If you press this twice, the rebooting process starts without shutting down open programs. The same combination performs a different function in Windows 3.x and Windows 9x. When used while on Power-on Self-Test, it will reboot the system. Some important uses of this key combinationĬtrl+Alt+Del can be used to restart the computer. The Ctrl and Alt keys are first pressed simultaneously, followed by the Delete key.
Today it is primarily used to perform administrative functions on a Windows device. The specialty of this key combination is the function it performs depends on the context in which it is used.