Know your keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can make using your PC a heck of a lot quicker. Listed below are some of the essentials - note that a plus symbol (+) indicates striking keys simultaneously.
Universal shortcuts | |
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Opens Start menu. You can also use CTRL + ESC | |
+ R | Open Run dialog |
+ E | Open Windows Explorer |
+ D | Show desktop |
+ L | Lock computer |
+ PAUSE or BREAK | Load system properties |
+ B | Make the system tray active. Use Enter to simulate a double click, or use the arrow keys to select the icons |
+ TAB | Windows XP: Cycle forward through applications in the taskbar Windows Vista: Cycle forward through Flip 3D + T cycles the taskbar forward in Vista |
+ SHIFT + TAB | Windows XP: Cycle backward through applications in the taskbar Windows Vista: Cycle backward through Flip 3D + SHIFT + T cycles the taskbar backward in Vista |
ALT + TAB | Cycle forward in task switcher |
ALT + SHIFT + TAB | Cycle backward in task switcher |
CTRL + ALT + DEL | Bring up the Windows Security dialog, allowing you to log out, change password, lock the computer, shutdown or run the Task Manager |
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC | Load the Task Manager |
PrintScreen | Take a screenshot, and copy it to the clipboard. To retrieve it, you'll need to paste it into an imaging program like Paint and save it |
Windows Vista Only | |
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+ any number | Hotkeys for the appropriate entry in the QuickLaunch bar. For example, + 1 will execute the first shortcut, + 2 the second, and so on. |
File operations in Windows Explorer | |
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CTRL + C | Copy the file |
CTRL + X | Cut the file |
CTRL + V | Paste the file. If you previously performed the copy shortcut, the file will be copied to the chosen location. If you previously performed the cut shortcut, the file will be moved to the chosen location |
CTRL + Z | Undo the previous file operation |
Holding CTRL when click dragging a file | Upon release of mouse button, force the file to copy to the new location |
Holding ALT when click dragging a file | Upon release of mouse button, create a shortcut to the file in the new location |
Holding SHIFT when click dragging a file | Upon release of mouse button, force the file to move to the new location |
ALT + ENTER or ALT + double left click on icons | Load the properties dialog |
SHIFT + DEL | Delete file immediately, without sending it to the Recycle Bin. |
SHIFT + arrow keys, or HOME/END | Group select/deselect multiple sequential files |
CTRL + left click | Select/deselect multiple specific files |
F2 | Rename file |
F3 | Open search Explorer bar |
F4 | Go to address bar |
F5 | Refresh contents |
Numpad * | Expand entire selected folder tree |
CTRL+ A | Select all files in current window |
or numpad + | Expand current folder |
or numpad - | Collapse current folder |
BACKSPACE | Go up to parent folder |
Shortcuts with text | |
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CTRL + or | Place the cursor at the beginning or the end of the current word. |
CTRL + END | Send the cursor to the end of the document |
CTRL + HOME | Send the cursor to the beginning of the document |
Double click | Quick select the clicked word |
Triple click | Quick select the clicked paragraph |
SHIFT + arrows, HOME, END, PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN | Select text |
Navigation without a mouse | |
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SHIFT + F10 | Same as right clicking a file |
TAB | Navigate menu elements forward |
SHIFT + TAB | Navigate menu elements backward |
ALT + F4 | Close the current application |
ALT + SPACEBAR | Display application system menu |
ALT + Underlined letter in menu | Open that menu |
SPACEBAR | If a checkbox or radio box is selected, activates this. If a button is selected, clicks it |
ENTER | Click the default button (usually OK) |
ESC | Equivalent to clicking the CANCEL button |
Category: Shortcuts Key
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