Control-Alt-Delete is one of those shortcuts we’ve been using on our Windows based computer for ages thinking this is how things were meant to be from the beginning. Apparently, that is not the case according to Microsoft chairman and co-founder, Bill Gates. The big man said the keyboard shortcut was a mistake and that Microsoft originally wanted to incorporate Control-Alt-Del functionality into a single key.

Gates said while Microsoft wanted a single button, some IBM guy chose otherwise:

“We could have had a single button, but the guy who did the IBM keyboard design didn’t wanna give us our single button.”

Imagine how simple things would have been if we never had to use the Control-Alt-Delete keyboard shortcut ever again to turn off a PC or software. Then again, image how many people would have regularly accidentally pressed that single button.

Personally speaking, some people may feel Control-Alt-Delete is cumbersome, we don’t see it as that much of a problem now. In fact, we see it as one of the things Microsoft did right. Or rather, one of the things IBM got right for Microsoft. Microsoft got so many things wrong that are more important stuff to ponder on than a keyboard shortcut. The fact that we moved on from this “problem” without rioting in the streets is testament enough of its unimportance.

We’d prefer if Bill Gates came out and said Windows 8 was a mistake and that Windows 8.1 is here to address the flaws. Or, preferably, give us free Surface Pro 2 tablets as compensation (hey, you never know). Furthermore, how about admitting that Bing sucks. Come on Billy, what is the worst that can happen: you get kicked off the board? That may happen anyway; pull a Jobs and get revenge for them removing you as CEO.

For our American readers, too bad Control-Alt-Delete doesn’t work to restart governments!

[via CNET]