Microsoft Windows Shortcut Keys

Here is a List of some common shortcut keys in different versions Microsoft Windows.Some shortcut keys below are not supported for all versions of Windows.









Shortcut Key                    Short Key Description
Alt + (double-click)                   Open Properties dialog of selected item.
Alt + Enter                   Opens properties window of selected item.
Alt + Esc                           Switch Between open tasks available on the taskbar.
Alt + F4                          Close the top (focused) window.
Alt + Tab                           Switch between open windows.
Alt + Tab + Shift           Switch between open windows, backward.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete (or Del)     Bring up the Windows Task Manager, or reboot computer.
Ctrl + Esc                           Bring up the Windows Start menu.
Ctrl + F4                           Close sub window/tab.
Ctrl + Tab                  Switch between existing tabs (within a window).
Ctrl + Tab + Shift         Switch between existing tabs (within a window), backward
F1                               Open Help for Windows or focused application.
F2                                Rename.
F3                                Find/Search.
F4                              Select drives or display the list of drives
F5                                 Refresh.
F6                              Switch focus to the address bar (if exists).
F10                               Switch focus to the top menu bar.
Shift + F10               Same as mouse right-click on the select item.
Print Screen                   Capture a screenshot of the entire desktop to clipboard.
Print Screen + Alt          Capture a screenshot of just the top(focused) window to clipboard.
Shift + Delete (or Del)         Permanently delete selected file(s)/folder(s) (bypass recycle bin)
* (keypad) on Windows Explorer      Expand all sub-directories from the selected item.
+ (keypad) on Windows Explorer        Expand only the first level of selected item.
- (keypad) on Windows Explorer        Collapse


Using  WINDOWS Key


Shortcut Keys                                 Description
WINDOWS-KEY                        Bring up the Windows Start menu.
WINDOWS-KEY + F1                Bring up the Windows Help.
WINDOWS-KEY + e                 Open Microsoft Explorer.
WINDOWS-KEY + f                 Windows Search.
WINDOWS-KEY + Ctrl + f           Search for computers
WINDOWS-KEY + d                 Minimizes all and bring up desktop, or restore all
WINDOWS-KEY + l                  Lock the computer (Windows XP & newer).
WINDOWS-KEY + m                  Minimizes all windows.
WINDOWS-KEY + Shift + M        Restore all.
WINDOWS-KEY + r                  Open the run window.
WINDOWS-KEY + u                    Utility Manager.
WINDOWS-KEY + Tab                     Cycle through the programs on task bar.
WINDOWS-KEY + Pause/Break            Open the System Properties window.