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Any way in Windows 7 64-bit to keep the Ctrl key activated for a period of time without continuously pressing the key? I want to cut and paste several files at once but want to do it with just one hand. Don't ask why. LOL.

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isnt' there an accessibility feature called sticky keys or something built into windows? – Babu Nov 27 '11 at 5:33
Stickykeys is for shift. – soandos Nov 27 '11 at 5:38
To clarify, are looking for a function similar to CAPS LOCK, but for CTRL? – iglvzx Nov 27 '11 at 6:28
Yes, like Caps. – verve Nov 27 '11 at 6:38
Not a proper answer, but get a keyboard or mouse you can code macros into - then you can set that key to do the same thing as ctrl - z, or even do a more complex sequence of keystrokes with one press. – Journeyman Geek Nov 27 '11 at 9:04
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3 Answers

up vote 7 down vote

I assume Windows 7 still has sticky keys.

StickyKeys is an accessibility feature to help computer users who have physical disabilities... It essentially serializes keystrokes instead of pressing multiple keys at a time: StickyKeys allows the user to press and release a modifier key, such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt, or the Windows key, and have it remain active until any other key is pressed.

Just press shift 5 times in a row for a dialogue to enable.

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Windows 7 does have StickyKeys. :) – iglvzx Nov 27 '11 at 5:52
@iglvzx Awesome! :-) – PriceChild Nov 27 '11 at 5:52
I thought that OP would need to press it again for every file. – screener Nov 27 '11 at 6:04
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I use Sticky Keys already but I have to press it each time before copying a file. Looking for a one press solution. – verve Nov 27 '11 at 6:41
Oh you mean you want to ctrl+c a file, ctrl+c a second file, then ctrl+v paste both somewhere? If so, that's not the way the clipboard works. @surfasb has the best answer. – PriceChild Nov 28 '11 at 9:10
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up vote 2 down vote

You can try turning on checkboxes in Explorer. You can then click the checkboxes to select files.

enter image description here

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But then I will have to check off each file with the mouse, right. Trying to avoid too much clickity-clackety. wink – verve Nov 27 '11 at 22:39
@verve: You can also use the Arrow Keys and then <kbd>Space</kbd> to check them off. It doesn't get much more hands free than this. Well short of Voice Commands. – surfasb Nov 28 '11 at 1:34
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up vote 0 down vote

What about ignoring the mouse and using only the keyboard to do this?

  • To make a non-contiguous selection: Use the arrow keys to move to the first file you want to select. Now, hold Ctrl and continue using the arrow keys to move to the files you want and press Space to select each one.
  • To make a contiguous (range) selection: As above, use the arrow keys to move to the first file you want to select, then hold Ctrl and use the arrow keys to move to the last file in the range. Now let go of Ctrl and press Shift+Space.

You can also combine the mouse and keyboard, e.g. click the first file you want to select, now hold Shift and click the last file and you'll get a contiguous selection.

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Very useful for a mouse-free experience. Thanks but right now I wabt a one hand solution. – verve Nov 27 '11 at 22:45
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