Problem solved.

The problem with key combinations like these is that Windows picks them up and deals with them so your VB app never sees them.

Insert filler text here.

There may be an API function that allows your app to hook into the key buffer before windows can get to it. I've never looked so I don't know... Why do you want to mess around with fundamental things like this? Personally I dislike using programs that mess around with the standard way the os works. What if your app hangs, the user won't be able to ditch it using ctrl-alt-del?