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.
| 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 |
| SHIFT+CTRL+ALT Click CANCEL in Shutdown menu | Turns off Explorer Shell |
I have not included any Program specific Shortcuts. Most of these shortcuts works in Linux or Unix too.
If I have missed some shortcuts please leave a comment.
