Shortcut Keys used on Windows Operating System

Shortcut key combinations can provide a quicker method of navigating through and using Windows programs. They are usually accessed by using the CTRL, ALT, and/or SHIFT  keys (referred to as Modifier keys) in combination with another single key. The normal way of referring to a shortcut combination of keys, is to quote the ‘Modifier’ key followed by a ‘+’ sign and then the Single key. For example "CTRL+C" means, press and hold the ‘CTRL’ key and while holding the ‘CTRL’ key, pressing the C key to execute the shortcut.  

There follows a list of  basic shortcut keys which should work OK with most Windows based PCs. Some are much more common than others – for instance, we all know the dreaded CTRL+ALT+DEL when our PC decides to take a Nose Dive into oblivion !!!

There are some duplicated functions within the shortcut keys.

Shortcut Keys Description  (Not an exhaustive list…)

Key Combination 			Effect
Ctrl + C 		Copies a selected item to the Windows Clipboard..
Ctrl + Ins 		Same as Ctrl + C
Ctrl + V 		Pastes the content of Windows Clipboard to the Current Cursor Position.
Ctrl + X 		Cut selected item.– similar to Copy but deletes the original item after Pasting.
Ctrl + Home 		Moves the cursor  to the beginning of a document. 
Ctrl + End 		Moves the cursor  to the end of a document.
Ctrl + A 		Selects all the text in a document. 
Ctrl + Left arrow 	Moves the cursor one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow  	Moves the cursor one word to the right at a time. 
Ctrl + Backspace 	Deletes the word immediately to the left of cursor.
Ctrl + Del 		Deletes the word immediately to the right of cursor.
Ctrl + Enter		Forces a new page immediately after the current cursor position.
Home Key Only	Moves the cursor to the beginning of current line.
End  Key Only	Moves the cursor to the end of current line. 
Alt + F 		Opens the dropdown File menu options in current program. 
Alt + E 		Opens the dropdown Edit menu options in current program 
F1  Key Only		Opens the Help facility in most Windows programs. 
Shift + Del 		Same as Ctrl + X ( Cut the selected item. ) 
Shift + Ins 		Same as Ctrl + V ( Paste the selected Item )
Shift + End 		Highlights / selects from the current cursor position to the end of line. 
Shift + Home 		Highlights / selects from the current position to beginning of line. 

Windows Specific Shortcuts		

Key Combination 				Effect
Ctrl + Esc  		Displays the ‘Start’ menu – same as clicking on ‘Start’ Icon.
Alt + F4  		Closes Current application with prompt to save if necessary.
Alt + Print Screen  	Copy the current screen content to the Clipboard.
Alt + Esc  		Move through selection of open applications in the taskbar. 
Alt + Shift + Tab  	Move backward through open applications. 
Alt + Tab  		Move forward through open applications.
Alt + Enter  		Opens properties window of a selected icon on the Desktop
Shift + Del   		Delete programs/files, bypassing the recycle bin
Shift + F10  		Same as right clicking on selected item – ‘Context’ menu appears.
F2  			Allows renaming of a  selected Icon on the Desktop
F3  			Opens the ‘Search’ facility, when viewing the Desktop and Internet Explorer.  
F4  			Opens the Website history when viewing Internet Explorer. 
F5  			Refresh the current Internet Page in Internet Explorer.
F6			Highlights the Address panel in Internet Explorer.
F11			Maximises Internet Explorer display.
Holding Shift  	Prevents Program CD from ‘Auto-Booting’ and prevents CD Player from playing Audio, when a CD is inserted in the Drive. 

Using the ‘Windows Key’

The ‘Windows Key’ is normally located in two positions on a keyboard – to the Left of the Left ‘ALT’ key and to the Right of the Right ‘ALT’ key. They are marked with a small ‘Windows’ Logo.
These keys in combination with other keys, provide more useful shortcuts.

Key Combination			Effect

WINKEY  Alone		Opens Start Menu – same as clicking ‘Start’ Icon
WINKEY + D  		Minimizes all windows and returns the user to the desktop. 
WINKEY + E 			Opens ‘My Computer’ Window
WINKEY + F 			Display the Windows Search / Find feature. 
WINKEY + L 			Log Off (Windows XP).
WINKEY + M 		Minimizes all windows. 
WINKEY + SHIFT + M 	Undo the minimize. 
WINKEY + R 		Opens the run window. 
WINKEY + U 		Opens Utility Manager. 
WINKEY + F1 		Display the Microsoft Windows help. 
WINKEY + Tab 		Cycle through open programs through the taskbar. 
WINKEY + CTRL + F  	Display the search for computers on a network window. 
WINKEY + Pause / Break 	Opens the system properties window.