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 Windows Logo+L: Lock the computer (without using CTRL+ALT+DELETE)

Windows 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) CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Opens Windows Task Manager 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

Basic PC shortcut keys The below basic shortcut keys are a listing of shortcut keys that will work with almost all IBM compatible computers and software programs. It is highly recommended that all users keep a good reference of the below shortcut keys or try to memorize the below keys. Doing so will dramatically increase your productivity.

Shortcut Keys Alt + F Alt + E F1 Ctrl + A Ctrl + F Ctrl + X Shift + Del Ctrl + C Ctrl + Ins Ctrl + V Shift + Ins Ctrl + P Home Ctrl + Home End Ctrl + End Shift + Home Shift + End Ctrl + Left arrow

Description File menu options in current program. Edit options in current program

Universal Help in almost every Windows progra Select all text.

Open find window for current document or wind Cut selected item. Cut selected item. Copy selected item. Copy selected item Paste Paste Print the current page or document. Goes to beginning of current line. Goes to beginning of document. Goes to end of current line. Goes to end of document.

Highlights from current position to beginning of Highlights from current position to end of line. Moves one word to the left at a time.

Ctrl + Right arrow

Moves one word to the right at a time.

General Windows keyboard shortcuts

Alt + Tab
Switch between open applications in all versions of Windows. Reverse the direction by pressing Alt + Shift + Tab at the same time.

Ctrl + Tab
Switches between program groups, tabs, or document windows in applications that support this feature. Reverse the direction by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Tab at the same time.

Alt + double-click
Display the properties of the object you double-click on in Windows 95 and later. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.

Alt + Print Screen

Create a screen shot only for the active program window in all versions of Windows. For example, if you opened the calculator and did this only the calculator window would be created as a screen shot. If just thePrint Screen key is pressed the whole screen will be made into a screen shot.

Ctrl + Alt + Del

Open the Windows option screen for locking computer, switching user, Task Manager, etc. in later versions of Windows. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del multiple times will reboot the computer.

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Immediately bring up the Windows Task Manager in Windows 2000 and later.

Ctrl + Esc
Open the Windows Start menu in most versions of Windows. In Windows 8 this will open the Start screenand in Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.

Alt + Esc
Switch between open applications on Taskbar in Windows 95 and later.

Alt + Space bar

Drops down the window control menu for the currently open Windows program in Windows 95 and later.

Alt + Enter
Opens properties window of selected icon or program in Windows 95 and later.

Shift + Del
Will delete any file or other object without throwing it into the Recycle Bin in Windows 95 and later.

Hold down the Shift key

When putting in an audio CD or other CD that uses Autoplay, holding down the Shift key will prevent that CD from playing.

Windows function key shortcuts

Below is a listing of keyboard shortcuts that use the keyboard function keys. See our what are F1 through F12 keys page for a full listing of what function keys do with all other programs.

F1
Activates help for current open application. If you're at the Windows Desktop, this will activate the help for Windows.

F2
Renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.

F3
Starts find or search when at the Windows Desktop in all versions of Windows.

F4
In Windows 95 and later this opens the drive selection or address bar when browsing files in Windows Explorer.

Pressing Alt + F4 closes the current open program window without a prompt in all versions of Windows. Pressing Ctrl + F4 closes the open window within the current active window in Microsoft Windows. This will only work in programs that support multiple windows or tabs in the same program window.

F6
While in Windows Explorer, this will move the cursor to different Windows Explorer pane or in Windows 7 browse available drives.

F8

Pressing F8 over and over as the computer is booting will start the computer in Safe Mode.

F10
Activates the File menu bar in all versions of Windows.

Simulates a right-click on selected item. This is useful if right-click is difficult or impossible using the mouse.

Windows keyboard key shortcuts

Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft Windows 95 or later and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by "WINKEY" and because not all these shortcuts will work in all versions of Windows we've mentioned what versions of Windows support each Windows key shortcut key.
All versions of Windows

WINKEY
Pressing the Windows key alone will open or hide the Windows Start menu. In Windows 8, this will open or hide the Start screen.

WINKEY + F1
Open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.

WINKEY + Pause / Break key

Open the System Properties window.

WINKEY + D
Opens the Desktop to the top of all other windows.

WINKEY + E

Open Microsoft Windows Explorer.

WINKEY + F
Display the Windows Search or Find feature.

WINKEY + Ctrl + F
Display the search for computers window.

WINKEY + L
Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only).

WINKEY + M
Minimizes all windows.

WINKEY + Shift + M
Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.

WINKEY + R
Open the run window.

WINKEY + U
Open Utility Manager or the Ease of Access Center.
Windows XP only

WINKEY + Tab
Cycle through open programs through the Taskbar.
Windows 7 and 8 only

WINKEY + 1-0

Pressing the Windows key and any of the top row number keys from 1 to 0 will open the program corresponding to the number of icon on the Taskbar. For example, if the first icon on the Taskbar was Internet Explorer pressing WINKEY + 1 would open that program or switch to it if already open.

WINKEY + (Plus (+) or Minus (-))

Open Windows Magnifier and zoom in with the plus symbol (+) and zoom out with the minus symbol (-).

Press the WINKEY + ESC to close the Magnifier

WINKEY + Home
Minimize all windows except the active window.

WINKEY + P
Change between the monitor and projection display types or how second screen displays computer screen.

WINKEY + T
Set the focus on the Taskbar icons

WINKEY + Left arrow

Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing.

WINKEY + Right arrow

Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing.

WINKEY + Up arrow

When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size.

WINKEY + Down arrow

Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size.
Windows 8 only

WINKEY + ,
Peek at the Windows Desktop.

WINKEY + .
Snap a Windows App to the sides of the screen. Pressing it multiple times will switch between the right and left-hand side of the screen or unsnap the app.

WINKEY + Enter
Open Windows Narrator

WINKEY + C
Open the Charms.

WINKEY + G
Cycle through Desktop gadgets.

WINKEY + H
Open Share in Charms.

WINKEY + I
Open the Settings in Charms.

WINKEY + J
Switch between snapped apps.

WINKEY + K
Open Devices in Charms.

WINKEY + O
Lock the screen orientation.

WINKEY + X
Open the power user menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want to use such as Device Manager, Control Panel, Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and much more.

100 Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows) The General Shortcuts Well kickoff the list with some really general shortcuts that you often used.

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)

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts CTRL + Tab (Move forward through the tabs)

CTRL + Shift + Tab (Move backward through the tabs) Tab (Move forward through the options) Shift + Tab (Move backward through the options) Alt +Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option) Enter (Perform the command for the active option or button) Spacebar (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box) Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons) F1 key (Display Help) F4 key (Display the items in the active list) Backspace (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Shortcuts Win (Display or hide the Start menu)

Win +BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box) Win +D (Display the desktop) Win +M (Minimize all of the windows) Win + Shift +M (Restore the minimized windows) Win +E (Open My Computer) Win +F (Search for a file or a folder) CTRL + Win +F (Search for computers) Win +F1 (Display Windows Help) Win + L (Lock the keyboard) Win +R (Open the Run dialog box) Win +U (Open Utility Manager)

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) Win + U (Open Utility Manager)

Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts END (Display the bottom of the active window)

HOME (Display the top of the active window) NUM LOCK + * (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder) NUM LOCK + + (Display the contents of the selected folder)

NUM LOCK + - (Collapse the selected folder) LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder) RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Shortcut Keys For Character Map After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts:

RIGHT ARROW (Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line) LEFT ARROW (Move to the left or to the end of the previous line) UP ARROW (Move up one row) DOWN ARROW (Move down one row) PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time) PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time) HOME (Move to the beginning of the line) END (Move to the end of the line) CTRL + HOME (Move to the first character) CTRL + END (Move to the last character) Spacebar (Switch between Enlarged and Nor mal mode when a character is selected)

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Main Window Keyboard Shortcuts CTRL + O (Open a saved console)

CTRL + N (Open a new console) CTRL + S (Save the open console) CTRL + M (Add or remove a console item) CTRL + W (Close window/tab) F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)

Alt + Spacebar (Display the MMC window menu) Alt + F4 (Close the console) Alt + A (Display the Action menu) Alt + V (Display the View menu) Alt + F (Display the File menu) Alt + O (Display the Favorites menu)

MMC Console Window Keyboard Shortcuts CTRL + P (Print the current page or active pane)

Alt + - (Display the window menu for the active console window) Shift + F10 (Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item) F1 key (Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item) F5 key (Update the content of all console windows) CTRL + F10 (Maximize the active console window) CTRL + F5 (Restore the active console window) Alt + Enter (Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item) F2 key (Rename the selected item) CTRL + F4 (Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console)

Remote Desktop Connection Navigation CTRL + Alt + END (Open the m*cro$oft Windows NT Security dialog

box) Alt + PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right) Alt + PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left) Alt + INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order) Alt + HOME (Display the Start menu)

CTRL + Alt + BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen) Alt + Delete (Display the Windows menu) CTRL + Alt + - (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.) CTRL + Alt + + (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing Alt +PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

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)