Here are the main Shortcuts that can be used in Windows Operating system. This includes the OS short cuts only, not the shortcuts that are specific to programs. The program specific shortcuts will be posted here shortly. Keyboard Shortcuts for windows are addictive. Once you have stated using them you will probably never return to the older mouse thing!
| Key Combination | Action Performed |
| WIN+D | Show desktop |
| WIN+Pause/Break | System Properties |
| WIN+U | Open Utility Manager |
| WIN+L | Switch User/Lock Screen |
| WIN+F | Find |
| WIN+E | Opens My Computer in Explore Mode |
| WIN+R | Open Run Dialog |
| WIN+M | Minimize all Windows |
| CTRL+ESC | Same as WIN key |
| ALT+TAB | Cycles through Open Programs |
| WIN+TAB | (in XP) Cycles through Task Bar Buttons |
| ALT+ESC | Cycle through items in opened order |
| CTRL+C | Copy |
| CTRL+X | Cut |
| CTRL+V | Paste |
| CTRL+Z | Undo |
| CTRL+H | Replace |
| CTRL+F | Find |
| CTRL+Y | Redo |
| DELETE | Delete |
| CTRL+A | Select All |
| SHIFT+DELETE | Permanent Delete – override RecycleBin |
| CTRL+MouseDrag | Copy Item |
| CTRL+SHIFT+MouseDrag | Create shortcut |
| BACKSPACE | Up one Level (in Windows Explorer) |
| ALT+RIGHT ARROW | Forward |
| ALT+LEFT ARROW | Backward |
| ALT+ENTER | View properties for the selected item |
| ALT+F4 | Close active item/ Program |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Shortcut menu for the active window |
| CTRL+F4 / CTRL+W | Close active document or tab |
| F1 | Help |
| F2 | Rename |
| F3 | Find |
| F4 | Drops down the address bar |
| F5 | Refresh or Insert Date in Notepad |
| F11 | Full screen Mode |
| LeftSHIFT+LeftALT+Prt-Scr | Turn High Contrast Mode ON |
| SHIFT+CTRL+ALT Click CANCEL in Shutdown menu | Turns off Explorer Shell |
Any Program specific shortcuts are not included here. Most of these shortcuts works in Linux or Unix too. Under Linux you have to use ALT+CTRL shortcut keys instead of the WIN key. ie WIN+D will become ALT+CTRL+D
If I have missed some shortcuts please leave a comment.
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One Comment
This tutorial is very hard to follow, unless you are very familiar with with computers in the first place. If you are a beginner, as I am much difficulty is a head. However, I am a very good student and I believe I can conquer anything I put my mind to master.
This should be a piece of cake no matter how much time it takes.
Thanks for the challange.