I recently purchased a new mechanical keyboard. The mechanical keyboard that I bought offers a magical typing experience that you simply cannot find on a laptop or standard desktop keyboard.
Although the keyboard is exceptionally good, the only problem is that it does not come with a Windows logo key!
Buying a keyboard that does not include a Windows logo key was not a good idea as I could not open the Start menu with the keyboard and use other Windows logo keyboard shortcuts. Of course, clicking on the Start button the taskbar opens the Start menu, but I am used to opening the Start menu with a keyboard shortcut.
If you also have a keyboard without a Windows logo key or if you have installed Windows 10/11 on a Mac and wondering how to access the Start menu without the Windows key, here is how to do that.
Keyboard shortcut to open Start menu in the absence of Windows logo key
If your keyboard lacks the Windows logo key, you can use the Ctrl + Esc hotkey to open the Start menu. Yes, in addition to the Windows logo key, the Start menu can also be opened with the Ctrl + Esc on all keyboards.
In addition to the Ctrl + Esc key, you can also remap the keyboard to a less-used key for the Windows logo key. For instance, you can remap the rarely used CapsLock key to the Windows logo key. To remap, refer to our how to remap the keyboard in Windows guide.
Open the Start menu on Mac
If you have installed Windows 11/10 on a Mac and are wondering how to open the Start menu, there is an easy way.
On a Mac keyboard, you just have to press the Command key to open the Start menu.
Needless to say, you can always click on the Start button on the taskbar to open the Start menu.
Ruth I SCHRIER says
I am not able to use any of the directions to find a start menu or to find the start button to turn off my laptop
carolyne loesch says
i am new to a computer I am trying to set up my printer the instructions say shut down the computer hit the start button… i dont know where that is i am not computer savvy anymore since years ago..i dont like to use help, because they start off with “everybody knows…” i dont remember anything. Using words to a person who has never been on a computer before; ill start with where is the start menu button, or how to shut off a computer ido what they say and there is never a corresponding thing to hit next. i am stalled before i get started. this printer is wireless. i thought it would work if i hit print. it does not. is there a tutorial for extreme newbie’s?