Keyboard shortcuts for WindowsA Selection of Keystrokes, that will get you out of trouble should your mouse fail you. Most of the key strokes should work in all versions of WINDOWS.
Use the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows XP
BOOT UP Keystrokes
GENERAL Keystrokes
Desktop & Explorer Keystrokes
Mouse Clicks & Combos
Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Use the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows XP
An on-screen keyboard is built into Windows XP. It can be useful if you have mobility impairments, if you are using a tablet PC, or if your keyboard breaks down unexpectedly. To access the on-screen keyboard, go to Start, then click Run, and then type osk. Now the keyboard opens on your computer screen, featuring three typing modes you can use to type data:
- Clicking mode, where you click the on-screen keys.
- Scanning mode, where you press a hot key or use a switch-input device to type highlighted characters.
- Hovering mode, where you use a mouse or joystick to point to a key, which is then typed.
To make a shortcut icon on your desktop to the on-screen keyboard:
1. Right-click the desktop and choose New, then Shortcut.
2. Type osk, click Next.
3. Type a name for the shortcut, and then click Finish.
WEBSITE : - On-Screen Keyboard overview - From Microsoft
BOOT UP Keystrokes
| Boot with step-by-step confirmation of system file entries |
SHIFT + F5 |
BOOT UP |
| To boot to the command-prompt |
ALT + F5 |
BOOT UP |
| To display boot menu on system startup |
F8 |
BOOT UP |
| To prevent display of startup logo |
ESC |
BOOT UP |
| To prevent windows loading startup folder items |
Hold CTRL as windows starts |
BOOT UP |
| To start windows in safe mode |
F5 |
BOOT UP |
GENERAL Keystrokes
| Close a menu or dialog without making a selection |
ESC |
General |
| Close a window or Quit an application |
ALT + F4 |
General |
| Go to Menu mode |
F10 |
General |
| Close all programs and log on as different user |
ALT + F4, C, RETURN |
General |
| Close the START Menu |
ESC |
General |
| COPY selected item |
CTRL + C |
General |
| CUT selected item |
CTRL + X |
General |
| Cycle through currently open windows, apps, dialogs |
ALT + ESC |
General |
| Defeat CD Autoplay or Autorun |
SHIFT + insert CD |
General |
| Drop down the computers/drives box on a windows toolbar |
F4 |
General |
| Drop down the named box in find |
F4 |
General |
| Drop down the open box in run |
F4 |
General |
| 'FIND' Command |
CTRL + ESC then F |
General |
| HELP (in tabbed pages & dialogs) |
F1 |
General |
| Iconic list of currently open windows, apps, dialogs |
ALT + TAB ( + tab to select) |
General |
| Move backwards between options/buttons in a dialog box |
SHIFT + TAB |
General |
| Move backwards through tabbed pages |
CTRL + SHIFT + TAB |
General |
| Move between options/buttons in a dialog box |
TAB |
General |
| Move through tabbed pages |
CTRL + TAB |
General |
| Move to (NEXT) item beginning with ? (initial letter/s) |
? (initial letter/s) |
General |
| Navigate the START Menu |
ARROW KEYS |
General |
| Open or Run the selected item |
ENTER or RETURN |
General |
| Open the look in & save in box in open/save as dialogs |
F4 |
General |
| Open the START Menu |
CTRL + ESC |
General |
| PASTE selected item |
CTRL + V |
General |
| Restart in MS-DOS Mode |
ALT + F4, M, RETURN |
General |
| Restart Windows |
ALT + F4, R, SHIFT + RETURN |
General |
| 'RUN' command |
CTRL + ESC then R |
General |
| Scroll through list of recent commands in find & run |
UP / DOWN Arrow Keys |
General |
| Shut down windows |
ALT + F4, ENTER or CTRL + ALT + DEL, S |
General |
Desktop & Explorer Keystrokes
| (LEFT PANE) Collapse the selected folder |
The - sign (Numlock On) or Left Arrow Key (Numlock Off) |
Desktop & Explorer |
| (LEFT PANE) Expand the selected folder (ALL LEVELS) |
The * sign (Numlock On) |
Desktop & Explorer |
| (LEFT PANE) Expand the selected folder (ONE LEVEL) |
The + sign (Numlock On) or Right Arrow Key (Numlock Off) |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Access the 'OPEN WITH' dialog for the selected item |
CTRL + SHIFT + F10 then E |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Cancel a 'DRAG & DROP' manoeuvre |
ESC |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Close current window and all parent windows |
SHIFT + ALT + F4 |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Create a copy of the selected item |
CTRL + C then CTRL + V |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Create a shortcut to the selected item |
SHIFT + F10 then S |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Delete the selected item, bypassing RECYCLE BIN |
SHIFT + DEL |
Desktop & Explorer |
| 'Go to' a particular folder |
CTRL + G |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Move the selected item |
CTRL + X then CTRL + V |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Open parent folder |
BACKSPACE |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Open the 'FIND' command |
F3 |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Open the selected folder in a new window |
CTRL + ENTER |
Desktop & Explorer |
| REFRESH (update Desktop or window contents) |
F5 |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Rename the selected item |
F2 |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Select all items |
CTRL + A |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Select and expand the drive list |
F4 |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Send the selected item to the RECYCLE BIN |
DEL |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Show the context-menu for the selected item |
SHIFT + F10 |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Show the properties page for the selected item |
ALT + ENTER |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Step from item to item |
Arrow Keys |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Switch between left & right panes |
F6 |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Undo last action (cut,copy,move,rename,delete,create) |
CTRL + Z |
Desktop & Explorer |
| Windows general help |
F1 |
Desktop & Explorer |
Mouse Clicks & Combos
| Add the 'Open With' option to the context-menu |
HIGHLIGHT, SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Cancel a drag & drop manoeuvre |
CLICK OPPOSITE MOUSE BUTTON |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Choose continuous items from a window or list |
Click first item, Hold SHIFT + Click last item |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Choose from COPY,MOVE or Create shortcut |
Right click + Drag |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Choose selected items from a window or list |
CTRL + Click each item |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Close current window and all parent windows |
SHIFT + Click close button |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Copy the selected item |
CTRL + DRAG |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Create shortcut to the selected item |
CTRL + SHIFT + DRAG |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Move the selected item |
SHIFT + DRAG |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Open a folder in a dual-pane window |
Highlight, SHIFT + Double click |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Open a folder in new window |
CTRL + Double click |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Show the properties page for the selected item |
ALT + Double click |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
| Toggle a window between Maximised / Restored |
Double click on Title Bar |
Mouse Clicks & Combos |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard
| Run Dialog |
WIN + R |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| Minimize All |
WIN + M |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| Undo Minimize All |
SHIFT - WIN + M |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| Windows Help |
WIN + F1 |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| Explorer |
WIN + E |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| Find Files or Folders |
WIN + F |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| Find Computer |
CTRL + WIN + F |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| Cycle through taskbar buttons |
WIN + TAB |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard |
| PSS Hotkey... (System Properties) |
WIN + BREAK |
Microsoft Natural Keyboard | |
