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Control Alt Delete does not work

hey Folks,

So my crtl+alt+del function is not working. It's supposed to show the "security options screen" or whatever it's called. From there you can open the task manager, etc. Normally use it for stopping programs that aren't responding. However, pressing this combination of buttons on my computer does absolutely nothing. On any screen or at any time.

The individual buttons work: I can copy/paste with CTRL+C / V, I can switch screens using ALT+Tab, and I can remove text in a word processor with the DEL button. I have also tried throwing the Function button in, to no avail.

I'm on a brand new computer:

Device name MSI
Processor 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-12450H 2.00 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB (7.71 GB usable)
Device ID E81CD973-7927-4296-B132-87AFC31EAB37
Product ID 00342-21126-79770-AAOEM
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 23H2
Installed on ‎2024-‎06-‎25
OS build 22631.4037
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22700.1027.0

Hello, thegman_117

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

Thank you for your feedback. I understand that you are experiencing problems with the shortcuts. Here are some troubleshooting options:

1. Try using the on-screen keyboard:

Click the Start menu and select Settings (gear icon).

Go to Accessibility > Keyboard.

Under the Use on-screen keyboard option, click the switch to turn it on.

 

2. Try an in-place upgrade

As I have not been able to reproduce your problem. You can try an in-place upgrade which will refresh your windows and will not delete your data, but it is still recommended to back up your important data.

How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community 

3. If the in-place upgrade doesn't work, as a temporary solution, you can try to re-map your keyboard using Powertoys and see if that fixes it temporarily.

Microsoft PowerToys | Microsoft Learn

 

I look forward to your feedback, which will help me pinpoint your problem.

Best Regards,

Aaron| Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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I turned on the on-screen keyboard and pressed CTRL+ATL+DEL. A dialogue appears stating:

"To use the commands available when you press CTRL+ATL+DEL, click your user tile and choose an option."

I have no idea what my user tile is, but I have a feeling this is not going to help me with my problem. Since Windows is terrible, and even though this is a brand new computer, it's still freezing on me fairly regularly. The CRTL+ATL+DEL function is at least an option for trying to un-freeze the computer and stopping unresponsive programs, but simply opening up the security options from my user tile is not going to work in that scenario or is it what I'm looking for right now.

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You can also post your questions to Microsoft Learn, more users post these issues there, you can click on "Ask a question", there are experts who can provide more professional solutions in that place.  

Here is a link to the forum where you can raise specific scenarios and share your idea to help solve the problem.  

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Last updated April 17, 2025 Views 2,010 Applies to: