Ignore repeated keystrokes

In Windows XP, one can instruct the computer to ignore repeated keystrokes by turning on the FilterKeys option. In addition, by using the Advance settings for FilterKeys dialog box, one can set the time before a key press is accepted. This is very helpful for users with mobility disabilities, who might unintentionally press a key due to low or no control over their hand movements.

To ignore repeated keystrokes and set the time before a key press is accepted, do the following:

1. Click on the Start button and select Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears.
2. In Control panel, ensure that Classic view is selected. (All Control Panel icons are visible.) To switch to Classic view, click on Switch to Classic View from the left pane of the Control panel window.
3. Double-click the Accessibility Options icon. The Accessibility Options dialog box appears.
4. On the Keyboard tab, in the FilterKeys section, select the Use FilterKeys check box and then click on the Settings button. The Settings for FilterKeys dialog box appears.
5. Under the Filter options section, select the Ignore repeated keystrokes radio button option.
   
   Enlarge Settings for FilterKeys dialog box image (Opens in a New Window)
6. Click on the Settings button under the Filter options section. The Advance settings for FilterKeys dialog box appears.
7. From the Ignore keystrokes repeated faster than: combo box, select the amount of time for which you want the computer to ignore repeated keystrokes.
   
   Enlarge Advance settings for FilterKeys dialog box image (Opens in a New Window)
8. Click on the OK button to close the Advance settings for FilterKeys dialog box.
9. Click on the OK button to close the Settings for FilterKeys dialog box.
10. Click on the Apply button and then click on the OK button to close the Accessibility options dialog box.

Thus the computer will ignore repeated keystrokes for the amount of time you specified in the Advance settings for FilterKeys dialog box.

Try It Yourself

To find out how this works, let’s perform a small exercise:

1. From the Ignore keystrokes repeated faster than: combo box, select 2.0 seconds in the
   Advance settings for FilterKeys dialog box.
2. Click on the start button and select the Run… option.
3. In the Run dialog box type www.google.com.

Did you notice that while typing the URL, the computer ignored www when typed in quick succession?

The computer will ignore the letter 'w' when pressed in quick succession for the amount of time specified (which is 2 seconds) before accepting the next key press.

Related links

Windows XP allows users to adjust different FilterKeys settings including:

• Page 1: Activate FilterKeys
• Page 2: Use keyboard shortcut to turn on FilterKeys
• Page 3: Ignore repeated keystrokes
• Page 4: Set the key repeat rate
• Page 5: Set the key acceptance rate
• Page 6: Make sound when a key is pressed or accepted
• Page 7: Display FilterKeys status on screen