Scroll Lock
Keyboard's appendix key
Scroll Lock is a key on computer keyboards that originally toggled whether arrow keys moved the cursor or scrolled the screen.
The function dates to early IBM PCs and DOS applications.
In modern computing, Scroll Lock rarely does anything—most programs ignore it entirely.
A few spreadsheet applications still honor the original behavior, and some specialty software repurposes the key.
It remains on keyboards largely as a vestige.
Lock-opening device
- toggleTwo-position switch
- indicatorSign revealing status
- LEDSemiconductor that glows
- function keyProgrammable keyboard button
No longer in use
- deprecatedFormally advised against using
- vestigialReduced, without current function
- relicPreserved ancient object
- anachronisticWrongly placed in time
DOS · terminal · mainframe · IBM PC · vintage computing · backward compatibility · historical · legacy support
key
Lock-opening device
function key · modifier · Print Screen · key switch · keyboard shortcut
obsolete
No longer in use
- deprecatedFormally advised against using
- vestigialReduced, without current function
- relicPreserved ancient object
anachronistic · DOS · terminal · mainframe · IBM PC · vintage computing · backward compatibility · historical · legacy support · retro computing
freeze
Become solid from cold