Computer and Software Support


Keyboard shortcuts

Click on the hyperlink for instructions for that step or on for a picture of that step.

Click the list of shortcuts you want to see

Here is a list of keyboard shortcuts

To Press
Copy CTRL+C
Cut CTRL+X
Paste CTRL+V
Undo CTRL+Z
Delete DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin SHIFT+DELETE
Copy Selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item. F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the previous word CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys.
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder. F3
View properties for the selected item. ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously. CTRL+F4
Switch between open items. ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened. ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start Menu CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu ALT_Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program F10
Open the next menu to the right or open a submenu RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task ESC
Prevent the CD from automatically playing. SHIFT when you insert a CD in CD-ROM drive

Use these shortcuts for dialog boxes:

To Press
   
Move forward through tabs. CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options. TAB
Move backward through options. SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button. ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display Help. F1
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE

If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key, you can use these keyboard shortcuts:

To Press
Display or hide the Start menu. Windows logo key
Display the System Properties dialog box. Windows logo key+BREAK
Show the desktop Windows logo key+D
Minimize all windows. Windows logo key+M
Restores minimized windows. Windows logo key+Shift+M
Open My Computer. Windows logo key+E
Search for a file or folder. Windows logo key+F
Search for computers.
CTRL+
Windows logo key+F
Display Windows Help Windows logo key+F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. Windows logo key+L
Open the Run dialog box. Windows logo key+R
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. Application key
Open Utility Manager. Windows logo key+U

Helpful accessibility keyboard shortcuts:

To Press
Switch Filterkeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT +left Shift +PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager Windows logo key+U

Keyboard shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer:

To Press
Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad(-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW

Notes

  • You must associate a password with your user account to secure it from unauthorized access. If you do not have a password associated with your user account, pressing the +L will not prevent other users from accessing your account information.
  • Some keyboard shortcuts may not work if StickyKeys is turned on in Accessibility Options.
  • If you are connected to Windows through Microsoft Terminal Services Client, some shortcuts have changed. For more information, see Microsoft's online documentation for Terminal Services Client.

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