Windows Operating System keyboard shortcuts

Windows Operating System keyboard shortcuts

Alt+Tab

Switch between open applications in all versions of Windows. Reverse the direction by pressing Alt+Shift+Tab at the same time.

Ctrl+Tab

Switches between program groups, tabs, or document windows in applications that support this feature. Reverse the direction by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Tab at the same time.

Alt+double-click

Display the properties of the object you double-click on in Windows 95 and later. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.

Alt+Print Screen

Create a screenshot only for the active program window in all versions of Windows. For example, if you opened the calculator and pressed these shortcut keys, only the calculator window would be created as a screenshot. If just the Print Screen key is pressed the whole screen will be made into a screenshot.

Ctrl+Alt+Del

Open the Windows option screen for locking computer, switching user, Task Manager, etc. in later versions of Windows. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del multiple times will reboot the computer.

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Immediately bring up the Windows Task Manager in Windows 2000 and later.

Ctrl+Esc

Open the Windows Start Menu in most versions of Windows. In Windows 8 this opens the Start screen and in Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.

Alt+Esc

Switch between open applications on Taskbar in Windows 95 and later.

Alt+Spacebar

Drops down the window control menu for the currently open Windows program in Windows 95 and later.

Alt+Enter

Opens properties window of selected icon or program in Windows 95 and later.

Shift+Del

Will delete any file or other object without throwing it into the Recycle Bin in Windows 95 and later.

Hold down the Shift key

When putting in an audio or data CD that uses Autoplay, holding down the Shift key will prevent that CD from playing.

All versions of Windows

WINKEY

Pressing the Windows key alone opens or hides the Windows Start Menu. In Windows 8, this opens or hides the Start screen.

WINKEY+F1

Open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.

WINKEY+Pause / Break key

Open the System Properties window.

WINKEY+D

Opens the Desktop to the top of all other windows.

WINKEY+E

Open Microsoft Windows Explorer.

WINKEY+F

Display the Windows Search or Find feature.

WINKEY+Ctrl+F

Display the search for computers window.

WINKEY+L

Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only).

WINKEY+M

Minimizes all windows.

WINKEY+Shift+M

Undo the minimize done by WINKEY+M and WINKEY+D.

WINKEY+R

Open the run window.

WINKEY+U

Open Utility Manager or the Ease of Access Center.

Windows XP only

WINKEY+Tab

Cycle through open programs on the Taskbar.

Windows 7 and 8 only

WINKEY+1-0

Pressing the Windows key and any of the top row number keys from 1 to 0 opens the program corresponding to the number of the program icon on the Taskbar. For example, if the first icon on the Taskbar was Internet Explorer, pressing WINKEY+1 would open that program or switch to it if already open.

WINKEY+(Plus (+) or Minus (-))

Open Windows Magnifier and zoom in with the plus symbol (+) and zoom out with the minus symbol (-).

• Press the WINKEY+ESC to close the Magnifier

WINKEY+Home

Minimize all windows except the active window.

WINKEY+P

Change between the monitor and projection display types or how second screen displays computer screen.

WINKEY+T

Set the focus on the Taskbar icons.

WINKEY+Left arrow

Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing.

WINKEY+Right arrow

Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing.

WINKEY+Up arrow

When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size.

WINKEY+Down arrow

Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size.

Windows 8 only

WINKEY+,

Peek at the Windows Desktop.

WINKEY+.

Snap a Windows App to the sides of the screen. Pressing it multiple times will switch between the right and left-hand side of the screen or unsnap the app.

WINKEY+Enter

Open Windows Narrator

WINKEY+C

Open the Charms.

WINKEY+G

Cycle through Desktop gadgets.

WINKEY+H

Open Share in Charms.

WINKEY+I

Open the Settings in Charms.

WINKEY+J

Switch between snapped apps.

WINKEY+K

Open Devices in Charms.

WINKEY+O

Lock the screen orientation.

WINKEY+X

Open the power user menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want to use such as Device Manager, Control Panel, Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and much more.