Small registry wonders in Windows: CrashOnCtrlScroll

Even though I've used Windows since version 3.0, there are still plenty of things in the operating system I haven't heard of previously. On such area is the registry where thousands of keys affect the way to operating system works. On of such keys is named CrashOnCtrlScroll. By adding such a key to the registry (location below), you can hold down the right Ctrl key, and press the Scroll Lock key twice, the operating system will halt and produce a blue screen.

The registry key you need is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\
Services\i8042prt\Parameters\CrashOnCtrlScroll

Add this key as a type of REG_DWORD, and set the value to 1. Then restart your computer.

Once this registry key is set and you press the key combination, you will see a blue screen with the code 0xE2, MANUALLY_INITIATED_CRASH. Not that you would need this feature very often, but it's nonetheless interesting. In case you are wondering why this feature exists, the reason is that it can help in debugging device drivers and testing new hardware on Windows.

Happy hacking!