Microsoft Windows Shortcut Keys

September 20, 2008 in , , , , with 2 Comments

Shortcut Keys 3.x 95 98 ME NT 2000 XP Vista Description
Alt + Tab X X X X X X X X Switch between open applications.
Alt + Shift + Tab X X X X X X X X Switch backwards between open applications.
Alt + double-click X X X X X X X Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.
Ctrl + Tab X X X X X X X X Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab X X X X X X X X Same as above but backwards.
Alt + Print Screen X X X X X X X X Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.
Ctrl + Alt + Del X X X X X X X X Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.
Ctrl + Esc X X X X X X X X Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.
Alt + Esc   X X X X X X X Switch Between open applications on taskbar.
F1 X X X X X X X X Activates help for current open application.
F2 X X X X X X X X Renames selected Icon.
F3   X X X X X X X Starts find from desktop.
F4   X X X X X X X Opens the drive selection when browsing.
F5   X X X X X X X Refresh Contents.
F10 X X X X X X X X Activates menu bar.
Shift + F10   X X X X X X X Simulates right-click on selected item.
F4   X X X X X X X Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar.
Alt + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Current open program.
Ctrl + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Window in Program.
F6   X X X X X X X Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane.
Ctrl + Space bar X X X X X X X X Drops down the window control menu.
Ctrl + (the ‘+’ key on the keypad)     X X X X X X Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer
Alt + Enter   X X X X X X X Opens properties window of selected icon or program.
Shift + Del   X X X X X X X Delete programs/files without throwing them into therecycle bin.
Holding Shift X X X X X X X X Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting.
Holding Shift   X X X X X X X When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.
Enter X X X X X X X X Activates the highlighted program.
Alt + Down arrow   X X X X X X X Display all available options on drop down menu.
* (on the keypad)   X X X X X X X Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer.
+ (on the keypad)   X X X X X X X Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
- (on the keypad)   X X X X X X X Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
 Left alt + shift + Print Screen             x  x   Converts your screen to High contrast mode. Try it, it is fun!
Shortcut Keys Description
WINKEY Pressing the Windows key alone will open Start.
WINKEY + F1 Opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
WINKEY + F3 Opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
WINKEY + D  Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
WINKEY + M Minimizes all windows.
WINKEY + SHIFT + M Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.
WINKEY + E Open Microsoft Explorer.
WINKEY + Tab Cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
WINKEY + F Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
WINKEY + CTRL + F  Display the search for computers window.
WINKEY + F1 Display the Microsoft Windows help.
WINKEY + R Open the run window.
WINKEY + Pause / Break key  Open the system properties window.
WINKEY + U Open Utility Manager.
WINKEY + L Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).

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2 Responses to “Microsoft Windows Shortcut Keys”

  1. James September 20, 2008 at 7:28 pm #

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