Using the Shortcut Key to Enable FilterKeys (155519)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
This article was previously published under Q155519

SUMMARY

FilterKeys is an Accessibility option that you can use to control the keyboard repeat rate and ignore repeated keys. This article discusses how to use the FilterKeys shortcut key to enable various levels of FilterKeys functionality.

MORE INFORMATION

Enabling the FilterKeys Shortcut Key

The FilterKeys shortcut key is the right SHIFT key. To enable the shortcut key to start FilterKeys functionality, use the following steps:
  1. In Control Panel, double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. Click the Keyboard tab, click Settings in the FilterKeys section, and then click the Use Shortcut check box to select it.
  3. Click OK, and then click OK again.

Description of Terms Associated with FilterKeys

SlowKeys - The sensitivity of the keyboard can be a problem, especially if you strike keys accidentally. SlowKeys instructs Windows to disregard keys that are not held down for a certain period of time.

RepeatKeys - Most keyboards allow you to repeat a key just by holding it down. If you cannot lift your fingers off the keyboard quickly enough, this can result in unintentionally repeated characters. RepeatKeys lets you adjust the repeat rate or disable it altogether.

BounceKeys - You may "bounce" keys, resulting in double strokes of the same key or other similar errors. BounceKeys instructs Windows to ignore unintended keystrokes.

Description of Tones Produced by the FilterKeys Shortcut Key

If you press down and hold the right SHIFT key for four seconds, you hear three short warning tones. No functionality is enabled with these warning tones.

If you hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds, in addition to the previous tones, you hear a rising tone and the following default FilterKeys settings (or the last settings saved) are enabled:

  • RepeatKeys: On, one second
  • SlowKeys: On, one second
  • BounceKeys: Off
If you hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds, in addition to the previous tones, you hear two rising tones and the following Emergency Level 1 FilterKeys settings are enabled:
  • RepeatKeys: Off
  • SlowKeys: Off
  • BounceKeys: On, one second
Holding down the right SHIFT key another four seconds (16 seconds total) produces three rising tones and invokes the Emergency Level 2 setting with the following settings:
  • RepeatKeys: Off
  • SlowKeys: On, two seconds
  • BounceKeys: Off
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kbEnableLearn kbEnableMove KB155519
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