General
General Keystrokes Use this key: To do this:
F1 Get help.
F3 Find file or folder
Windows key or CTRL+Esc Open the Start menu.
Windows key+E Open Windows Explorer.
Windows key+R Open Run dialoge.
Windows key+M Minimise all applications.
Windows key+M Minimise all applications.
Alt+TAB Switch between applications.
Alt+F4 Close current application.
CTRL+C Copy.
CTRL+X Cut.
CTRL+V Paste.
CTRL+Z Undo.
DELETE Delete.
SHIFT+DELETE Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
CTRL while dragging an item Copy selected item.
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item Create shortcut to selected item.
F2 Rename 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 within a document.
CTRL+A Select all.
ALT+ENTER View properties for the selected item.
ALT+F4 Close the active item, or quit the active program.
ALT+SPACEBAR Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.
CTRL+F4 Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
ALT+TAB Switch between open items.
ALT+ESC Cycle through items in the order they were opened.
F4 Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
F5 Refresh the active window.
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
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 Carry out the corresponding command.
F10 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.
BACKSPACE View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
ESC Cancel the current task.
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
For Windows and Menus
Windows and Menus Keystrokes Use this key: To do this:
Alt+Space Open the application control menu.
Alt Move to the menu bar.
Arrow keys Move between menus.
ENTER Choose a menu item.
Esc Cancel or close a cacading menu, returning to the menu bar or move from the menu bar.
Alt Move from the menu bar or a cascading menu.
Ctrl+F4 Close a child window.
Shift+F10 or Applications pop-up menu key (immediately to the left of the right-hand one of the two Ctrl keys). Open the application pop-up menu.
For Dialogue boxes
Dialogue box keystrokes Use this key: To do this:
TAB Move through dialogue controls.
Shift+TAB Move back through dialogue controls.
Ctrl+TAB Move to another page.
Ctrl+Shift+TAB Move back to another page.
Space or Ctrl+Space Select or deselect in list.
Space Toggle a check-box on or off.
ALT+Underlined letter Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.
ENTER Carry out 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 Display Help.
F4 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.
For Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer keystrokes Use this key: To do this:
DELETE Delete files (send to Recycle Bin).
Shift+DELETE Delete files permanently.
F2 Rename a file or folder
Alt+ENTER Properties for selected file or folder.
F5 Refresh window.
F6 or TAB Switch between windows.
BACKSPACE Go up one level.
END Display the bottom of the active window.
HOME Display the top of the active window.
NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder.
NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+) Display the contents of the selected folder.
NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-) Collapse the selected folder.
LEFT ARROW Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder.
RIGHT ARROW Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder.
For Editing Text
Text Editing keystrokes Use this key: To do this:
Ctrl+C Copy.
Ctrl+X Cut.
Ctrl+V Paste.
Ctrl+Z Undo.
DELETE Delete current character.
Backspace Delete prior character.
Shift+Left arrow Select one character left.
Shift+Right arrow Select one character right.
Ctrl+Shift+Left arrow Select one word left.
Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow Select one word right.
Shift+Home Select to beginning of line.
Shift+End Select to end of line.
Ctrl+Shift+Home Select to beginning.
Ctrl+Shift+End Select to end.
Ctrl+A Select all.
Natural Keyboard (Windows Key) Shortcuts
You can use the following keyboard shortcuts with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key WINKEY and the Application pop-up menu key MENU.
Windows Key shortcuts Use this key: To do this:
WINKEY Display or hide the Start menu.
WINKEY+BREAK Display the System Properties dialog box.
WINKEY+D Show the desktop.
WINKEY+M Minimize all windows.
WINKEY+Shift+M Restores minimized windows.
WINKEY+E Open My Computer.
WINKEY+F Search for a file or folder.
CTRL+WINKEY+F Search for computers.
WINKEY+F1 Display Windows Help.
WINKEY+L Lock your computer.
WINKEY+R Open the Run dialog box.
MENU Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
WINKEY+U Open Utility Manager.
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