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.
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.