Topic outline

  • General

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    Keyboard Shortcuts

    in Windows


    Often it can be useful to use shortcuts to carry out common tasks rather than using the mouse. We've supplied a list of common ones to get you started, though this is by no way exhaustive.

    Other Training courses can be found in the Training Category

  • Topic 1

    General Keyboard shortcuts
    • CTRL+C (Copy)
    • CTRL+X (Cut)
    • CTRL+V (Paste)
    • CTRL+Z (Undo)
    • DELETE (Delete)
    • SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
    • CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
    • CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
    • F2 key (Rename the selected item)
    • CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
    • CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
    • CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
    • CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
    • CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
    • SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
    • CTRL+A (Select all)
    • F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
    • ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
    • ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
    • ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
    • ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
    • CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
    • ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
    • ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
    • F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
    • F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
    • SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
    • ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
    • CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
    • ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
    • Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
    • F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
    • RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
    • LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
    • F5 key (Update the active window)
    • BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
    • ESC (Cancel the current task)
    • SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
    • CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

  • Topic 2

    Microsoft Natural Keyboard Shortcuts
    • Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
    • Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
    • Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
    • Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
    • Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
    • Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
    • Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
    • CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
    • Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
    • Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
    • Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
    • Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

  • Topic 3

    Accessibility keyboard shortcuts
    • Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
    • Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
    • Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
    • SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
    • NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
    • Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

  • Topic 4

    Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation
    • CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
    • CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
    • CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
    • CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
    • CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
    • CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
    • CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
    • CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
    • CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
    • CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
    • CTRL+W (Close the current window)