Windows Keyboard Shortcuts You Definitely Need To Know

Using a Windows operating system can be made easier with the use of keyboard shortcuts. This article lists the most shortcuts used for different Windows applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Windows System

Windows Key will open the Start menu.

Windows Key+Break will display the System Properties dialog box.

Windows Key+D will minimize all windows to display the Desktop.

Windows Key+E will open Internet Explorer.

Windows Key+F will open the Search option for files and folders.

Windows Key+F+CTRL will open the Search option for the entire computer.

Windows Key+F1 will display the Help/Assistance option.

Windows Key+L will lock your Desktop.

Windows Key+M will minimize or restore all windows.

Windows Key+R will open the RUN option.

Windows Key+TAB will switch between open items.

Windows Key+U will open the Utility Manager.

ALT+ ENTER will display the properties of a selected object.

ALT+ ESC will shuffle through selected items in the order that they were opened.

ALT+ F4 will close all of the windows that are open.

ALT+ SPACEBAR will display the System menu.

ALT+TAB will switch from one open program to another on your task bar.

F1 is used to request help/assistance.

SHIFT If you press and hold down the SHIFT key while inserting a CD-ROM, it will skip the automatic run feature.

SHIFT+DELETE will delete a file permanently.

CTRL+ESC will open the Start menu.

In a General Folder and Text Programs

Ctrl + A will select all items.

Ctrl + B will organize your Favorites in Internet Explorer.

Ctrl + C will copy the selected item.

Ctrl + F will open the Search option.

Ctrl + H will allow you to replace designated text.

Ctrl + N will create a new folder.

Ctrl + O will open a new document.

Ctrl + P will print the selected document.

Ctrl + S will save the current document.

Ctrl + V will copy the selected item.

Ctrl + W will close the current window.

Ctrl + X will cut the selected item.

Ctrl + Y will repeat the last action that has been cancelled.

Ctrl + Z will undo the last action.

In a General Folder

F10 will open Menu Bar options.

CTRL+F4 will list the address menu paths.

SHIFT+F10 will open the right-click shortcut menu.

ALT+DOWN ARROW will open a drop-down list box.

ALT+SPACE will show the window's System menu.

For a Selected Item in a Folder

F2 is used to rename a selected item.

F3 will open the Search option.

F5 will refresh the current folder.

F6 will move along the panes in Windows Explorer.

CTRL+ X will cut an item.

CTRL+ C will copy an item.

CTRL+ V will paste an item.

SHIFT+DELETE will delete the selected item permanently.

ALT+ENTER will open the properties option for the selected item.

CTRL+ G will open the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only).

CTRL+ A will select all the items in the current window.

BACKSPACE will switch to the parent folder.

For Microsoft Word

CTRL+ N will promptly open a Word document.

CTRL+ O will open a previously saved Word document.

CTRL+ W will close the current window without exiting Word.

CTRL+ S will save the current document.

CTRL+ P will promptly print the current document.

CTRL+ Z will undo the last action.

CTRL+ Y will restore an undone action.

CTRL+ X will cut the selected text.

CTRL+ C will copy the selected text.

CTRL+ V will paste the selected text.

CTRL+ A will select the whole document.

CTRL+ F will search for specific text in the current document.

CTRL+ B will bold the selected text.

CTRL+ I will put in italics the selected text.

CTRL+ U will underline the selected text.

For Microsoft Excel

CTRL+ N will promptly open an Excel document.

CTRL+ O will open a previously saved Excel document.

CTRL+ W will close the current window without exiting Excel.

CTRL+ S will save the current document.

CTRL+ P will promptly print the current document.

CTRL+ Z will undo the last action.

CTRL+ Y will restore an undone action.

CTRL+ X will cut the selected text.

CTRL+ C will copy the selected text.

CTRL+ V will paste the selected text.

CTRL+ A will select the whole document.

CTRL+ F will search for specific text in the current document.

CTRL+ B will bold the selected text.

CTRL+ I will put in italics the selected text.

CTRL+ U will underline the selected text.

F1 will prompt the Help option.

F2 will edit the document.

F3 will paste the name.

F4 will repeat the last action.

F5 will open the Go To option.

F6 will switch to the next pane.

F7 will launch the Spell Check option.

F8 will enable Extend Mode.

F9 will recalculate all workbooks.

F10 will activate the menu bar.

F11 will open a new chart.

F12 will save the document.

For Microsoft PowerPoint

F4 will repeat the last action.

F5 will start a slide show.

F6 will switch to the next pane in a clockwise direction.

CTRL+ EQUAL SIGN will apply a subscript formatting.

CTRL+ ADDITION SIGN will apply a superscript formatting.

CTRL+ BACKSPACE will delete a word.

CTRL+ F will find a word/words in the text.

CTRL+ K will insert a hyperlink.

CTRL+ M will insert a slide.

CTRL+ I will set the text into italics.

CTRL+ D will copy the current slide.

CTRL+ O will open a previously saved PowerPoint file.

CTRL+ T will open a Font dialogue box.

CTRL+ Y will repeat last action.

CTRL+ G to view guides.

SHIFT+ ALT+ LEFT ARROW will start a new paragraph.

SHIFT+ F3 will capitalize selected text.

SHIFT+ALT+ RIGHT ARROW will remove a paragraph.

SHIFT+F6 will turn the previous pane counterclockwise.

For Internet Explorer

F1 will display the help option.

F11 will allow the full screen option.

TAB KEY will enable you to move through the items, address bar, and links on your webpage.

ALT+HOME will go to your home page.

ALT+LEFT ARROW will go to the previous page.

SHIFT+F10 will display a shortcut menu for the link.

CTRL+TAB will move forward between tabs.

SHIFT+CTRL+TAB will move back between frames.

UP ARROW KEY will scroll toward the beginning of the webpage.

DOWN ARROW KEY will scroll toward the end of the webpage.

PAGE UP will scroll by sections toward the beginning of the webpage.

PAGE DOWN will scroll by sections toward the end of the webpage.

HOME will move directly to the beginning of the webpage.

END will move directly to the end of the webpage.

CTRL+F will find chosen text on the page.

F5 will refresh the current page.

ESC will stop loading the page.

CTRL+ N will open a new window.

CTRL+ E will open the Search option in the Explorer bar.

CTRL+ I will open the Favorites option in Explorer bar.

CTRL+ H will open the History option in Explorer bar.

For Windows Media Player

ALT + 1 (2 or 3) will zoom in 50% (100% or 200%).

ALT + Enter will toggle ON and OFF full screen.

Esc will exit full screen.

ALT + Left arrow will take a step back in your navigation history.

ALT + Right arrow will move forward in your navigation history.

CTRL + 1 will switch to full screen.

CTRL + 2 will switch to skin mode.

CTRL + B will go to the previous item or chapter.

CTRL + F will go to the next item or chapter.

CTRL + M will toggle shuffle.

CTRL + T will toggle repeat.

CTRL + M will show/hide the Classic Menus.

CTRL + N will create a new playlist.

CTRL + O will open a file.

CTRL + P will toggle Play/Pause.

CTRL + U will specify a URL or file path.

Ctrl + Shift + C will enable/disable captions and subtitles.

F2 will rename the selected item.

F3 will add media files to the library.

F5 will update information.

F6 will increase the size of the album cover.

Shift + F6 will reduce the size of the album cover.

F7 will disable volume.

F8 will decrease volume.

F9 will increase volume.

Share...