MS Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

xoxoxoBruce · 06-25-2006, 12:50 AM

I found this list that may be helpful for the non-geeks.

CTRL and A Selects all the items in the active window.
CTRL and C Copies the item or items to the Clipboard and can be pasted using CTRL and V.
CTRL and F Displays the Find all files dialog box.
CTRL and G Displays the Go to folder dialog box.
CTRL and N Displays the New dialog box.
CTRL and O Displays the Open dialog box.
CTRL and P Displays the Print dialog box.
CTRL and S Displays the Save dialog box.
CTRL and V Pastes the copied item or items from the Clipboard.
CTRL and X Cuts the item or items selected to the Clipboard.
CTRL and Z Undoes the last action.
CTRL and F4 Closes the active document window.
CTRL while dragging an item Copy the selected item
CTRL+SHIFT with arrow keys Highlight a block of text
CTRL+F4 Close the active document
CTRL+ESC Display the Start menu
CTRL and F6 Opens the next document window in the active application.
ALT+ENTER View the properties for the selected item
ALT+F4 Close the active item, or quit the active program
ALT+SPACEBAR Open the shortcut menu for the active window
ALT+TAB Switch between the open items
ALT+ESC Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened
F1 key Gives help on the active window or selected item.
F2 key Rename the selected item
F3 key Search for a file or a folder
F4 key Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
F5 key Update the active window
F6 key Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F10 key Activate the menu bar in the active program
Windows Logo Display or hide the Start menu
Windows Logo+BREAK Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows Logo+D Display the desktop
Windows Logo+M Minimize all of the windows
Windows Logo+SHIFT+M Restore the minimized windows
Windows Logo+E Open My Computer
Windows Logo+F Search for a file or a folder
CTRL+Windows Logo+F Search for computers
Windows Logo+F1 Display Windows Help
Windows Logo+ L Lock the keyboard
Windows Logo+R Open the Run dialog box
Windows Logo+U Open Utility Manager
TAB Move forward through the options
SHIFT+TAB Move backward through the options
CTRL+TAB Move forward through the tabs
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB Move backward through the tabs
ALT+Underlined letter Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option
ENTER Perform the command for the active option or button
SPACEBAR Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
F1 key Display Help
F4 key Display the items in the active list
Arrow keys Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
BACKSPACE Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
END Display the bottom of the active window
HOME Display the top of the active window
NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder
NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) Display the contents of the selected folder
NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) Collapse the selected folder
LEFT ARROW Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder
RIGHT ARROW Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder

glatt · 06-25-2006, 02:20 PM

Great list! But too many all at once. This thread would be more instructive if there was a tip of the day. My tired old brain can absorb a tip a day.

I just learned the Windows Key + D trick a few days ago. Pretty helpful when you have a bunch of crap open and need to get to the desktop.

06-25-2006, 02:42 PM

What you will find is that you will use the ones that are best for you.
An Outlook note or Word doc is a good idea.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-25-2006, 06:49 PM

Make up flash cards and have your wife drill you.

Griff · 06-25-2006, 06:56 PM

or Bruce could come by and drill your...

nevermind

xoxoxoBruce · 06-25-2006, 07:23 PM

Calling Dr Wolf....stat.....and bring the long sleeves.

capnhowdy · 06-25-2006, 08:49 PM

Thanks, Bruce. Quite useful info. A geek I am not. I'm getting mouse induced carpel tunnel..

lumberjim · 06-25-2006, 10:10 PM

my friend mike, at work calls me a keyboard fag because i prefer to use keystrokes when navigating (he's just jealous of how fast i am). And yet, i found a couple here that I didn;t know about. ctrl tab. wonder if it will work in excel to switch between sheets.

it takes too long to reach for the mouse, locate the cursor, and move it to where you need it, then click. i know that sounds stupid, but those seconds add up. it's almost infuriating when i watch someone else do something on a computer.

loooooves the hotkeys!

thanks xo.

Undertoad · 06-25-2006, 11:53 PM

Yes thanks xoB!

Well on the whole learning thing, I find I learn much more when there's a discussion in a thread about something. There's something about conversation that makes the information stick differently.

So with that in mind,

Getting the whole CTRL-C CTRL-V thing down pat was the first keyboard shortcut I learned, and is helpful to me almost every day.

It works in Explorer windows too; select a bunch of files, CTRL-C, activate a different folder, CTRL-V. Just like copying and pasting text, you are copying and pasting files.

When you see that CTRL-X is CUT, CTRL-C is COPY and CTRL-V is PASTE, you notice they selected three keys that are right next to each other... and then you remember all three of them, because there they are right in a row.

Undertoad · 06-25-2006, 11:57 PM

And - if you're a Firefox user, and you use tabbed browsing, CTRL-TAB is particularly useful because it switches between tabs.

CTRL-W in Firefox closes a tab.

Confusing those two can be a pain in the ass, though.

richlevy · 06-25-2006, 11:57 PM

Windows Logo+G+ALT+T+CNTL+N+Shift+W=Global Thermonuclear War

glatt · 06-26-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

CTRL-W in Firefox closes a tab.

Sweet. That's one I'll try to remember. Much better than a stupid mouse move.

bbro · 06-26-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

my friend mike, at work calls me a keyboard fag because i prefer to use keystrokes when navigating (he's just jealous of how fast i am). And yet, i found a couple here that I didn;t know about. ctrl tab. wonder if it will work in excel to switch between sheets.

I would rather use keystrokes when at all possible, too. It is faster and makes more sense.

Also, to navigate through excel sheets us CTRL-Page Up and CTRL-Page Down.

Just one more set:
CTRL-< and CTRL-> to move up and down through open messages in outlook.

bigw00dy · 06-26-2006, 12:29 PM

Isn't there a way to turn the images on the screen upside down. Something like (up arrow) & (print screen button).
I am afraid to try in the case that it works and I don't have the antidote!!

dar512 · 06-26-2006, 02:22 PM

The one they should have, but don't - a windows key for opening the control panel.

06-25-2006, 12:50 AM	#1
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	MS Windows Keyboard Shortcuts I found this list that may be helpful for the non-geeks. CTRL and A Selects all the items in the active window. CTRL and C Copies the item or items to the Clipboard and can be pasted using CTRL and V. CTRL and F Displays the Find all files dialog box. CTRL and G Displays the Go to folder dialog box. CTRL and N Displays the New dialog box. CTRL and O Displays the Open dialog box. CTRL and P Displays the Print dialog box. CTRL and S Displays the Save dialog box. CTRL and V Pastes the copied item or items from the Clipboard. CTRL and X Cuts the item or items selected to the Clipboard. CTRL and Z Undoes the last action. CTRL and F4 Closes the active document window. CTRL while dragging an item Copy the selected item CTRL+SHIFT with arrow keys Highlight a block of text CTRL+F4 Close the active document CTRL+ESC Display the Start menu CTRL and F6 Opens the next document window in the active application. ALT+ENTER View the properties for the selected item ALT+F4 Close the active item, or quit the active program ALT+SPACEBAR Open the shortcut menu for the active window ALT+TAB Switch between the open items ALT+ESC Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened F1 key Gives help on the active window or selected item. F2 key Rename the selected item F3 key Search for a file or a folder F4 key Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer F5 key Update the active window F6 key Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop F10 key Activate the menu bar in the active program Windows Logo Display or hide the Start menu Windows Logo+BREAK Display the System Properties dialog box Windows Logo+D Display the desktop Windows Logo+M Minimize all of the windows Windows Logo+SHIFT+M Restore the minimized windows Windows Logo+E Open My Computer Windows Logo+F Search for a file or a folder CTRL+Windows Logo+F Search for computers Windows Logo+F1 Display Windows Help Windows Logo+ L Lock the keyboard Windows Logo+R Open the Run dialog box Windows Logo+U Open Utility Manager TAB Move forward through the options SHIFT+TAB Move backward through the options CTRL+TAB Move forward through the tabs CTRL+SHIFT+TAB Move backward through the tabs ALT+Underlined letter Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option ENTER Perform the command for the active option or button SPACEBAR Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box F1 key Display Help F4 key Display the items in the active list Arrow keys Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons BACKSPACE Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box END Display the bottom of the active window HOME Display the top of the active window NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) Display the contents of the selected folder NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) Collapse the selected folder LEFT ARROW Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder RIGHT ARROW Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-25-2006, 06:49 PM	#4
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Make up flash cards and have your wife drill you. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-25-2006, 06:56 PM	#5
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	or Bruce could come by and drill your... nevermind __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

06-25-2006, 07:23 PM	#6
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Calling Dr Wolf....stat.....and bring the long sleeves. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-25-2006, 08:49 PM	#7
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Thanks, Bruce. Quite useful info. A geek I am not. I'm getting mouse induced carpel tunnel.. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

06-25-2006, 02:20 PM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Great list! But too many all at once. This thread would be more instructive if there was a tip of the day. My tired old brain can absorb a tip a day. I just learned the Windows Key + D trick a few days ago. Pretty helpful when you have a bunch of crap open and need to get to the desktop.

06-25-2006, 02:42 PM	#3
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	What you will find is that you will use the ones that are best for you. An Outlook note or Word doc is a good idea.

06-25-2006, 10:10 PM	#8
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	my friend mike, at work calls me a keyboard fag because i prefer to use keystrokes when navigating (he's just jealous of how fast i am). And yet, i found a couple here that I didn;t know about. ctrl tab. wonder if it will work in excel to switch between sheets. it takes too long to reach for the mouse, locate the cursor, and move it to where you need it, then click. i know that sounds stupid, but those seconds add up. it's almost infuriating when i watch someone else do something on a computer. loooooves the hotkeys! thanks xo. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

06-25-2006, 11:53 PM	#9
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Yes thanks xoB! Well on the whole learning thing, I find I learn much more when there's a discussion in a thread about something. There's something about conversation that makes the information stick differently. So with that in mind, Getting the whole CTRL-C CTRL-V thing down pat was the first keyboard shortcut I learned, and is helpful to me almost every day. It works in Explorer windows too; select a bunch of files, CTRL-C, activate a different folder, CTRL-V. Just like copying and pasting text, you are copying and pasting files. When you see that CTRL-X is CUT, CTRL-C is COPY and CTRL-V is PASTE, you notice they selected three keys that are right next to each other... and then you remember all three of them, because there they are right in a row.

06-25-2006, 11:57 PM	#10
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	And - if you're a Firefox user, and you use tabbed browsing, CTRL-TAB is particularly useful because it switches between tabs. CTRL-W in Firefox closes a tab. Confusing those two can be a pain in the ass, though.

06-25-2006, 11:57 PM	#11
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	Windows Logo+G+ALT+T+CNTL+N+Shift+W=Global Thermonuclear War __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

06-26-2006, 12:29 PM	#14
bigw00dy I'm here once in a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 458	Isn't there a way to turn the images on the screen upside down. Something like (up arrow) & (print screen button). I am afraid to try in the case that it works and I don't have the antidote!! __________________ flickr®

06-26-2006, 02:22 PM	#15
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	The one they should have, but don't - a windows key for opening the control panel. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

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