Important to note the relationship between Microsoft and PC OEMs. The same time period that introduced the Windows key (late 90s) was also one in which some (Be

Important to note the relationship between Microsoft and PC OEMs. The same time period that introduced the Windows key (late 90s) was also one in which some (Be Inc.?) accused Microsoft of having anticompetitive practices in their contracts with OEMs, such as charging for Windows licenses even if a machine was not pre installed with Windows. Forcing adoption of the Windows key seems right in line with that. I remember Linux advocates being very irritated by the sudden introduction of that key. If you got a PC in 1996, no windows logo on the keyboard. By 1998 they all had it.