Some windows short cut keys

Shortcut Keys 3.x 9x ME NT 2K XP Vista 7 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 + Print Screen   X X X X Creates a screen shot of the entire screen

Ctrl + Alt + Del X X X X X X X X Reboot the computer and brings up the Windows task manager.

Ctrl + Shift + Esc     X X X X Immediately 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 to where you were on the page.

Ctrl + F5   X X Refreshes page to the beginning of the page.

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.

Alt + 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.

Alt + Space bar X X X X X X X Open the control menu for the current window open.

Shift + Del X X X X X X X Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle 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.

Windows key keyboard shortcuts

Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft Windows operating system and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by "WINKEY".

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 or Find feature.

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

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 and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only).

WINKEY + P Quickly change between monitor display types. (Windows 7 only)

WINKEY + LEFT ARROW Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing. (Windows 7 only)

WINKEY + RIGHT ARROW Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing. (Windows 7 only)

WINKEY + UP ARROW When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size. (Windows 7 only)

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 7 only)

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