Definition: Ctrl-Alt-Del

(1) For the Mac "abort" command, see Command-Option-Escape.

(2) The key combination in Windows that enables a user to terminate an unresponsive application. When all three keys are pressed at the same time, the Task Manager utility, which displays all open apps, can be selected from a menu. The Task Manager enables the user to shut down the computer.

First used to reboot DOS PCs, the keystrokes were chosen by IBM in 1981 to ensure users would not accidentally press them. The delete key is at the opposite end of the keyboard from the Ctrl and Alt keys. See Win Task Manager.

End a Task in Windows 10

Pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del in Windows 10 displays a menu in which Task Manager is one of the options.