Microsoft Windows Shortcut Keys

Alt + (double-click)
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Open Properties dialog of selected item.
Alt + Enter
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Opens properties window of selected item.
Alt + Esc
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Switch Between open tasks available on the taskbar.
Alt + F4
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Close the top (focused) window.
Alt + Tab
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Switch between open windows.
Alt + Tab + Shift
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Switch between open windows, backward.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete (or Del)
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Bring up the Windows Task Manager, or reboot computer.
Ctrl + Esc
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Bring up the Windows Start menu.
Ctrl + ‘+’ (‘+’ key on the keypad)
98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Autofit the widths of all columns (if available) in current window.
Ctrl + F4
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Close sub window/tab.
Ctrl + Tab
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Switch between existing tabs (within a window).
Ctrl + Tab + Shift
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Switch between existing tabs (within a window), backward
F1
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Open Help for Windows or focused application.
F2
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Rename.
F3
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Find/Search.
F4
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Select drives or display the list of drives
F5
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Refresh.
F6
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Switch focus to the address bar (if exists).
F10
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Switch focus to the top menu bar.
Shift + F10
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Same as mouse right-click on the select item.
Print Screen
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Capture a screenshot of the entire desktop to clipboard.
Print Screen + Alt
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Capture a screenshot of just the top(focused) window to clipboard.
Shift + Delete (or Del)
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Permanently delete selected file(s)/folder(s) (bypass recycle bin)
Shift (hold while inserting an audio CD to drive)
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Prevent autoplay.
* (keypad) on Windows Explorer.
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Expand all sub-directories from the selected item.
+ (keypad) on Windows Explorer.
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Expand only the first level of selected item.
- (keypad) on Windows Explorer.
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Collapse
Most keyboards have a Windows Key (key with a Windows icon). This key provides additional shortcuts for Microsoft Windows. Below is a list of the shortcut keys by combining the Windows key and other keys.
Shortcut Keys
Description
WINDOWS-KEY
Bring up the Windows Start menu.
WINDOWS-KEY + F1
Bring up the Windows Help.
WINDOWS-KEY + e
Open Microsoft Explorer.
WINDOWS-KEY + f
Windows Search.
WINDOWS-KEY + Ctrl + f
Search for computers
WINDOWS-KEY + d
Minimizes all and bring up desktop, or restore all
WINDOWS-KEY + l
Lock the computer (Windows XP & newer).
WINDOWS-KEY + m
Minimizes all windows.
WINDOWS-KEY + Shift + M
Restore all. Opposite with WINDOWS-KEY + M and WINDOWS-KEY + D.
WINDOWS-KEY + r
Open the run window.
WINDOWS-KEY + u
Utility Manager.
WINDOWS-KEY + Tab
Cycle through the programs on task bar.
WINDOWS-KEY + Pause/Break
Open the System Properties window.

Posted in: Hot Keys, Windows 7, Windows Tweaks