Control-Alt-Delete is a very popular keyboard shortcut for rebooting a Windows PC, NT logon or for invoking the Windows Task Manager in XP systems.The time saving Ctrl+Alt+Del keyboard combination was designed by David Bradley, a designer of the original IBM PC.
Bradley originally designed Control-Alt-Escape to trigger a soft reboot, but he found it was too easy to bump the left side of the keyboard and reboot the computer accidentally.
He switched the key combination to Control-Alt-Delete, a combination impossible to press with just one hand.
Bradley did not intend Control-Alt-Delete to be used by end users - it was meant to be used by people writing programs or documentation, so that they could reboot their computers without powering them down. But the key combination went on to become a cultural icon especially for hiding the Windows 95 BSOD.
David Bradley describes how he invented CTRL-ALT-DEL - Quicktime Video
Read more about David Bradley at Wikipedia.
Reader Comments
With most modern keyboards, it's no longer impossible to press Control-Alt-Delete with one hand. I do it all the time.
Written on 27/7/06 12:37 AM
Amit, thanks for the reminder about David Bradley and the Ctrl-Alt-Del keyboard combination, as it brought back a smile.
Just saw a quotation by him a few days back, and I'll leave it with you:
"I may have invented control-alt-delete, but Bill Gates made it really famous."
~ David Bradley, at a gathering on the 20th anniversary of the PC.
Written on 27/7/06 12:46 AM
Funny, I was thinking of staring a tech blog yesterday and calling it Ctrl-Alt-Del, and on some search realized that there is CAD comics which has already taken that name ...
And then I was thinking about why we still have to use 3 buttons to do that task in this time and age? If we can manage to have a 'windows' button ... actually 2, why not have a single button to take over the CAD function or something else ... is it because it is a well established convention now? BTW, no disrespect to Mr. Bradley!
Written on 27/7/06 1:54 AM
I second that. we can easily cover the ctrl-alt-del combination with our right hand. especially for people with big hands they can just accidentally press the key combo.
Written on 27/7/06 8:00 AM
The story behind great work is like this. Like initially internet was not meant for common people (It was actually for US defense- ARPAnet).
Written on 27/7/06 11:15 AM
judging by the video, bill doesnt have much of a sense of humor.
Written on 28/7/06 12:54 AM