What is the function of the escape key ?

Keyboards have several special-purpose keys that do not type letters or numbers but instead send specific commands to the computer or the program currently running.

The Escape key, usually labelled "Esc" and placed at the top-left corner of the keyboard, is used to interrupt, stop, or cancel whatever action or process is currently underway. For example, pressing Escape can close a pop-up dialogue box, cancel a menu that has been opened, stop a file from being renamed midway, or exit certain full-screen modes, all without needing to complete the action.

Shutting down the computer is normally done through the operating system's power menu, not the Escape key. Starting an application is usually done by double-clicking an icon or using a dedicated shortcut, and deleting a file or folder is done using the Delete key or a specific menu command, none of which is the Escape key's role.

Exam tip: remember Escape by its everyday meaning, "getting out of" or "cancelling" whatever is currently happening on screen, rather than starting, deleting, or shutting anything down.