Displaying the Start Menu Using the Keyboard

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated January 14, 2019)

The Start menu is the way in which you access many features, tools, and resources in Windows. Normally you display the Start menu by clicking the small Windows icon at the left side of the Taskbar. There are also ways you can display the Start menu using the keyboard, in case you don't want to take your hands off the keyboard. Either of these methods will work:

  • Press Ctrl+Esc
  • Click the keyboard key that has a Windows icon visible on it

You should note that the second method of displaying the Start menu only has meaning if you are using a Windows enhanced keyboard. Most keyboards provided with computer systems these days fall into this category, but if you are using an older system, you may not have such a key on the keyboard.

 This tip (10799) applies to Windows 7 and 10.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Deleting MRU Entries

By default Word dutifully keeps track of the different files you've worked on in the past. If you want to delete an entry ...

Discover More

Ignoring Case in a Comparison

Do you want Excel to take the case of your text into account when it does comparisons in a formula? The IF statement ...

Discover More

Blank Lines Before Tables

Adding a blank line before your table is easy, but Word's behavior as you attempt to make the insert can depend on where ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding the Start Menu

When you want to start using Windows for real, you'll typically need to go through the Start menu to do it. This tip ...

Discover More

Adjusting Sound Volume

Windows utilizes sound for many purposes. You can adjust the volume at which Windows plays those sounds by using the ...

Discover More

Moving the Taskbar to a Different Edge of the Screen

The Taskbar is normally displayed along the bottom edge of the screen. Windows gives you the flexibility to decide where ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 + 4?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.