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Tips to assist your productivity in the workplace or at home!

 

Microsoft Windows shortcut keys I use and would like to pass on !  

I hope you find this information as helpful as I did!

 

Example, if it says Alt + F, you would hold down the Alt key and strike the F key, then release both keys at the same time.  

 

Shortcut Keys  

Description  

Alt + Tab  

Switch between open applications.  

Alt + Shift + Tab  

Switch backwards between open applications.  

Alt + double-click 

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

Ctrl + Tab  

Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature.  

Ctrl + Shift + Tab  

Same as above but backwards.  

Alt + Print Screen  

Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.  

Ctrl + Alt + Del  

Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.  

Ctrl + Esc  

Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.  

Alt + Esc  

Switch Between open applications on taskbar.  

F1  

Activates help for current open application.  

F2  

Renames selected Icon.  

F3  

Starts find from desktop.  

F4  

Opens the drive selection when browsing.  

F5  

Refresh Contents.  

F10  

Activates menu bar.  

Shift + F10  

Simulates right-click on selected item.  

F4  

Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar.  

Alt + F4  

Closes Current open program.  

Ctrl + F4  

Closes Window in Program.  

F6  

Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane.  

Ctrl + Space bar  

Drops down the window control menu.  

Ctrl + (the '+' key on the keypad)  

Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer  

Alt + Enter  

Opens properties window of selected icon or program.  

Shift + Del  

Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin.  

Holding Shift  

Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting. 

Holding Shift  

When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.  

Enter  

Activates the highlighted program. 

Alt + Down arrow  

Display all available options on drop down menu. 

* (on the keypad)  

Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer. 

+ (on the keypad)  

Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.  

- (on the keypad) 

Collapses the currently 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 (Start) key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows/Start key is represented by "WINKEY". 

Shortcut Keys  

Description  

WINKEY (Start Key) or  

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. 

WINKEY + SHIFT + M 

Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + 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 key  

Open the system properties window. 

WINKEY + U 

Open Utility Manager. 

WINKEY + L 

Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).