| 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
