Useful Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Most of us use mouse or touchpad while using PC or Notebook. Windows keyboard shortcuts make interaction with your PC or Notebook even more easier. Below you can see different categories of Windows Keyboard shortcuts. Most of these keyboard shortcuts works on earlier versions of Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Based on the windows operating system you are using few of these shortcuts may not work.  

Microsoft Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this key	To do this
	Open or close the Start menu
+PAUSE	Display the System Properties dialog box
+D	Display the desktop
+M	Minimize all windows
+SHIFT+M	Restore minimized windows to the desktop
+E	Open Computer
+F	Search for a file or folder
+F	Search for computers (if you are on a network)
+L	Lock your computer or switch users
+R	Open the Run dialog box
+T	Cycle through programs on the taskbar
+TAB	Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
+SPACEBAR	Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
+G	Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
+U	Open Ease of Access Center
+X	Open Windows Mobility

General Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this key	To do this
F1	Display Help
CTRL+C	Copy the selected item
CTRL+X	Cut the selected item
CTRL+V	Paste the selected item
CTRL+Z	Undo an action
CTRL+Y	Redo an action
DELETE	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
F2	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
F3	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
CTRL+ +TAB	Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
ALT+ESC	Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4	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
CTRL+ALT+DELETE	Opens various options like Task Manager, Switch User etc.
F5	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

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