Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Windows as well as the versions of Microsoft W
supported in. If you're looking for shortcut keys or information about how to navigate Microsoft Windows us
instead of the mouse see document CH000791. See our main shortcut page if you're looking for other shortcu
programs.

Shortcut Keys 3.x 95 98 ME NT 2000 XP Vista Description

Alt + Tab X X X X X X X X Switch between open applications.
Alt + Shift + Switch backwards between open
X X X X X X X X
Tab applications.
Alt + double- Display the properties of the object
click you double-click on. For example,
X X X X X X X
doing this on a file would display its
properties.
Ctrl + Tab Switches between program groups or
X X X X X X X X document windows in applications that
support this feature.
Ctrl + Shift + Same as above but backwards.
X X X X X X X X
Tab
Alt + Print Create a screen shot only for the
X X X X X X X X
Screen program you are currently in.
Ctrl + Print Creates a screen shot of the entire
          X X X
Screen screen
Ctrl + Alt + Del Reboot the computer and/or bring up
X X X X X X X X
the Windows task manager.
Ctrl + Esc Bring up the Windows Start menu. In
X X X X X X X X Windows 3.x this would bring up the
Task Manager.
Alt + Esc Switch Between open applications on
X X X X X X X
taskbar.
F1 Activates help for current open
X X X X X X X X
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 Opens the drive selection when
X X X X X X X
browsing.
F5 Refresh Contents to where you were on
X X X X X X X
the page.
Ctrl + F5               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 Select a different location to browse in
X X X X X X X
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 Move cursor to different Windows
X X X X X X X
Explorer pane.
Alt + Space bar X X X X X X X X Drops down the window control menu.
Ctrl + (the '+' Automatically adjust the widths of all
key on X X X X X X the columns in Windows explorer
the keypad)
Alt + Enter Opens properties window of selected
X X X X X X X
icon or program.
Alt + Space bar Open the control menu for the current
  X X X X X X X
window open.
Shift + Del Delete programs/files without throwing
X X X X X X X
them into therecycle bin.
Holding Shift Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files
X X X X X X X X
as the computer is booting.
Holding Shift When putting in an audio CD, will
X X X X X X X
prevent CD Player from playing.
Enter X X X X X X X X Activates the highlighted program.
Alt + Down Display all available options on drop
X X X X X X X
arrow down menu.
* (on Expands all folders on the currently
the keypad) X X X X X X X selected folder or drive in Windows
Explorer.
+ (on the Expands only the currently selected
X X X X X X X
keypad) folder in Windows Explorer.
- (on the Collapses the currently selected folder
X X X X X X X
keypad) 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 sy
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
Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.
+M
WINKEY + E Open Microsoft Explorer.
WINKEY + Tab Cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
WINKEY + F Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
WINKEY
Display the search for computers window.
+ CTRL + F
WINKEY + F1 Display the Microsoft Windows help.
WINKEY + R Open the run window.
WINKEY + Pause /
Open the system properties window.
Break key
WINKEY + U Open Utility Manager.
WINKEY + L Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).
WINKEY + P Quickly change between monitor display types. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + LEFT Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing.
ARROW (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + RIGHT Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing.
ARROW (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + UP When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to
ARROW full size. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + DOWN Minimizes the screen.  Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this
ARROW shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size. (Windows 7 only)