Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Windows as well as the
versions of Microsoft Windows they're supported in. If you're looking for shortcut keys
or information about how to navigate Microsoft Windows using your keyboard instead
of the mouse see document CH000791. See our main shortcut page if you're looking
for other shortcut keys used in other programs.

Shortcut
3.x 95 98 ME NT 2000 XP Vista Description
Keys
Alt + Tab Switch between open
X X X X X X X X
applications.
Alt + Shift + Switch backwards between
X X X X X X X X
Tab open applications.
Alt + Display the properties of the
double-click object you double-click on. For
X X X X X X X
example, doing this on a file
would display its properties.
Ctrl + Tab Switches between program
groups or document windows in
X X X X X X X X
applications that support this
feature.
Ctrl + Shift Same as above but backwards.
X X X X X X X X
+ Tab
Alt + Print Create a screen shot only for
Screen X X X X X X X X the program you are currently
in.
Ctrl + Alt + Reboot the computer and/or
Del X X X X X X X X bring up the Windows task
manager.
Ctrl + Esc Bring up the Windows Start
menu. In Windows 3.x this
X X X X X X X X
would bring up the Task
Manager.
Alt + Esc Switch Between open
X X X X X X X
applications on taskbar.
F1 Activates help for current open
X X X X X X X X
application.
F2 X X X X X X X X Renames selected Icon.
F3 X X X X X X X Starts find from desktop.
F4 Opens the drive selection when
X X X X X X X
browsing.
F5 X X X X X X X Refresh Contents.
F10 X X X X X X X X Activates menu bar.
Shift + F10 Simulates right-click on
X X X X X X X
selected item.
F4 Select a different location to
X X X X X X X browse in the Windows Explorer
toolbar.
Alt + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Current open program.
Ctrl + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Window in Program.
F6 Move cursor to different
X X X X X X X
Windows Explorer pane.
Ctrl + Space Drops down the window control
X X X X X X X X
bar menu.
Ctrl + (the Automatically adjust the widths
'+' key on X X X X X X of all the columns in Windows
the keypad) explorer
Alt + Enter Opens properties window of
X X X X X X X
selected icon or program.
Shift + Del Delete programs/files without
X X X X X X X throwing them into the recycle
bin.
Holding Boot Safe Mode or by pass
Shift X X X X X X X X system files as the computer is
booting.
Holding When putting in an audio CD,
Shift X X X X X X X will prevent CD Player from
playing.
Enter Activates the highlighted
X X X X X X X X
program.
Alt + Down Display all available options on
X X X X X X X
arrow drop down menu.
* (on the X X X X X X X Expands all folders on the
keypad) currently selected folder or
 drive in Windows Explorer.
+ (on the Expands only the currently
keypad) X X X X X X X selected folder in Windows
Explorer.
- (on the Collapses the currently
keypad) X X X X X X X selected folder in Windows
Explorer.

Windows key keyboard shortcuts

Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft
Windows operating system and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list
of shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by "WINKEY".

Shortcut Keys Description

WINKEY Pressing the Windows key alone will open Start.
WINKEY + F1 Opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
WINKEY + F3 Opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
WINKEY + D  Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
WINKEY + M Minimizes all windows.
Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY +
WINKEY + SHIFT + M
D.
WINKEY + E Open Microsoft Explorer.
WINKEY + Tab Cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
WINKEY + F Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
WINKEY + CTRL + F  Display the search for computers window.
WINKEY + F1 Display the Microsoft Windows help.
WINKEY + R Open the run window.
WINKEY + Pause / Break
Open the system properties window.
key 
WINKEY + U Open Utility Manager.
WINKEY + L Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).