Microsoft Windows Shortcut Keys

 Microsoft Windows Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Keys Description
Alt + F File menu options in current program.
Alt + E Edit options in current program
F1 Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
Ctrl + A Select all text.
Ctrl + X Cut selected item.
Shift + Del Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C Copy selected item
Ctrl + Ins Copy selected item
Ctrl + V Paste
Shift + Ins Paste
Home Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home Goes to beginning of document.
End Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End Goes to end of document.
Shift + Home Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
Shift + End Highlights from current position to end of line.
Ctrl + Left arrow Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow Moves one word to the right at a time.
Alt + Tab Switch between open applications.
Alt + Shift + Tab Switch backwards between open applications.
Alt + double-click Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.
Ctrl + Tab Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Same as above but backwards.
Alt + Print Screen Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.
Ctrl + Print Screen Creates a screen shot of the entire screen
Ctrl + Alt + Del Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Immediately bring up the Windows task manager.
Ctrl + Esc Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.
Alt + Esc Switch Between open applications on taskbar.
F1 Activates help for current open application.
F2 Renames selected Icon.
F3 Starts find from desktop.
F4 Opens the drive selection when browsing.
F5 Refresh Contents to where you were on the page.
Ctrl + F5 Refreshes page to the beginning of the page.
F10 Activates menu bar.
Shift + F10 Simulates right-click on selected item.
F4 Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar.
Alt + F4 Closes Current open program.
Ctrl + F4 Closes Window in Program.
F6 Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane.
Alt + Space bar Drops down the window control menu.
F8 Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting.
Ctrl + (the ‘+’ key on the keypad) Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer
Alt + Enter Opens properties window of selected icon or program.
Alt + Space bar Open the control menu for the current window open.
Shift + Del Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin.
Holding Shift When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.
Enter Activates the highlighted program.
Alt + Down arrow Display all available options on drop down menu.
* (on the keypad) Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer.
+ (on the keypad) Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
– (on the keypad) Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
 
Internet Explorer shortcut keys
Shortcut Keys Description
Alt + Left Arrow Back a page.
Backspace Back a page.
Alt + Right Arrow Forward a page.
F5                     Refresh current page, frame, or tab.
F11 Display the current website in full screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit this mode.
Esc Stop page or download from loading.
Ctrl + (- or +) Increase or decrease the font size, pressing ‘-‘ will decrease and ‘+’ will increase.
Ctrl + Enter Quickly complete an address. For example, type thewiseit in the address bar and press CTRL + ENTER to get http://www.thewiseit.com.
Ctrl + D Add a Favorite for the page currently opened.
Ctrl + I Display available bookmarks.
Ctrl + N Open New browser window.
Ctrl + P Print current page/frame.
Ctrl + T Opens a new tab.
Ctrl + F4 Closes the currently selected tab.
Ctrl + Tab Moves through each of the open tabs.
Spacebar Moves down a page at a time.
Shift + Spacebar Moves up a page at a time.
Alt + Down arrow Display all previous text entered in a text box and/or available options on drop down menu.
Alt + D Highlights the text in the address bar

Be sure to view the Windows 7 Shortcut Keys and Shortcut Keys for Windows 10 for more time saving tips when using your Windows Operating System.