Why does the Start Menu open when I push escape in Windows 7?

Question

Why does the Windows key seem to be reversed with the Escape key? This seems to randomly happen, and rebooting reverts their functionality.

What is happening that makes this happen, how can I prevent it from happening again, and how do I fix it when it does happen without rebooting?

Solution 1

I think Ctrl + Esc opens the Start Menu.

You probably have a problem with the Ctrl button, or you have some sort of "sticky buttons" option enabled in the accessibility preferences.

Solution 2

I think your Ctrl key was pressed for some reason. Ctrl+Esc brings up start menu on Windows.

Comments

[antony.trupe]

It stopped on it's own. The only thing of significance I did was toggle between my host OS(Windows 7) and my guest OS(also Windows 7). The problem was only happening to the host OS. I'd still love to know why it happens. I use VMWare Player.

[Salauddin Farhaan]

Ctrl+Esc is the same as pressing the windows key, and I've noticed from time to time that the control key seems to get 'locked on'. I usually press control, then shift, then alt in sequence and it goes away. I can't offer any explanation, but I've seen it happen many times.

[sriram sudhakar]

comments from AJ and Patkos Csaba were both accurate -- as it happened only once it was likely a stuck/sticky Ctrl key

[Stevoisiak]

The shortcut was added back when most keyboards didn't have a dedicated 'Windows' key. (via SU chat)