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The Windows key is found between the Alt keys and Ctrl keys on both sides of the spacebar. With some keyboard manufacturers they may substitute the Windows logo for another picture, but they key still functions the same.

Why do keyboards commonly have two Windows keys?

Xavierjazz
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user198350
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    Same as right Ctrl, right Alt (non-Gr), and right Shift, I would guess. – u1686_grawity Oct 24 '16 at 13:52
  • @grawity: On my keyboard [SteelSeries Apex Raw](https://i.imgur.com/rqTKVVh.jpg) the key does nothing. – user198350 Oct 24 '16 at 13:57
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    Either it's broken or the driver is broken. Normally LWin and RWin would have identical functionality. – u1686_grawity Oct 24 '16 at 14:02
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    Possible duplicate of [Why are there two sets of the CTRL, Alt, and Shift modifier keys on the keyboard?](http://superuser.com/questions/304295/why-are-there-two-sets-of-the-ctrl-alt-and-shift-modifier-keys-on-the-keyboard), [Why does a keyboard have two Ctrl keys?](http://superuser.com/questions/466796/why-does-a-keyboard-have-two-ctrl-keys?noredirect=1&lq=1) – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 Oct 24 '16 at 14:16
  • @Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007: I'm not sure if this post is technically a duplicate since that one doesn't mention the Windows key. – user198350 Oct 24 '16 at 22:02

2 Answers2

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For convenience sake, so you can use either hand to access it.

Xavierjazz
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    Wrong. They don't do the same things. – Tonny Oct 24 '16 at 14:29
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    @Tonny You're confusing Windows key with the menu key. – DavidPostill Oct 24 '16 at 16:20
  • @DavidPostill In all my 35 years of using computers I have never seen, or even heard of, a keyboard having 2 Windows keys. I have seen plenty of keyboards with the right-key (menu-key) labeled as a 2nd Windows-key. Seems they do exist, but I honestly didn't think so and assumed teh poster was confused. – Tonny Oct 25 '16 at 12:54
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They don't do the same things.
In a default standard Windows setup the left-key opens the Start-menu and is used in various combinations (E.g left-WIndows-key+R open the Run-prompt) as short-cut key.
The right Windows-key functions the same as the right mouse-button key on your mouse.

EDIT: In all my 35 years of using computers I have never seen, or even heard of, a keyboard having 2 Windows keys.
I have seen plenty of keyboards with the right-key (menu-key) labeled as a 2nd Windows-key.
Seems such keyboards do exist, but I honestly didn't know that.
I didn't pay enough attention to the picture. My bad.

Tonny
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    Maybe on your machine. My right Windows key opens the start menu and operates shortcuts in exactly the same way as the left Windows key. – jon_two Oct 24 '16 at 14:45
  • @Tonny Sounds like you're confusing the right Windows key with the [Context/Apps key](http://superuser.com/questions/885043/where-is-the-apps-key-on-a-standard-microsoft-keyboard). – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 Oct 24 '16 at 14:47
  • You're confusing Windows key with the [menu key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menu_key). – user198350 Oct 24 '16 at 15:48
  • This answer ought to be edited to get to a state as if written today (and without "Edit", "Update" or similar - that is what the revision history is for). Or deleted. – Peter Mortensen Feb 04 '23 at 21:19
  • It depends. Some have both the context key and the right Windows key (e.g., Microsoft "[Natural Keyboard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Natural_keyboard#Natural_Keyboard)" (e.g., model number E03786V105. Mid 1990s) and [Rapoo V700 RGB](https://pmortensen.eu/world2/2021/12/24/rapoo-mechanical-keyboards-gotchas-and-setup/)). Some have an 'Fn' and one of the two keys are missing. Of those, it may be configurable which one is included and which is missing (e.g., on - – Peter Mortensen Feb 04 '23 at 22:55
  • cont' - the [Ducky Shine 7](https://www.duckychannel.com.tw/upload/2019_06_052/201906051349143vzt77cMb1.pdf) (page 25) it is configurable with DIP switches. The factory default is the Win key left in. I have set mine to *DIP switch 2* ON (context menu left in) as that is far more useful.) – Peter Mortensen Feb 04 '23 at 22:55
  • Cooler Master's [CK550 V2](https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/peripheral/keyboards/ck550-v2/) has left out the context key. But it is possible to change it by remapping the Windows key to the corresponding context key action (either by a direct remapping or a macro (only macros are easily copied from keyboard to keyboard)). Though it will be in the wrong physical position (muscle memory problems)—the *Fn* key is where the context key normally is. – Peter Mortensen Feb 04 '23 at 23:31
  • On the [Nedis / Coatyss](https://support.nedis.com/en-us/products/550707541) (model GKBD400BKND) it is the opposite: the context menu is left in (a more sensible choice). – Peter Mortensen Feb 04 '23 at 23:39