Useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows

Description: Below is a list of keyboard shortcuts and their function which will hopefully reduce the time it takes to complete tasks.

Display Help

Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)

Copy the selected item

Ctrl+X

Cut the selected item

Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)

Paste the selected item

Ctrl+Z

Undo an action

Ctrl+Y

Redo an action

Delete (or Ctrl+D)

Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin

Shift+Delete

Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first

Rename the selected item

Ctrl+Right Arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word

Ctrl+Left Arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word

Ctrl+Down Arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph

Ctrl+Up Arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Ctrl+Shift with an arrow key

Select a block of text

Shift with any arrow key

Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document

Ctrl with any arrow key+Spacebar

Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop

Ctrl+A

Select all items in a document or window

Search for a file or folder

Alt+Enter

Display properties for the selected item

Alt+F4

Close the active item, or exit the active program

Alt+Spacebar

Open 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

Ctrl+Alt+Tab

Use the arrow keys to switch between open items

Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheel

Change the size of icons on the desktop

Windows logo key +Tab

Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D

Ctrl+Windows logo key +Tab

Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D

Alt+Esc

Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened

Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop

Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer

Shift+F10

Display the shortcut menu for the selected item

Ctrl+Esc

Open the Start menu

Alt+underlined letter

Display the corresponding menu

Alt+underlined letter

Perform the menu command (or other underlined 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

F5 (or Ctrl+R)

Refresh the active window

Alt+Up Arrow

View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer

Esc

Cancel the current task

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Open Task Manager

Shift when you insert a CD

Prevent the CD from automatically playing

Left Alt+Shift

Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled

Ctrl+Shift

Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled

Right or Left Ctrl+Shift

Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Press this key

To do this

Windows logo key

Open or close the Start menu.

Windows logo key +Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box.

Windows logo key +D

Display the desktop.

Windows logo key +M

Minimize all windows.

Windows logo key +Shift+M

Restore minimized windows to the desktop.

Windows logo key +E

Open Computer.

Windows logo key +F

Search for a file or folder.

Ctrl+Windows logo key +F

Search for computers (if you're on a network).

Windows logo key +L

Lock your computer or switch users.

Windows logo key +R

Open the Run dialog box.

Windows logo key +T

Cycle through programs on the taskbar.

Windows logo key +number

Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.

Shift+Windows logo key +number

Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Ctrl+Windows logo key +number

Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Alt+Windows logo key +number

Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Windows logo key +Tab

Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.

Ctrl+Windows logo key +Tab

Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.

Ctrl+Windows logo key +B

Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.

Windows logo key +Spacebar

Preview the desktop.

Windows logo key +Up Arrow

Maximize the window.

Windows logo key +Left Arrow

Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.

Windows logo key +Right Arrow

Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.

Windows logo key +Down Arrow

Minimize the window.

Windows logo key +Home

Minimize all but the active window.

Windows logo key +Shift+Up Arrow

Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.

Windows logo key +Shift+Left Arrow or Right Arrow

Move a window from one monitor to another.

Windows logo key +P

Choose a presentation display mode.

Windows logo key +G

Cycle through gadgets.

Windows logo key +U

Open Ease of Access Center.

Windows logo key +X

Open Windows Mobility Center.

Press this key

To do this

Ctrl+N

Open a new window

Ctrl+W

Close the current window

Ctrl+Shift+N

Create a new folder

End

Display the bottom of the active window

Home

Display the top of the active window

F11

Maximize or minimize the active window

Ctrl+Period (.)

Rotate a picture clockwise

Ctrl+Comma (,)

Rotate a picture counter-clockwise

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 the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the parent folder

Alt+Enter

Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item

Alt+P

Display the preview pane

Alt+Left Arrow

View the previous folder

Backspace

View the previous folder

Right Arrow

Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder

Alt+Right Arrow

View the next folder

Alt+Up Arrow

View the parent folder

Ctrl+Shift+E

Display all folders above the selected folder

Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheel

Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons

Alt+D

Select the address bar

Ctrl+E

Select the search box

Ctrl+F

Select the search box