Windows Shortcut Keys
This is a listing of some common shortcut keys in different versions Microsoft Windows.
Some shortcut keys below are not supported in all versions of Windows.
The shortcut keys on this page are only applicable for Windows in general, if you are looking for shortcut keys for a specific application (i.e. Excel, Word, etc..) please see the links at the bottom of this page.
The shortcut keys on this page are only applicable for Windows in general, if you are looking for shortcut keys for a specific application (i.e. Excel, Word, etc..) please see the links at the bottom of this page.
Use at your own risk.
Shortcut Key | Supported Window Versions | Short Key Description |
Alt + (double-click) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Open Properties dialog of selected item. |
Alt + Enter | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Opens properties window of selected item. |
Alt + Esc | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch Between open tasks available on the taskbar. |
Alt + F4 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Close the top (focused) window. |
Alt + Tab | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between open windows. |
Alt + Tab + Shift | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between open windows, backward. |
Ctrl + Alt + Delete (or Del) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Bring up the Windows Task Manager, or reboot computer. |
Ctrl + Esc | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Bring up the Windows Start menu. |
Ctrl + '+' ('+' key on the keypad) | 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Autofit the widths of all columns (if available) in current window. |
Ctrl + F4 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Close sub window/tab. |
Ctrl + Tab | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between existing tabs (within a window). |
Ctrl + Tab + Shift | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between existing tabs (within a window), backward |
F1 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Open Help for Windows or focused application. |
F2 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Rename. |
F3 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Find/Search. |
F4 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Select drives or display the list of drives |
F5 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Refresh. |
F6 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch focus to the address bar (if exists). |
F10 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch focus to the top menu bar. |
Shift + F10 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Same as mouse right-click on the select item. |
Print Screen | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Capture a screenshot of the entire desktop to clipboard. |
Print Screen + Alt | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Capture a screenshot of just the top(focused) window to clipboard. |
Shift + Delete (or Del) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Permanently delete selected file(s)/folder(s) (bypass recycle bin) |
Shift (hold while inserting an audio CD to drive) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Prevent autoplay. |
* (keypad) on Windows Explorer. | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Expand all sub-directories from the selected item. |
+ (keypad) on Windows Explorer. | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Expand only the first level of selected item. |
- (keypad) on Windows Explorer. | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Collapse |
Most keyboards have a Windows Key (key with a Windows icon). This key provides additional shortcuts for Microsoft Windows. Below is a list of the shortcut keys by combining the Windows key and other keys.
Shortcut Keys | Description |
WINDOWS-KEY | Bring up the Windows Start menu. |
WINDOWS-KEY + F1 | Bring up the Windows Help. |
WINDOWS-KEY + e | Open Microsoft Explorer. |
WINDOWS-KEY + f | Windows Search. |
WINDOWS-KEY + Ctrl + f | Search for computers |
WINDOWS-KEY + d | Minimizes all and bring up desktop, or restore all |
WINDOWS-KEY + l | Lock the computer (Windows XP & newer). |
WINDOWS-KEY + m | Minimizes all windows. |
WINDOWS-KEY + Shift + M | Restore all. Opposite with WINDOWS-KEY + M and WINDOWS-KEY + D. |
WINDOWS-KEY + r | Open the run window. |
WINDOWS-KEY + u | Utility Manager. |
WINDOWS-KEY + Tab | Cycle through the programs on task bar. |
WINDOWS-KEY + Pause/Break | Open the System Properties window. |
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