Bill Gates: Control-Alt-Delete Was A Bad Idea

Bill Gates says control-alt-delete was a mistake. Although he finally admits the three-button combination was a bad idea, he does not take blame for the decision.

According to Gates, he would have preferred one button rather than a combination of three. He blames engineer David Bradley for inventing control-alt-delete.

Bradley designed the combination to reboot a system. However, Microsoft Windows eventually required control-alt-delete to log in. Gates says the intention was to prevent bypassing the login prompt.

As reported by The Verge, control-alt-delete can still be used to access task manager in Windows 8. Some machines running Windows 7 and XP still require the combination to log in.

As reported by Geek Wire, Bradley says it was never intended to be used to log in. In an interview, he admits creating the combination. However, he says Gates is the one who “made it famous.”

Bill Gates admitted another regret early this year. He and CEO Steve Ballmer both say Microsoft missed the opportunity to score big with cell phones.

Ballmer says the main focus in the early 2000s was on Windows Vista. He now admits tunnel vision caused Microsoft to miss opportunities in cell phone advancement.

Gates says Microsoft did not “miss cellphones.” However, he admits that their focus on Windows “didn’t allow [them] to get the leadership” in the market.

As Ballmer prepares to retire, Microsoft must now find a replacement CEO. The new CEO will be tasked with helping the software company advance their standing in the mobile market.

Gates discussed the control-alt-delete issue with David Rubenstein. The discussion was part of a celebration to launch the Harvard Campaign.

During the talk, Gates also discussed founding Microsoft, meeting his wife, and his work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The audience seemed surprised and amused that Bill Gates finally admitted control-alt-delete was a bad idea.

[Image via Flickr]