General keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
| CTRL+C | Copy the selected item |
| CTRL+X | Cut the selected item |
| CTRL+V | Paste the selected item |
| CTRL+Z | Undo an action |
| DELETE | Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin |
| SHIFT+DELETE | Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| CTRL+RIGHT ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word |
| CTRL+LEFT ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
| CTRL+DOWN ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
| CTRL+UP ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
| CTRL+SHIFT with an arrow key | Select a block of text |
| SHIFT with any arrow key | Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document |
| CTRL+A | Select all items in a document or window |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder |
| ALT+ENTER | Display properties for the selected item |
| ALT+F4 | Close the active item, or exit the active program |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Open the shortcut menu for the active window |
| CTRL+F4 | Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously) |
| ALT+TAB | Switch between open items |
| CTRL+ALT+TAB | Use the arrow keys to switch between open items |
+TAB |
Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
CTRL+ +TAB |
Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
| ALT+ESC | Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened |
| F6 | Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop |
| F4 | Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer |
| SHIFT+F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item |
| CTRL+ESC | Open the Start menu |
| ALT+underlined letter | Display the corresponding menu |
| ALT+underlined letter | Perform the menu command (or other underlined command) |
| F10 | Activate the menu bar in the active program |
| RIGHT ARROW | Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu |
| LEFT ARROW | Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu |
| F5 | Refresh the active window |
| ALT+UP ARROW | View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer |
| ESC | Cancel the current task |
| CTRL+SHIFT+ESC | Open Task Manager |
| SHIFT when you insert a CD | Prevent the CD from automatically playing |
Microsoft keyboard shortcuts
| Press this key | To do this |
![]() |
Open or close the Start menu |
+BREAK |
Display the System Properties dialog box |
+D |
Display the desktop |
+M |
Minimize all windows |
+SHIFT+M |
Restore minimized windows to the desktop |
+E |
Open Computer |
+F |
Search for a file or folder |
CTRL+ +F |
Search for computers (if you are on a network) |
+L |
Lock your computer (if you are connected to a network domain), or switch users (if you’re not connected to a network domain) |
+R |
Open the Run dialog box |
+T |
Cycle through programs on the taskbar |
+TAB |
Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
CTRL+ +TAB |
Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
+SPACEBAR |
Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar |
+G |
Cycle through Sidebar gadgets |
+U |
Open Ease of Access Center |
+X |
Open Windows Mobility Center |
Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
|
Press this key |
To do this |
|
END |
Display the bottom of the active window |
|
HOME |
Display the top of the active window |
|
NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) on numeric keypad |
Display all subfolders under the selected folder |
|
NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN (+) on numeric keypad |
Display the contents of the selected folder |
|
NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad |
Collapse the selected folder |
|
LEFT ARROW |
Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folder |
|
ALT+LEFT ARROW |
View the previous folder |
|
RIGHT ARROW |
Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder |
|
ALT+RIGHT ARROW |
View the next folder |
|
ALT+D |
Select the Address bar |
+TAB
