or winlogon. However, a malicious program that has succeeded in breaching Windows integrity so deeply does not need to steal a password.

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References

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  14. ↑ Control-Alt-Delete: David Bradley & Bill Gates Archived 2020-07-28 at the Wayback Machine , video clip from IBM PC 20th Anniversary, Aug 8, 2001 (posted to YouTube on Jan 7, 2011)
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  21. ↑ Andrei Miroshnikov (2018). Windows Security Monitoring: Scenarios and Patterns. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-1119390879. Winlogon is a system component
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  37. 1 2 3 Paul, Matthias R.; Frinke, Axel C. (2006-01-16), FreeKEYB - Advanced international DOS keyboard and console driver (User Manual) (v7 preliminary (v6.58) ed.)
  38. 1 2 Frinke, Axel C.; Paul, Matthias R. (1995-05-10) [first published 1991], K3PLUS v6 - Der ultimative Ersatz für den DOS-Standard-Tastaturtreiber KEYB GR (User Manual) (in German) (r49-v6.21 ed.) (NB. K3PLUS was an extended keyboard driver for DOS widely distributed in Germany at its time, with adaptations to a handful of other European languages available. K3PLUS.DOC is part of the K3P621P2.ZIP distribution package.)
  39. ↑ "Keyboard Shortcuts". Oracle Help Center. Archived from the original on 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
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  47. ↑ "Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier: Computer stops responding". Apple, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  48. ↑ "The Haiku/BeOS Tip Server: Kill and restart the Tracker". Archived from the original on 2017-02-05. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
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  50. ↑ "FOXTEL Set-Top Unit Reboot". Archived from the original on 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  51. ↑ Wordspy Archived 2007-11-15 at the Wayback Machine cites the earliest such use as Chris Miksanek's 18 December 1995 Computerworld column titled, "Ctrl-Alt-Delete those holiday trinkets".
  52. ↑ "Billy Talent – 'Perfect World' Lyrics". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-07-13.

Further reading

IBM PC keyboard (Windows, ANSI US layout)
Esc F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 PrtScn/
SysRq 		Scroll
Lock 		Pause/
Break
KB United States-NoAltGr.svg
 Insert Home PgUp Num
Lock 		∕ ∗ −
Delete End PgDn 7 8 9 +
4 5 6
↑ 1 2 3 Enter
← ↓ →    0
   Ins 		  .  
Del
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