| Shortcut Keys |
3.x |
95 |
98 |
ME |
NT |
2000 |
XP |
Vista |
Description |
| Alt + Tab |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Switch between open applications. |
| Alt + Shift + Tab |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Switch backwards between open applications. |
| Alt + double-click |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties. |
| Ctrl + Tab |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature. |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Same as above but backwards. |
| Alt + Print Screen |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Del |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager. |
| Ctrl + Esc |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager. |
| Alt + Esc |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Switch Between open applications on taskbar. |
| F1 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Activates help for current open application. |
| F2 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Renames selected Icon. |
| F3 |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Starts find from desktop. |
| F4 |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Opens the drive selection when browsing. |
| F5 |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Refresh Contents. |
| F10 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Activates menu bar. |
| Shift + F10 |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Simulates right-click on selected item. |
| F4 |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar. |
| Alt + F4 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Closes Current open program. |
| Ctrl + F4 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Closes Window in Program. |
| F6 |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane. |
| Ctrl + Space bar |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Drops down the window control menu. |
| Ctrl + (the '+' key on the keypad) |
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer |
| Alt + Enter |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Opens properties window of selected icon or program. |
| Shift + Del |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin. |
| Holding Shift |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting. |
| Holding Shift |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing. |
| Enter |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Activates the highlighted program. |
| Alt + Down arrow |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Display all available options on drop down menu. |
| * (on the keypad) |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer. |
| + (on the keypad) |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer. |
| - (on the keypad) |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer. |
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