Sticky Keys
What is Sticky Keys
Sticky Key is a keyboard feature in {Windows, Mac, Linux}.
It lets you press key combination by pressing each key in sequence. For example, to press Ctrl+c, you press Ctrl, release it, then press c.
This works for any of Shift Ctrl Alt ⌥ option ⌘ command
Sticky Key is an excellent feature if you have hand pain from Repetitive Strain Injury of typing key combo too much.
How to Turn on Sticky Keys in Microsoft Windows
On Windows 10, press ❖ Window, then type “stickykey” to launch the settings.
Sticky Keys Indicator on Microsoft Windows
Once its on, you have this key indicator in the taskbar. It shows which modifier keys are currently “stuck”.
How to Turn on Sticky Keys in MacOS
On Mac, go to menu [System Preferences ▸ Universal Access ▸ Keyboard tab].
How to Turn on Sticky Key in Linux
For Linux, it's usually under the system preference settings, Accessibility section or Keyboard section.
Problem with Sticky Keys
I tried sticky keys since about 2010. But always ends up turning them off, after about a month. On Microsoft Windows, Mac, Linux.
Sticky keys is really nice to use, but it always have problems. Basically, you have the issue of trying to find out which key is turned on. Happens few times per hour. Each time one has too check the status, that's about 3 seconds eye and mind energy, and freeze the world.
If you have sticky keys on, you have to press ❖ Windows key 4 times to start and exit it.
Also, normally, Escape cancels sticky, but if you have Ctrl on, and press Escape, which becomes Ctrl+Escape, which invokes the Windows start menu like what the ❖ Windows key does. Similarly, Alt+Escape switches window.
Another example, look at the following shortcuts.
you have shortcuts like shift by itself, or Ctrl+Shift, or LeftAlt+Shift, then with sticky keys on they become very confusing.
The problem isn't about sticky key itself. But due to how actually complex and piled up legacy are the keyboard shortcuts since the 90s. Wild and inconsistent.
There are different types of shortcuts by how the keys are pressed, that affect sticky keys.
Types of different keyboard shortcuts (ways they are pressed):
- Windows Key, Alt, as key that does an action by themselves. Also, Single press key such as shift when in Chinese pinyin input (for switching to English) [see Chinese Input Methods]
- Key combination (aka chord).
- Sequence of keys, is another type. E.g. Alt e c for copy.
- Pressing a key multiple times, is another type. E.g. Press shift 5 times to turn on sticky.