Windows Keyboard Shortcut Keys 101 :For Power User

Posted in: Tips, Windows | August 21st, 2008

There are so many shortcut keys in Windows. These key combinations will help you improve your efficiency - saving you a lot of time! This list of shortcut keys applies for almost all Windows platform.

Common Shortcut Keys:

  • CTRL+C (Copy)
  • CTRL+X (Cut)
  • CTRL+V (Paste)
  • CTRL+Z (Undo)
  • CTRL+A (Select)
  • 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:

  • 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)
  • 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)

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)

Internet Explorer Shortcut Keys:

  • Alt+Left Arrow (Back a page)
  • Backspace (Back a page)
  • Alt+Right Arrow (Forward a page)
  • F5 (Refresh current page, frame or tab)
  • F11 (Display the current website in full screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit this mode.)
  • ESC (Stop page or download from loading.)
  • CTRL-or+ (Increase or decrease the font size, pressing ‘-’ will decrease and ‘+’ will increase)
  • CTRL+Enter (Quickly complete an address. For example, type Google in the address bar and press CTRL + ENTER to get http://www.Google.com)
  • CTRL+D (Add a favorite for the page currently opened)
  • CTRL+I (Display available bookmarks)
  • CTRL+N (Open new browser Window)
  • CTRL+P (Print current page/frame)
  • CTRL+T (Opens a new tab)
  • CTRL+F4 (Close the currently selected tab)
  • CTRL+Tab (Moves through each of the open tabs)
  • Spacebar (Moves down a page at a time)
  • Shift+Spacebar (Moves up a page at a time)
  • AL T+Down arrow (Display all previous text entered in a text box and/or available options on drop down menu)

Windows 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 (Collap ses the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent)

Downloadable Files: Text Format or Image File

Note: For any new shortcuts which is not included in this list, Please write your comment below. Be Effiecient and finish more with these power shortcut Keys.

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