The famous Ctrl + Alt + Del keyword shortcut, known to millions of users as the quick fix for frozen programs in Windows, wasn’t originally planned. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates admitted this during an interview at Harvard University, where he called the key combination a “mistake.”
Although the shortcut has been key for decades to access the Task Manager or restart the system, Gates explained that the initial intention was to create a single key that would perform that function more directly and easily. However, the IBM keyboard designer refused to include a dedicated key, so the development team opted for a three-key workaround.
Gates explained that when the operating system boots, a signal was needed that interacted directly with the hardware, which prevented risks such as malware that simulates login screens to steal passwords. To achieve this, a level was programmed that required the simultaneous pressing of Ctrl + Alt + Delete as a security measure.
Despite its inconvenience—it requires the use of both hands—the shortcut became one of Windows’ most iconic features. Amid laughter and applause from the audience, Gates concluded, “It was a mistake,” meaning that, although functional, the solution wasn’t ideal.
For those looking for a more direct alternative, there is another lesser-known shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Esc, which directly opens the Task Manager without going through the security menu.