Shortcut Keys | Description |
Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications. |
Alt + Shift + Tab | Switch backwards between open applications. |
Alt + double-click | Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties. |
Ctrl + Tab | Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature. |
Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Same as above but backwards. |
Alt + Print Screen | Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in. |
Ctrl + Print Screen | Creates a screen shot of the entire screen |
Ctrl + Alt + Del | Reboot the computer and brings up the Windows task manager. |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Immediately bring up the Windows task manager. |
Ctrl + Esc | Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager. |
Alt + Esc | Switch Between open applications on taskbar. |
F1 | Activates help for current open application. |
F2 | Renames selected Icon. |
F3 | Starts find from desktop. |
F4 | Opens the drive selection when browsing. |
F5 | Refresh Contents to where you were on the page. |
Ctrl + F5 | Refreshes page to the beginning of the page. |
F10 | Activates menu bar. |
Shift + F10 | Simulates right-click on selected item. |
F4 | Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar. |
Alt + F4 | Closes Current open program. |
Ctrl + F4 | Closes Window in Program. |
F6 | Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane. |
Alt + Space bar | Drops down the window control menu. |
Ctrl + (the '+' key on the keypad) | Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer |
Alt + Enter | Opens properties window of selected icon or program. |
Alt + Space bar | Open the control menu for the current window open. |
Shift + Del | Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin. |
Holding Shift | Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting. |
Holding Shift | When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing. |
Enter | Activates the highlighted program. |
Alt + Down arrow | Display all available options on drop down menu. |
* (on the keypad) | Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer. |
+ (on the keypad) | Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer. |
- (on the keypad) | Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer. |
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 + 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) |
Last updated on: 08/10/2019