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

Repeating Your Typing

Want a quick way to repeat a word or phrase you just typed? Here's the shortcut you need.

Discover More

Hiding Table Gridlines, by Default

The edges to table cells are shown two ways in Word: gridlines and borders. Table gridlines are only seen in Word; they ...

Discover More

Creating a Custom Power Management Plan

Don't like the built-in power management plans that Windows provides? You can create your own to better fit your power needs.

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Adding a Toolbar to the Taskbar

Normally the taskbar is used to display icons for currently running programs on your system. Here's how you can go beyond ...

Discover More

Controlling the Display of System Icons in the Notification Area

A sometimes overlooked area of Windows customization is the notification area. This tip explains how you can control the ...

Discover More

Changing How Tasks Appear on the Taskbar

The Windows Taskbar is much more robust than it was in previous versions of the operating system. One of its many ...

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 two less than 5?

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 © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.