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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.

Either way, I am curious if there is an official reason, and if that reason has any actual merit.

Thanks!

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This is a well known key sequence by every Windows users – Kami Nov 19 '09 at 9:39
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Before that, it was a well known key sequence for every MS-DOS user – Kevin Panko Dec 17 '09 at 0:28
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This is the same as this Server Fault question: How does CTRL-ALT-DEL to log in make Windows more secure?.

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Ah, looks like it. Thanks. – Jim McKeeth Oct 28 '09 at 2:19
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I'd love to know how you successfully hooked C-A-D in Windows.

The ServerFault answers are pretty good. As to why the C-A-D sequence is the Secure Attention Sequence, it's because every other possible combination of keys was used by some app.

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