No Problem: Keyboard is too fast

Stop a held keystroke from producing multiple letters

Is it possible to alter the settings of a keyboard in Windows XP so that each keystroke will only produce one character and not a continuous string? My disabled granddaughter can type quite well, but tends to press each key for too long, making for lots of use of the backspace key. Is it possible to create some sort of delay or, better still, make a key operate just once per press?
Ian Cook

You’ll be pleased to hear that, for the last few versions, Windows has included software for exactly this purpose, as well as other programs that can help those who find it physically difficult to use a computer. They’re found in the Start menu, under Accessories, then Accessibility, as well as in the Control Panel, under Accessibility Options.

The one you need is called Filterkeys. Open the Control Panel, then select Accessibility Options. If you see the ‘Pick a task’ screen, click on Accessibility Options again. In the dialogue box that appears, tick the Use Filterkeys box. Click on the Settings button, and remove the tick from the ‘Use shortcut’ box. Select ‘Ignore quick keystrokes and slow down the repeat rate’, then click on Settings.

You can choose ‘No keyboard repeat’, which will, as you ask, make a key operate just once per press. Click in the Test area below and try it out to see if this works. Click on OK when you’re satisfied, then OK again, and again. Close the Control Panel. You may also find that the Accessibility Wizard is of use – you can find it in the Start menu as described above.