Scroll lock
Encyclopedia
Scroll lock is a keyboard button (often with an associated status light) on some computer keyboard
s. The key is not frequently used and therefore some keyboards lack Scroll Lock altogether.
The Scroll Lock key was meant to lock all scrolling techniques, and is a remnant from the original IBM PC keyboard
, though it is not used by most modern-day software. In the original design, Scroll Lock was intended to modify the behavior of the arrow keys
. When the Scroll Lock mode was on, the arrow keys would scroll
the contents of a text window instead of moving the cursor
. In this usage, Scroll Lock is a toggling lock key
like Num Lock
or Caps Lock
, which have a state that persists after the key is released.
Today, this particular use of Scroll Lock is rare. Only a few modern programs still honor this behavior, such as Lotus Notes, Forté Agent
, FL Studio
, Renoise
and Microsoft Excel
. Most GUI
environments neglect Scroll Lock, which means scrolling must be accomplished with a computer mouse, using means such as scrollbar
s or scroll wheel
s. Therefore, the Scroll Lock key is little used in almost all current programs and operating systems.
The indicator light is also sometimes used in certain applications, as well as Keyboard Layout
Indicator in some Linux distributions (like Ubuntu
) because doing so is less likely to cause problems than manipulating other keys/lights.
In Microsoft Windows 2000 and later, a registry setting can be changed to enable a debugging feature that allows the user to manually crash the system, generating a memory dump for analysis. Once set, the user can hold the Ctrl key and tap the Scroll Lock key twice to trigger a BSOD
.
Keyboard (computing)
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
s. The key is not frequently used and therefore some keyboards lack Scroll Lock altogether.
The Scroll Lock key was meant to lock all scrolling techniques, and is a remnant from the original IBM PC keyboard
IBM PC keyboard
The keyboards for IBM PC compatible computers are standardized. However, during the 3-plus decades of PC architecture being constantly updated, multiple types of keyboard layout variations have been developed....
, though it is not used by most modern-day software. In the original design, Scroll Lock was intended to modify the behavior of the arrow keys
Arrow keys
Cursor movement keys or arrow keys are buttons on a computer keyboard that are either programmed or designated to move the cursor in a specified direction....
. When the Scroll Lock mode was on, the arrow keys would scroll
Scrolling
In computer graphics, filmmaking, television production, and other kinetic displays, scrolling is sliding text, images or video across a monitor or display. "Scrolling", as such, does not change the layout of the text or pictures, or but incrementally moves the user's view across what is...
the contents of a text window instead of moving the cursor
Cursor (computers)
In computing, a cursor is an indicator used to show the position on a computer monitor or other display device that will respond to input from a text input or pointing device. The flashing text cursor may be referred to as a caret in some cases...
. In this usage, Scroll Lock is a toggling lock key
Lock key
LOCK is a function that locks part of a keyboard keys depending on the lock settings selected.Most keyboards have three different types of lock functions:*Number Lock – Num Lock*Capital Lock – Caps Lock...
like Num Lock
Num lock
Num Lock is a key on the numeric keypad of most computer keyboards. It is a toggle key, like Caps Lock and Scroll Lock. Its state is commonly represented by an LED light built into the keyboard....
or Caps Lock
Caps lock
Caps lock is a key on many computer keyboards. Pressing it sets an input mode in which typed letters are uppercase by default. The keyboard remains in caps lock mode until the key is pressed again...
, which have a state that persists after the key is released.
Today, this particular use of Scroll Lock is rare. Only a few modern programs still honor this behavior, such as Lotus Notes, Forté Agent
Forté Agent
Forté Agent is an email and Usenet news client used on the Windows operating system. Agent was conceived, designed and developed by Mark Sidell and the team at Forté Internet Software in 1994 to address the need for an online/offline newsreader which capitalized on the emerging Windows GUI framework...
, FL Studio
FL Studio
FL Studio is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer...
, Renoise
Renoise
Renoise is a contemporary digital audio workstation based upon the heritage and development of tracker software. Its primary use is the composition of music using sound samples, soft synths, and effects plug-ins. It is also able to interface with MIDI and OSC equipment...
and Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
. Most GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
environments neglect Scroll Lock, which means scrolling must be accomplished with a computer mouse, using means such as scrollbar
Scrollbar
A scrollbar is an object in a graphical user interface with which continuous text, pictures or anything else can be scrolled including time in video applications, i.e., viewed even if it does not fit into the space in a computer display, window, or viewport...
s or scroll wheel
Scroll wheel
A scroll wheel is a hard plastic or rubbery disc on a computer mouse that is perpendicular to the mouse surface. It is normally located between the left and right mouse buttons.- Functionality :...
s. Therefore, the Scroll Lock key is little used in almost all current programs and operating systems.
Other uses
Because the key is otherwise rarely used, programs that tie into other software often use it to prevent issues arising from both programs using the same key.The indicator light is also sometimes used in certain applications, as well as Keyboard Layout
Keyboard layout
A keyboard layout is any specific mechanical, visual, or functional arrangement of the keys, legends, or key–meaning associations of a computer, typewriter, or other typographic keyboard....
Indicator in some Linux distributions (like Ubuntu
Ubuntu (operating system)
Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
) because doing so is less likely to cause problems than manipulating other keys/lights.
In Microsoft Windows 2000 and later, a registry setting can be changed to enable a debugging feature that allows the user to manually crash the system, generating a memory dump for analysis. Once set, the user can hold the Ctrl key and tap the Scroll Lock key twice to trigger a BSOD
Blue Screen of Death
To forse a BSOD Open regedit.exe,Then search: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\i8042prt\ParametersThen make a new DWORD called "CrashOnCtrlScroll" And set the value to 1....
.