Windows system key combinations
- F1: Help
- CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu
- ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs
- ALT+F4: Quit program
- SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently
Back to the topWindows program key combinations
- CTRL+C: Copy
- CTRL+X: Cut
- CTRL+V: Paste
- CTRL+Z: Undo
- CTRL+B: Bold
- CTRL+U: Underline
- CTRL+I: Italic
Mouse click/keyboard modifier combinations for shell objects
- SHIFT+right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commands
- SHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu)
- ALT+double click: Displays properties
- SHIFT+DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin
General keyboard-only commands
- F1: Starts Windows Help
- F10: Activates menu bar options
- SHIFT+F10 Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-clicking an object
- CTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item)
- CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu)
- ALT+DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list box
- ALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window)
- SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run feature
- ALT+SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)
- ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window)
- CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program
- ALT+underlined letter in menu: Opens the menu
- ALT+F4: Closes the current window
- CTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window
- ALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the Notepad Find dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepad window)
Shell objects and general folder/Windows Explorer shortcuts
For a selected object:- F2: Rename object
- F3: Find all files
- CTRL+X: Cut
- CTRL+C: Copy
- CTRL+V: Paste
- SHIFT+DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin
- ALT+ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object
To copy a file
Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.To create a shortcut
Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.General folder/shortcut control
- F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer)
- F5: Refreshes the current window.
- F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer
- CTRL+G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only)
- CTRL+Z: Undo the last command
- CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window
- BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder
- SHIFT+click+Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders
Windows Explorer tree control
- Numeric Keypad *: Expands everything under the current selection
- Numeric Keypad +: Expands the current selection
- Numeric Keypad -: Collapses the current selection.
- RIGHT ARROW: Expands the current selection if it is not expanded, otherwise goes to the first child
- LEFT ARROW: Collapses the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent
Properties control
- CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move through the property tabs
Accessibility shortcuts
- Press SHIFT five times: Toggles StickyKeys on and off
- Press down and hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds: Toggles FilterKeys on and off
- Press down and hold the NUM LOCK key for five seconds: Toggles ToggleKeys on and off
- Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK: Toggles MouseKeys on and off
- Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN: Toggles high contrast on and off
Microsoft Natural Keyboard keys
- Windows Logo: Start menu
- Windows Logo+R: Run dialog box
- Windows Logo+M: Minimize all
- SHIFT+Windows Logo+M: Undo minimize all
- Windows Logo+F1: Help
- Windows Logo+E: Windows Explorer
- Windows Logo+F: Find files or folders
- Windows Logo+D: Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop
- CTRL+Windows Logo+F: Find computer
- CTRL+Windows Logo+TAB: Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray (use RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and the system tray)
- Windows Logo+TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttons
- Windows Logo+Break: System Properties dialog box
- Application key: Displays a shortcut menu for the selected item
Microsoft Natural Keyboard with IntelliType software installed
- Windows Logo+L: Log off Windows
- Windows Logo+P: Starts Print Manager
- Windows Logo+C: Opens Control Panel
- Windows Logo+V: Starts Clipboard
- Windows Logo+K: Opens Keyboard Properties dialog box
- Windows Logo+I: Opens Mouse Properties dialog box
- Windows Logo+A: Starts Accessibility Options (if installed)
- Windows Logo+SPACEBAR: Displays the list of Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys
- Windows Logo+S: Toggles CAPS LOCK on and off
Dialog box keyboard commands
- TAB: Move to the next control in the dialog box
- SHIFT+TAB: Move to the previous control in the dialog box
- SPACEBAR: If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a check box, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option.
- ENTER: Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline)
- ESC: Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button
- ALT+underlined letter in dialog box item: Move to the corresponding item
APPLIES TO
- Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
- Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
- Windows Server 2008 Standard
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
- Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
- Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows 95
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows Vista Enterprise
- Windows Vista Home Basic
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- Windows Vista Starter
- Windows Vista Ultimate
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- Microsoft Windows XP Starter Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Keyboard Shortcuts
When speed counts, the keyboard is still king. Almost all the actions and commands you can perform with a mouse you can perform faster using combinations of keys on your keyboard. These simple keyboard shortcuts can get you where you want to go faster than several clicks of a mouse. You'll work faster on spreadsheets and similar documents, too, because you won't lose your place switching back and forth between mouse and keys.
Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts:
Copy. CTRL+C
Cut. CTRL+X
Paste. CTRL+V
Undo. CTRL+Z
Delete. DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin. SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item. F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all. CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder. F3
View properties for the selected item. ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program. ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously. CTRL+F4
Switch between open items. ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened. ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu. CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu. ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command. Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program. F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu. RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu. LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task. ESC
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:
Move forward through tabs. CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options. TAB
Move backward through options. SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button. ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box. SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display Help. F1
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE
If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:
Display or hide the Start menu.
Display the System Properties dialog box. +BREAK
Show the desktop. +D
Minimize all windows. +M
Restores minimized windows. +Shift+M
Open My Computer. +E
Search for a file or folder. +F
Search for computers. CTRL+ +F
Display Windows Help. +F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. + L
Open the Run dialog box. +R
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Open Utility Manager. +U
Helpful accessibility keyboard shortcuts:
Switch FilterKeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager. +U
Keyboard shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer:
Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW
Keyboard Shortcuts Instead of Mouse
Many RSI sufferers report that they feel less pain when typing compared to when mousing. Thus, a desire to avoid mouse as much as possible. Below are some tips from
on how to survive in Windows 95 without the mouse. More tips are welcome.
Keyboard instead of mouse -- some tips, for Windows 95
by Susan Fulton (New York Times)
ALT+ SPACEBAR--opens control menu (like clicking on the symbol in the top
left corner of a window, from which you select (perhaps using mouse,
perhaps using arrow keys and enter) among restore, minimize, maximize,
close, etc)
SPACEBAR -- hitting this will finalize a selection of an item in a list or
an icon on the screen that's only half- selected, i.e., there's a box
around the name but full highlighting is not there. Also puts a checkmark
or big dot in a little box or circle for you to check one of several options.
ENTER -- will activate a selected item. Hitting Enter with a program icon
selected will open the program. with a button highlighted, will activate
the "button." It appears highlighted from the heavier line around it, or it
might look like a depressed button.
Hitting a letter key will take you to the first item in a dialogue box that
begins with that letter. I.E., in open file dialogue box, hit w one or more
times to go to the "Windows" folder in the list of stuff that appears on
the C drive. This can save a whole lot of hand action.
CTRL+z -- undo
CTRL+y -- redo
CTRL+a -- select all
CTRL+x --cut
CTRL+c --copy
CTRL+v --paste
CTRL+p – print
CTRL+s --save
CTRL+ALT+DEL--reboots the computer – eventually. First, it'll tell you
what's hung up.
CTRL+esc-- same as clicking on the "start button" in the taskbar area of
the screen
ALT+F4 shuts down the selected program.
TAB--VERY USEFUL. takes you from one field to another, one "button" to
another, one icon to another etc.
SHIFT+TAB -- it tabs you backward
HOME – to beginning of line or far left of field or screen.
END --to end of line, or far right of field or screen.
CTRL+home -- to the top
CTRL+END -- to the bottom
PAGE UP -- moves you up in your document or dialogue box by one page
PAGE DOWN -- moves you down in your document or dialogue list by one page
ARROW KEYS--these will move you about the screen or dialogue box, or menu,
not just a document. Modifier keys like CTRL and SHIFT when pressed at same
time as arrow keys or page up and page down will perform selection and
larger movements. For instance, CTRL + right arrow jumps to next word, and
SHIFT+CTRL+RIGHT ARROW selects the whole word.
ESC -- to cancel, or get rid of something like box or window that popped up
when you didn't want it (or if you change your mind) etc.
ALT + the underlined letter in a menu item carries out the action.
SHIFT+F10—like right click, brings up context menu
ALT+TAB—cycles through open applications
[ALT] + down arrow--opens up a "Drop down list" -those little arrows that
sit next to fields in which you must make a choice, for instance in the
"Look in" field of an "Open" dialogue box.
[ALT] + TAB --holding down the [ALT] and hitting tab cycles you
through open applications.
Thus, to sign off windows 95: CTRL+ESC, UP, ENTER, ENTER.
[Hot and Other Keys]
*General folder / Windows Explorer shortcuts for a selected object:
Keys Action
-----------------------------------------------------------------
F2 Rename
F3 Find
CTRL+X, C, or V Cut, Copy, or Paste
SHIFT+DELETE Delete immediately without putting the file
in Recycle Bin
ALT+ENTER Properties
ALT+double-click Properties
CTRL+right-click Put alternative verbs on the context menu
(Open With)
SHIFT+double-click Explore the object if it has an Explore
command
CTRL+drag a file to a
folder Copy a file
CTRL+SHIFT+drag a
file to the desktop
or a folder Create a shortcut
CTRL+ESC,ESC,TAB,SHIFT+F10
Open taskbar properties
[General control over folders/Windows Explorer]
F4 (Explorer) Displays the combo box
F5 Refresh
F6 Switches between panes in Windows Explorer
CTRL+G(Windows
Explorer) Goto
CTRL+Z Undo
CTRL+A Select all
BACKSPACE Goes to the parent folder
SHIFT+Closes this folder and all its parent folders
[In Windows Explorer]
Num* Expands everything under selection
Num- Expands selection
Num+ or Right arrow Collapses selection
Right arrow Expands current selection if it's collapsed;
otherwise goes to the first child.
Left arrow Collapses current selection if it's expanded;
otherwise goes to the parent
[In Properties]
CTRL+TAB or
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB Switches between Properties tabs
[In Open/Save Common Dialog Boxes]
F4 Drop down the location list
F5 Refresh the view
Backspace Go to parent folder if focus is on view window
[General Keyboard-Only Commands]
F1 Help
F10 Goes to menu mode
SHIFT+F10 Context menu for selected item
CTRL+ESC Brings up Start menu
CTRL+ESC, ESC Focus on the Start button
SHIFT+F10 Context menu
ALT+TAB Switch to the running program
SHIFT while
inserting CD Bypasses auto-run
Alt+M when focus
is on taskbar Minimizes all windows
[Accessibility Shortcuts]
Tap SHIFT 5 times Toggles StickyKeys on/off
Hold down Right
SHIFT for 8 seconds Toggles FilterKeys on/off
Hold down NumLock
for 5 seconds Toggles ToggleKeys on/off
Left ALT+LEFT+SHIFT
+NumLock Toggles MouseKeys on/off
Left ALT+LEFT+SHIFT
+PrintScreen Toggles HighContrast on/off
[MS Natural Keyboard]
Win+R Run dialog
Win+M Minimize All
Shift-Win+M Undo Minimize All
Win+F1 Windows Help
Win+E Explorer
Win+F Find Files or Folders
CTRL+Win+F Find Computer
Win+Tab Cycle through taskbar buttons
Win+Break PSS Hotkey... (System properties
