Most keyboards have at least one key with a Windows logo similar to the one below printed on it:
Pressing only this key will open the Start menu, but pressing it, holding it down then pressing another key simultaneously allows you to perform a variety of shortcuts that can help you to save some time while you are using your computer.
From here on this will be referred to as the Win key.
Shortcuts using the Windows key
- Win : Opens the Start menu and places the cursor in the search box in Vista and Windows 7
- Win + M : Minimizes all windows
- Win + Shift + M : Returns all windows to their previous state before you pressed Win + M
- Win + E : Opens a new Windows Explorer window, equivalent to clicking Computer in the Start menu
- Win + D : Minimizes any open windows and shows the desktop
- Win + Tab : Cycles between any open programs while displaying them in a jazzy looking 3D view.
- Win + Ctrl + Tab : This is basically the same as the previous shortcut, except you can also use the left and right arrows to scroll through the available windows. When you have chosen which window you want, press the Win key again to focus on it.
- Win + Ctrl + F : Opens the Find Computers dialog box
- Win + F1 : Opens Help
- Win + R : Opens the Run dialog box
- Win + F : Opens the Find dialog box
- Win + L : Locks the computer instantly
- Win + Spacebar : Shows the desktop until you release the Windows key
- Win + X : Opens the mobility center
- Win + G : Bring gadgets to the front
- Win + T : Cycle through any open programs which are in the taskbar
- Win + + (plus key) : Opens the magnifier and zooms in. Press Win + - (minus key) to zoom out again
- Win + Up arrow : Maximizes the currently selected window
- Win + Down arrow : Restores the currently selected window to its original size or minimizes the selected window
- Win + Left arrow: Snaps the currently selected window to the left side of the screen
- Win + Right arrow : Snaps the currently selected window to the right side of the screen
- Win + Shift + Left : Jump to the left monitor (if you are using multiple monitors)
- Win + Shift + Right : Jump to the right monitor
- Win + Home : Minimize/Restore all windows apart from the currently selected window
- Win + any number key : This will open a new instance of the program in the corresponding slot on the task bar. For example, if the first slot on your task bar is occupied by Google Chrome and the second by Windows Explorer, pressing Win + 1 will open Chrome and pressing Win + 2 will open a new explorer window
Windows Explorer, internet browser and general shortcuts
- Ctrl + Alt + Delete : Displays an option screen allowing you to lock the computer, switch users, log off, change a password, start Task Manager, and select shutdown options.
- Backspace : In Windows Explorer, pressing backspace in a folder will switch back to the parent folder. In an internet browser, it will display the previous page you viewed
- Alt + Left Arrow : Go back to the parent folder, go back to the previous web page in your browser history
- Alt + Right Arrow : Go to the next web page in your browser history
- Ctrl + W : Closes the currently selected window
- Ctrl + Esc : Opens the Start menu
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc : Opens Windows Task Manager
- Ctrl + Tab : Cycle forwards through the tabs in a window
- Ctrl + Shift + Tab : Cycle backwards through the tabs in a window
- Ctrl + T : Open a new tab in your internet browser
- Ctrl - W : Close the current tab in your browser
- Alt + P : Show or hide the Preview Pane
- Esc : In a dialog box pressing Esc functions the same way as clicking the Cancel button
- Space : Performs an action on the currently selected control. If the current control is a button, pressing space clicks the button, if the control is a check box it checks the box
- Tab : In a window or dialog box pressing Tab cycles forward between any buttons, tabs or other clickable items
- Shift + Tab : Cycles backwards between any buttons, tabs or other clickable controls
- Alt + Tab : Cycles forward through any currently open windows. Hold Alt key to see the task switching menu
- Alt + Shift + Tab : Cycles backwards through any currently open windows
- Alt : Show/Hide File - Edit - Tools etc menu
- Alt + Space : Shows Restore/Move/Minimize/Maximize menu
- Alt + Enter : Opens the properties window for the currently selected file or folder
- Alt + Underlined letter in a window or menu etc.. : Same as left clicking on the word with the underlined letter
- Alt + F4 : Closes the currently selected program. If no programs are open shows the Windows shutdown menu
- Shift + Delete : Delete a folder or file permanently (The file will not go to the recycle bin)
- Press Shift 5 times : Turn Sticky Keys on or off
- Press and hold the right shift key for 8 seconds to turn Filter Keys on or off
- Holding down Ctrl while dragging a file to another folder to copies the selected file into that folder
- Holding down Ctrl + Shift while dragging a file to a folder creates a shortcut to that file
- Left Shift + Alt + Print Screen : Toggles High Contrast on and off
- F1 : Opens help
- F3 : Find
- F5 : Refreshes the current window
- F10 : Displays the menu bar
- Shift + F10 : Opens the shortcut menu, this performs the same function as right clicking on a file or folder
Taskbar shortcuts
These are mouse and keyboard shortcuts you can use on the icons in your taskbar.- Middle Mouse Button Click : Open a new instance of the application
- Shift + Click Left Mouse Button : Open a new instance of the application
- Ctrl + Shift + Left Click : Run the selected application with Administrator rights
- Shift + Right Click : Open menu for Minimize/Maximize/Restore and other options
- Ctrl + Click on an icon group : Cycle between the different windows or tabs in the group
Font Formatting
These shortcuts work in programs such as Microsoft Word, Wordpad, Notepad++, ConTEXT and many others. For bold, italic, and underline use the key combinations to toggle the functions on or off.- Ctrl + B : Bold
- Ctrl + I : Italic
- Ctrl + U : Underline
- Ctrl + L : Left justify
- Ctrl + R : Right justify
- Ctrl + E : Center
- Ctrl + A : Select everything in a document
- Ctrl + X : Cut
- Ctrl + C : Copy
- Ctrl + V : Paste
- Ctrl + Z : Undo last action
- Shift + F3 : Select a word/words and use this key combination to change the case
Mouse and keyboard combinations
- Alt + Double left click : Display the properties window for the selected file or folder
- Shift + Right click : Shows a menu with alternate commands/options
- Shift + Double left click : Runs the alternate default command, which is the second item from the right-click menu
- Click middle mouse button on a tab in a browser : Close selected tab
- Click middle mouse button on a link : Open selected link in a new tab or window in your browser
I'm sure I missed a few shortcuts but this list should give you plenty of new things to try.
If you have any questions, have any more shortcuts that you would like to see added to the list or noticed any errors please leave a comment, but be nice! :D
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