Set the key acceptance rate

In Windows XP, we can set the time key needs to be held down before being accepted as a valid key press. In other words, we can slow down the key acceptance rate. This concept is commonly known as SlowKeys. This feature is very helpful for users with mobility disabilities who have the tendency to press and hold down a key for longer duration.

To set the key acceptance rate in Windows XP, 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 quick keystrokes and slow down the repeat rate 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. Under the Slow keys section, from the Keys must be held down for: combo box, select the time one needs to hold down a key before it can be accepted as a keystroke.
   
   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 users with mobility disabilities and senior citizens can slow down the key acceptance rate of their computer and work effectively.

Try it yourself

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

1. From the Keys must be held down for: combo box select 1.4 seconds as the time that a key needs to be held down before being accepted.
2. Activate the Start menu by pressing the Windows Logo key.

Did you notice that by just pressing the Windows logo key, Start menu does not get activated? This was because as per the key acceptance rate previously specified, you need to hold down the Windows logo key for 1.4 seconds in order for the key press to be accepted.

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