Windows · Open or close the Start menu
Start
Windows · Linux
WinMac
Not on this systemOpens and closes the Start menu; typing right after it goes straight into search, so knowing a program name beats hunting through the list.
- Group
- Start
- Keys held
- 1
Win-key combinations are captured before any program sees them — nothing can clash with them, and nothing can override them either.
Reading the key names
- Keys joined by + are pressed together: Ctrl+Shift+P means hold Ctrl and Shift, then P.
- On a Mac, Cmd is ⌘, Option is ⌥ (labelled Alt on some keyboards), Control is ⌃ and Shift is ⇧.
- Windows Ctrl usually becomes Cmd on a Mac, but not always — this reference lists both combinations separately.
- With a Korean, Japanese or Chinese input method active, shortcuts built on letter keys may not fire. Switch to Latin input and try again.
- When a combination does nothing, another program has often claimed it as a global shortcut first.
Common questions
Q. What is the shortcut for Open or close the Start menu in Windows?
Opens and closes the Start menu; typing right after it goes straight into search, so knowing a program name beats hunting through the list. It is Win on Windows and — on a Mac.
Q. Is it the same on Windows and Mac?
No — Win on Windows, — on a Mac.
Q. How many keys is that?
1 pressed together. The combination sits under Start in Windows.