General Keyboard Shortcuts:
  • CTRL+C (Copy)
  • CTRL+X (Cut)
  • CTRL+V (Paste)
  • CTRL+Z (Undo)
  • DELETE (Delete)
  • SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
  • CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
  • CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
  • F2 key (Rename the selected item)
  • CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
  • CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
  • CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
  • CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
  • CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
  • SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
  • CTRL+A (Select all) F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
  • ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
  • ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
  • ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
  • ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
  • CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
  • ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
  • ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
  • F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
  • F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
  • SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
  • ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
  • CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
  • ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
  • Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
  • F10 key (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 key (Update the active window)
  • BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
  • ESC (Cancel the current task)
  • SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)

 

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 Keyboard Shortcuts:
  • CTRL+click (Open links in a new tab in the background)
  • CTRL+SHIFT+click (Open links in a new tab in the foreground)
  • CTRL+T (Open a new tab in the foreground)
  • ALT+ENTER (Open a new tab from the Address bar)
  • ALT+ENTER (Open a new tab from the search box)
  • CTRL+Q (Open Quick Tabs - thumbnail view)
  • CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Switch between tabs)
  • CTRL+n (n can be 1-8) (Switch to a specific tab number)
  • CTRL+9 (Switch to the last tab)
  • CTRL+W (Close current tab)
  • ALT+F4 (Close all tabs)
  • CTRL+ALT+F4 (Close other tabs)

For more information, visit: http://www.microsoft.com

 

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts:
If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself when you move the focus to another control.
  • CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
  • CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
  • TAB (Move forward through the options)
  • SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
  • ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
  • ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
  • SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
  • Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
  • F1 key (Display Help)
  • F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
  • BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

 

Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts:
  • END (Display the bottom of the active window)
  • HOME (Display the top of the active window)
  • NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
  • NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
  • NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
  • LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
  • RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

 

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Shortcuts:
  • Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
  • Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
  • Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
  • Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
  • Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
  • Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
  • Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
  • CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
  • Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
  • Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
  • Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
  • Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

 

Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts:
  • Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
  • Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
  • Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
  • SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
  • NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
  • Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

 

Remote Desktop Connection Navigation:
  • CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
  • ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
  • ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
  • ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
  • ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
  • CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
  • ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
  • CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
  • CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

 

Other Information:
Some keyboard shortcuts may not work if StickyKeys is turned on in Accessibility Options.

Some of the Terminal Services client shortcuts that are similar to the shortcuts in Remote Desktop Sharing are not available when you use Remote Assistance in Windows XP Home Edition.

 

 

Final Words:
Windows hot keys are all intended to provide some sort of convenient alternative to common tasks, and whether specific combinations do so is up to the individual to decide. Some are simple time-saving motions, while others are complex maneuvers in finger gymnastics. There are dozens of other common Windows shortcuts (and even more related to specific software titles), and memorizing just a few of the more basic ones may be worth the time-savings they can afford you.