The key combination in Windows that enables a user to terminate an unresponsive application. When all three keys are pressed at the same time, the Task Manager utility is launched, which displays all open applications. It also enables the user to reboot the computer.

First used in DOS PCs to reboot the computer, the keystrokes were chosen by IBM in 1981 to ensure that users did not reboot accidentally. The Del key is at the opposite end of the keyboard from the Ctrl and Alt keys. See Command-Option-Escape and Win Task Manager.

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