Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts

Getting used to using your keyboard exclusively and leaving your mouse behind will make you much more efficient at performing any task on any Windows system. I use the following keyboard shortcuts every day:

• Windows key + R = Run menu

This is usually followed by:

• cmd = Command Prompt
• iexplore + “web address” = Internet Explorer
• compmgmt.msc = Computer Management
• dhcpmgmt.msc = DHCP Management
• dnsmgmt.msc = DNS Management
• services.msc = Services
• eventvwr = Event Viewer
• dsa.msc = Active Directory Users and Computers
• dssite.msc = Active Directory Sites and Services
• Windows key + E = Explorer
• ALT + Tab = Switch between windows
• ALT, Space, X = Maximize window
• CTRL + Shift + Esc = Task Manager
• Windows key + Break = System properties
• Windows key + F = Search
• Windows key + D = Hide/Display all windows
• CTRL + C = copy
• CTRL + X = cut
• CTRL + V = paste

Also don’t forget about the “Right-click” key next to the right Windows key on your keyboard. Using the arrows and that key can get just about anything done once you’ve opened up any program.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• [Alt] and [Esc] Switch between running applications
• [Alt] and letter Select menu item by underlined letter
• [Ctrl] and [Esc] Open Program Menu
• [Ctrl] and [F4] Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)
• [Alt] and [F4] Quit active application or close current window
• [Alt] and [-] Open Control menu for active document
• [Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow Move cursor forward or back one word
• [Ctrl] Up, Down arrow Move cursor forward or back one paragraph
• [F1] Open Help for active application
• Windows+M Minimize all open windows
• Shift+Windows+M Undo minimize all open windows
• Windows+F1 Open Windows Help
• Windows+Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons
• Windows+Break Open the System Properties dialog box

Accessibility shortcuts

• Right SHIFT for eight seconds…….. Switch FilterKeys on and off.
• Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN……. Switch High Contrast on and off.
• Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK……. Switch MouseKeys on and off.
• SHIFT……. five times Switch StickyKeys on and off.
• NUM LOCK…… for five seconds Switch ToggleKeys on and off.

Explorer shortcuts

• 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 current selection if it’s expanded, or select parent folder.
• RIGHT ARROW……. Display current selection if it’s collapsed, or select first subfolder.
• Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run
• devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
• msinfo32 = System Information
• cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
• ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
• mmc = Microsoft Management Console
• excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
• msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
• powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
• winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
• frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
• notepad = Notepad
• wordpad = WordPad
• calc = Calculator
• msmsgs = Windows Messenger
• mspaint = Microsoft Paint
• wmplayer = Windows Media Player
• rstrui = System Restore
• netscp6 = Netscape 6.x
• netscp = Netscape 7.x
• netscape = Netscape 4.x
• waol = America Online
• control = Opens the Control Panel
• control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog