Why does Windows require CTRL+ALT+DEL to Logon?

Why does Windows require CTRL+ALT+DEL to Logon?

Has Microsoft ever offered an explanation for why they require CTRL+ALT+DEL to login? (Yes I know you can disable it, but it is still their preferred method.) It seems like at one point I heard that it was for security since you knew nothing else could trap CTRL+ALT+DEL, but I've written programs that trap CTRL+ALT+DEL, and it isn't that difficult, so I am pretty sure that was just a myth, either that or the decision to require CTRL+ALT+DEL is based on a fallacy.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 318

Total answers/comments: 1

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Guest [Entry]

"This is the same as this Server Fault question: How does CTRL-ALT-DEL to log in make Windows more secure?.

Here is the accepted answer from there, by Oskar Duveborn:

The Windows (NT) kernel is designed to reserve the notification of
this key combination to a single process: Winlogon. So, as long as the
Windows installation itself is working as it should - no third party
application can respond to this key combination (if it could, it could
present a fake logon window and keylog your password ;)"