So I hung up. Launching the command prompt (cmd) and other apps using keyboard shortcuts is the fastest way to launch them as administrator. But a new one to me was the “Windows key and R” scam. He tried calling back but I hung up. I looked up what Winkey and R does. He will tell you something on the screen is actually a virus and then offer to transfer you to someone who can help you. I think you need to be on an administrator account for the shield icon to appear. Thanks. Ctrl+Windows logo key + F. Search for computers (if you're on a network) Windows logo key + L. Lock your computer or switch users. In the end, they will install a Virus on your computer and charge you to fix something not broken. After posting I read another site where the guy described exactly what happened to him when he tried to cancel the purchase. They eliminated some of his programs and then eliminated his internet driver. all of them are working. The Google search shows that many other people have been targeted by this scam, and it's probably not just being perpetrated by the one person. Then imagine my horror when the phone rang and I was told that my computer had been identified by Microsoft as transmitting malware. That when he told me I would get a busy signal and could not call him back. Is your windows key functioning properly? I received a call this evening from a very pushy fellow who asked me to do the very same thing as Renee and Tiffany with the Windows + R keys. The last two days I have received 6 calls from this jerk and a female asking me if I remembered them from a previous call, I then got into a name calling shouting match with them because I would not go to my computer and do as they said. (this from partial notes I took while talking to him) Then they showed me how they were fixing my computer and pointed out a couple of The command prompt (aka CMD), regedit, and other core Windows applications normally need to be ran with Administrator access. Alternatively referred to as the winkey or WK, the Windows key is a key found on IBM compatible keyboards used with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Windows logo key + R: Win+R: Open Run dialog box. But in my initial panic that didn’t immediately occur to me LOL. Thanks, THANK. Just got the same call, when I asked him what he was wanting me to do and why he got real pushy and mad and started telling me to act like a man. So Far no phone calls. Watch out! Windows logo key + R. Open the Run dialog box… If you want the current key in use on your PC, NirSoft’s ProduKey is a good graphical tool for finding it. 1 Important But Unpleasant Concept to Master for Becoming a Professional Blogger, 3 Ways to Build a Health and Wellness Retirement Business. Windows logo key + Tab: Win+Tab But these are computer savvy people who know enough about being online to be wary and to post warnings in forums etc. For more details, please read our, How-To Remove That Annoying YouTube Bottom Bar “Feature”. In Windows tapping the key brings up the start menu. Hello i just came across your site from Google but got a wierd popup about cat hospitals which is obviously not related to your website. Use Windows Key + R To Quickly Launch Apps As Administrator. Hi, I’ve had exactly the same problem. We use cookies for analytics, ads and session management. In case you hadn't come across it either, let me tell you what happened a couple of days ago. He wanted me to try again but I said I had to put him on hold as I had a customer. They had my address and land line number! I got that same phone call today. She kept telling me not to worry but I hung up on her. We're probably all familiar with email scams suggesting we send our bank details to receive lottery prizes, collect unclaimed inheritances and all manner of other scams. Exciting retirement business opportunities here. All shortcuts work, I am admin (domain AND local) but it is not showing. /shrug. I just got that suspicious phone call today. The caller said he needed to speak to the IT person and when I said he was at lunch the guy got angry with me, said I was wasting his time and put the phone down. You did all of it with just the keyboard. This does not work… Required fields are marked *. Heavy India accent said he was from Microsoft and I was being hacked. then do an update and restart the computer. items that were “RED” after the scrolling was finished. However, on Windows 10 you can press Windows key, then start typing what you want to run, and if it comes up, and is selected, then you press Ctrl+Shift+Enter, then it will run as administrator. Most people in the discussion above realized what was going on and just “played with” the caller, not taking it any further. The steps above will work using Windows 7 and later. +L = Lock PC. Very Persistent he was. I was thinking how well it had gone on my first full day using the new one. When it’s on, it won’t show that text (and won’t run things with admin privs). Old stuff, I know, but I don;t see this info in enough places: Win+R will show ‘This task .. administrative priviliges’ when UAC is completely off. I didn’t/don’t think Microsoft works that way so I told him I would call him back. The WIN+R key will open the run box. How did you resolved it? I had no intentions of typing any commands so I said I had an IT person (my son, although I didn't tell him that!) Win+R just opens the run dialogscreen but without the admin rights. She asked me to press the windows key and R. I did not do this and told her I would check it out on my own. 1. He asked what I saw on the screen, again I said I saw nothing. Can't afford the start-up cost? Personally I use the free Microsoft Security Essentials software to do regular scans of my PC. Hold down the Windows Key and Press R on your keyboard. Posted by Joy Healey | Nov 22, 2013 | Life! Pressing the Windows key by itself opens the Start menu. I don’t see the shield icon and text “This task will …” when hitting . I'm still not sure, to be honest. Ctrl+Esc performs the same function, in case the keyboard lacks this key. I knew it was a scam but I was curious of the type. Guesswork suggests that at the simplest it could be someone trying to frighten PC owners into buying anti-virus software or “security services”. I got a suspicious phone call tonight that was very similar. After typing CMD, press and hold CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER – this will run the program with Administrator privileges. A phone scam group uses Windows key + R to get you to run programs as administrator. Windows logo key + P: Win+P: Cycle through Presentation Mode.