Ctrl Alt Delete

Ctrl Alt Delete Guide: Understanding the Keyboard Shortcut

Introduction

Ctrl Alt Delete (Ctrl-Alt-Del or Control-Alt-Delete) is a ubiquitous keyboard shortcut on computers and laptops. Its purpose and functionality vary depending on the operating system and context.

History and Variations

For early PCs, Ctrl Alt Delete was introduced as a "three-finger salute" security measure. In later versions of Windows, it evolved into a menu that allowed users to:

• Lock their screen
• Change their password
• Access the Task Manager

The name is often abbreviated as CtrlAltDel or CAD.