why ctrl-alt-delete to logon is not backwards

[cooky560 Veteran]

You can do that in any version of Windows (XP or later) via a custom install, or via modification of the Users settings in Control Panel post-install.

You can turn ctrl+alt+del on or off in any NT build from the User Settings panel

[iKenndac]

Since most keyboards are USB these days, is it even possible for keyboards to send hardware interrupts that low down any more?

[Rigby]

Or when installing NT4WS with the default settings (which mirrored those of NT 3.51 Workstation, which it would replace).

Actually, if you tell *any* NT-based Windows (until XP) that a password is required to log on, the three-finger salute is a requirement (that includes both NT 4 Workstation and Windows 2000 Professional). It would take XP to banish the three-finger salute (instead, it brings up Task Manager).

A fresh install of Windows 2000 required it? I'm not positive but I don't remember that being the case.

[cooky560 Veteran]

In every version of Windows it's shown in the "Advanced" tab of the classic "Users and Passwords" control panel icon. And group policy

[ozgeek]

I am familar with CTRL+ALT+DEL at logon. I used Windows NT work station at school. We were asked to do the 3 key salute (CTRL+ALT+DEL) and then logon using our username and passwords everytime we logon. When I got my first computer and put XP on it, I enabled the settings and it works excatly the same way as the NT4 logon. When inside Windows, it just opens the Task manager.

Win7 have a menu now that opens when you do the CTRL+ALT+DEL, I even still press CTRL+ALT+DEL just to open the task manager even though I know I could press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.

[ShawnB]

I'll add to this old topic. On the Win8 developer PC you don't do CTRL-ALT-DEL to initiate secure login, you now do "Hold Windows Key and press the power button" as directed on the lock screen. Also, pin and picture passwords are disabled if you join a domain.

[Aergan]

David Bradely created it, Bill made it famous!

[Xerax]

Also, it was picked because it was almost impossible to press those three keys by accident, back on the old keyboards. (with no Num-Pad).

[PGHammer]

A fresh install of Windows 2000 required it? I'm not positive but I don't remember that being the case.

Note that I specified that if a password (non-blank) was set. If no password is set in Windows 2000, Ctrl+Alt+Del is unnecessary.