What are toggle keys?

By | September 2, 2011
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Gretchen wants to know what toggle keys are
I’ve seen the term toggle keys several places and I’m curious as to what they are. Can’t think of anyone better than you two to ask. Thanks for all the great info. Gretchen C.

Our answer
Thank you, Gretchen.

ToggleKeys is term used to describe a computer keyboard key that has one or more functions. For example, the caps lock key, num lock key, and scroll lock key are examples of ToggleKeys. ToggleKeys are also an accessibility option.

When ToggleKeys are turned on, your computer will make a high or low tone beep when you press any of the NumLock, CapsLock, or ScrollLock keys.

Did you know that the NumLock key is not as useless as you thought? Did you know that you can turn ToggleKeys on by using only your NumLock key? When ToggleKeys is on, your computer will beep whenever you press the CapsLock, ScrollLock or NumLock keys). Normally, you would turn ToggleKeys on in Accessibility Options in Control Panel.

And the NumLock key isn’t as useless as you thought. Did you know that you can simply hold down the NumLock button for five seconds, and that my friends turns on ToggleKeys for you. It’s much quicker than clicking Control Panel, Accessibility options, and then ToggleKeys.

With ToggleKeys on, you will hear a beep to let you know you’ve pressed your CapsLock key – which is very handy. It also will beep when you press the ScrollLock or NumLock keys too.

If you turned ToggleKeys on using this tip and want to turn them off, all you have to do is hold down the NumLock key for five seconds again.

2 thoughts on “What are toggle keys?

  1. Barb

    I badly need to know when /Caps Lock is on, and I use the numeric keypad at intervals all day. Is there a way of keeping them both permanently on? I think toggling is a ridiculous and confusing idea, and I’m completely lost with it. I don’t remember having any problem with it until recently. Has Microsoft changed something? At present I am finding that I have typed rows of capital letters, or using a dead keypad while its light is on.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      You can do all kinds of things with toggle keys – including making a beeping sound whenever you hit Caps Lock, NumLock, etc. Keep in mind that Caps lock and Numlock are nNOT toggle keys.

      Press Windows Key + U for Ease of Access, once there click on “Keyboard” – you’ll find all the setting for turning on/off Toggle keys and other keyboard settings.

      Reply

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