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Is there still a use for this key in modern operating systems? I know back in the days of the rapid fire dir /s on ten thousand files in DOS 5.5 this key was indispensable, but is it needed anymore? If not, can I remap it to do something else? If so, what?

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  • 1
    I use as my media Play/Pause button
    – wjdp
    Mar 22, 2015 at 15:50

8 Answers 8

Reset to default
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In Windows, Windows + Pause/Break opens up the System Properties window. Not exactly relevant to what the key was originally designed for, but still quite useful!

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  • One use was to interrupt to the command line (i.e. so it would pause/break processes). Generally we just use Ctrl+C for killing command line statements nowadays (this is also quite a relic, since it does not "copy" selected text as is otherwise the universal expectation today).
    – Elaskanator
    Dec 27, 2021 at 4:50
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The Pause/Break key can also be used during boot to pause a POST screen so you can read it before continuing. I find it useful when I'm trying to double check that something is detected properly by the BIOS.

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  • ok thats a given. I figure any remapping i do wouldn't effect that
    – NoCarrier
    Jul 24, 2009 at 21:31
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    For sure. You could remap it to anything you want without affecting its functionality at boot time.
    – Auxonic
    Jul 28, 2009 at 17:44
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Here are a couple common keyboard alternatives (please feel free to contribute to this list)

  • General -Pause
  • General -Shift + Pause
  • Lenovo - Ctrl + Fn + F11
  • Lenovo - Ctrl + Fn + B
  • Lenovo - Fn + B
  • Logitech - Fn + B
  • Samsung - Fn + B
  • HewlettPackard - Ctrl + Fn + Pause
  • HewlettPackard - Ctrl + Fn + Right-Shift
  • Dell - Fn + B
  • Framework - Fn + B
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  • Thank you. Ctrl + Fn + Pause works for Break on my Dell Precision M6800 laptop.
    – spinjector
    Nov 22, 2019 at 19:43
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    While this doesn't answer the original question, this was what I was looking for when google sent me here. Thanks. Also added to the list.
    – matli
    Jan 24, 2020 at 9:19
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    Also on Logitech Ergo K860, Fn + WM/SC (Windows Menu / scroll lock key in top right corner) works as break key. For Ctrl+Break == Ctrl+Fn+WM/SL
    – C Perkins
    May 25, 2021 at 21:50
  • Fn+B on this Dell Precision 5501 according to en.key-test.ru Adding Win opens Windows properties.
    – Cees Timmerman
    Jun 22, 2021 at 7:52
  • Both Fn + B and Fn + S also work on my Dell
    – gxtaillon
    Jan 31, 2022 at 2:41
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Windows supports remapping keys itself: howtoogeek article

Ctrl + Break is still useful on the command prompt to send a break character; but Ctrl + C is a little easier.

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If you ever have to configure equipment using a terminal emulator, you might wish you had kept the key. You need that key to halt the cisco boot process to recover the IOS or the configuration. I have had to do this to get into cisco devices people have forgotten the password on quite a few times.

Now if you never ever do this sort of thing then you have no disincentive to remap the key. I find it more practical to map key combinations that you never ever use. This is particularly the case in multi-clipboard apps I have used doing repetitive tasks.

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The command prompt still accepts this key in XP, as other OSes.

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You can remap any key to do just about anything if you install AutoHotkey.

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  • 2
    this question is not windows-specific.
    – phil294
    Jul 14, 2017 at 17:09
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ctrl+alt+break is a useful shortcut to toggle between full-screen and windowed remote desktop sessions.

ctrl+break is a useful shortcut for stopping a build in Visual Studio.

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