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).

  • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
    41·
    3 months ago

    I use it a lot. Ever since windows 8, the best way to use windows has been hit the windows key and type what you want.

    Additionally there are a few shortcuts that are handy

    • win + L for locking
    • win + E for file explorer
    • win + D for desktop
    • win + ctrl + alt + shift + L to hate what windows has become
  • Kethal@lemmy.world
    27·
    3 months ago

    So you use your mouse to click on the start menu button, scroll through the menu and click again on the program? That sounds awful. I click the Windows button and type the program name.

  • aStonedSanta@lemm.ee
    14·
    3 months ago

    I’m on Linux. But yeah I use it to open the start menu all the time. Then I can type apps name and hit enter

  • unmagical@lemmy.ml
    121·
    3 months ago

    100%

    It’s the only way I open the start menu. There is no faster way to get to what I want than Superkey and typing.

    PS I have all my OSes set up similarly. OSx has spotlight, my GNOME and KDE are configured to launch searchable menus on Super, and my mobile launcher is set up to search when I swipe up.

  • SwearingRobin@lemmy.world
    9·
    3 months ago

    I hit the windows key, type and hit enter to open programs a lot. I literally have no desktop icons showing, I don’t like the look and taking my hands off the keyboard to click stuff takes longer anyways.

    I also do windows + number to open/switch to pinned programs a lot.

  • finalarbiter@lemmy.world
    9·
    3 months ago

    As others have said, I use it mainly for the search function to start programs as well as many shortcuts. I’ve seen others mention screenshots and locking, but here are a few more:

    • Win+. - Opens the special symbols/emoji windows
    • Win+ left or right arrow - Snaps a window to the left or right half of the screen, respectively. Up arrow maximizes, down minimizes.
    • Win+r - Opens the run dialog
    • Win+v - Opens clipboard history (history is off by default, it will ask you to enable it the first time you use the shortcut)
    • Win+x - Opens the ‘quick link’ menu (Power Options, Event Viewer, System, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, Computer Management, and Command Prompts
    • As a bonus, my favorite windows shortcut is Ctrl+Win+Alt+Shift+L, which opens linkedin in in a new browser tab.

    A full list can be found here: windows key shortcuts

  • HarbingerOfTomb@lemmy.world
    9·
    3 months ago

    Hell yes. I’m not taking the time go move my hand to the mouse, find the cursor with my eyes, move the mouse and then move hands back to type. That’s asinine.

  • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    3 months ago

    Yes, it’s one of the most useful keys. I haven’t used file explorers for applications in forever. Hit the Windows key, type a couple letters of the program you want, hit enter.

  • JaggedRobotPubes@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    3 months ago

    Constantly.

    Open shit on the taskbar.

    Win + E for file explorer.

    Win key and type stuff for a few programs I don’t want to have icons for.

    One of the best keys!

  • Boozilla@lemmy.worldEnglish
    102·
    3 months ago

    Constantly. I’m a keyboard shortcut junky. I use it with several different key combos. The fact that the “super key” works slightly differently in Pop OS kind of drives me crazy. I really need to figure out how to remap it so it’s closer to the same.

    Edit: I should clarify that I also use it to bring up the stupid Windows menu all the time, too. Then I will search for whatever app I’m looking for. I have turned off web searching with it, though.

    Even though most-frequently used apps are pinned, there are still quite a few others that I need semi-regularly but not enough to earn a pin.

  • marlowe221@lemmy.worldEnglish
    81·
    3 months ago

    Whether you use Windows or Linux, the Windows key is the foundation of many useful keyboard shortcuts. You know, hold it down plus some other key.

    Whatever your preferred OS, look them up! You may find a few you would like to start using.

    But yeah, on my work computer which is a Windows machine, I often use it to open the start menu and start typing the name of the app I want to launch. It’s faster than clicking on an icon somewhere if your hands are already on the keyboard.

  • the_grass_trainer@lemmy.world
    5·
    3 months ago

    Yeah, of course! Some full screen programs, mostly games, will not let you tab out to the desktop, so i use the windows key to open the start menu which also pops up the taskbar so i can swap to something else.

      • the_grass_trainer@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 months ago

        Didn’t know about alt+esc. I’ll try that next time and see if it does the job. Thank you!

        Edit: yup! This works without having to deal with the start menu.

  • whereBeWaldo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    5·
    3 months ago

    Start menu is helpful to execute programs quickly as many others have stated previously. Other useful thing with the start menu is that it automatically makes a fullscreen application lose focus. So I can just use the windows key to focus out of a fullscreen app and click on something else on the other monitor.

  • bonn2@lemm.ee
    4·
    3 months ago

    Constantly, I don’t use desktop icons so I am always pressing Win then typing the first 6 letters of the program that I want and hitting enter. I know wintab and winenter search programs exist, but for what I use it for the default one is fine and it is one less program constantly running in the background