Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

Alt + Tab X X X X X X X X Switch between open applications. Alt + Shift + Tab X X X X X X X X Switch backwards between open applications. Alt + double-click X X X X X X X Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties. Ctrl + Tab X X X X X X X X Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature. Ctrl + Shift + Tab X X X X X X X X Same as above but backwards. Alt + Print Screen X X X X X X X X Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in. Ctrl + Print Screen X X X X Creates a screen shot of the entire screen Ctrl + Alt + Del X X X X X X X X Reboot the computer and brings up the Windows task manager. Ctrl + Shift + Esc X X X X Immediately bring up the Windows task manager. Ctrl + Esc X X X X X X X X Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager. Alt + Esc X X X X X X X Switch Between open applications on taskbar. F1 X X X X X X X X Activates help for current open application. F2 X X X X X X X X Renames selected Icon. F3 X X X X X X X Starts find from desktop. F4 X X X X X X X Opens the drive selection when browsing. F5 X X X X X X X Refresh Contents to where you were on the page. Ctrl + F5 X X Refreshes page to the beginning of the page. F10 X X X X X X X X Activates menu bar. Shift + F10 X X X X X X X Simulates right-click on selected item. F4 X X X X X X X Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar. Alt + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Current open program. Ctrl + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Window in Program. F6 X X X X X X X Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane. Alt + Space bar X X X X X X X X Drops down the window control menu. Ctrl + (the '+' key on the keypad) X X X X X X Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer Alt + Enter X X X X X X X Opens properties window of selected icon or program. Alt + Space bar X X X X X X X Open the control menu for the current window open. Shift + Del X X X X X X X Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin. Holding Shift X X X X X X X X Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting. Holding Shift X X X X X X X When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing. Enter X X X X X X X X Activates the highlighted program. Alt + Down arrow X X X X X X X Display all available options on drop down menu. * (on the keypad) X X X X X X X Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer. + (on the keypad) X X X X X X X Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer. - (on the keypad) X X X X X X X Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer. Windows key keyboard shortcuts

Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft Windows operating system and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by "WINKEY".

Shortcut Keys Description WINKEY Pressing the Windows key alone will open Start. WINKEY + F1 Opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center. WINKEY + F3 Opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook. WINKEY + D Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows. WINKEY + M Minimizes all windows. WINKEY + SHIFT + M Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D. WINKEY + E Open Microsoft Explorer. WINKEY + Tab Cycle through open programs through the taskbar. WINKEY + F Display the Windows Search / Find feature. WINKEY + CTRL + F Display the search for computers window. WINKEY + R Open the run window. WINKEY + Pause / Break key Open the system properties window. WINKEY + U Open Utility Manager. WINKEY + L Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only). WINKEY + P Quickly change between monitor display types. (Windows 7 only) WINKEY + LEFT ARROW Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing. (Windows 7 only) WINKEY + RIGHT ARROW Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing. (Windows 7 only) WINKEY + UP ARROW When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size. (Windows 7 only) WINKEY + DOWN ARROW Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size. (Windows 7 only) Back to shortcut keys main page