Below is a listing of all the more commonly used Windows shortcut keys for every version of Microsoft Windows. If you are looking for shortcut keys related to programs in Windows, like Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet browsers, and others, see our «Other computer keyboard shortcuts» page linked below.
General Windows keyboard shortcuts
Alt + Tab
Switch between open applications in all versions of Windows. Reverse the direction by pressing Alt + Shift + Tab at the same time.
Ctrl + Tab
Switches between program groups, tabs, or document windows in applications that support this feature. Reverse the direction by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Tab at the same time.
Alt +double-click
In Windows 95 or later, display the properties of the object you double-click. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.
Alt + Print Screen
Create a screenshot only for the active program window in all versions of Windows. For example, if you opened the calculator and pressed these shortcut keys, only the calculator window would be created as a screenshot. If the Print Screen key is pressed alone, the whole screen will be made into a screenshot.
Ctrl + Alt + Del
Open the Windows option screen for locking computer, switching user, Task Manager, etc. in later versions of Windows. Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del multiple times reboots the computer.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Immediately bring up the Windows Task Manager in Windows 2000 and later.
Ctrl + Esc
Open the Windows Start menu in most versions of Windows. In Windows 8, this opens the Start screen and in Windows 3.x, this opens the Task Manager.
Alt + Esc
Switch between open applications on Taskbar in Windows 95 and later.
Alt + Spacebar
Drops down the window control menu for the currently open Windows program in Windows 95 and later.
Alt + Enter
Opens properties window of selected icon or program in Windows 95 and later.
Shift + Del
Permanently delete any file or another object without throwing it into the Recycle Bin in Windows 95 and later.
Hold down the Shift key
When putting in an audio or data CD that uses Autoplay, holding down the Shift prevents that CD from playing.
Windows function key shortcuts
Below is a listing of keyboard shortcuts that use the keyboard function keys. See our what are F1 through F12 keys page for a full listing of what function keys do with all other programs.
Activates help for current open application. If you’re at the Windows desktop, this activates the help for Windows.
Renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
Starts find or search when at the Windows desktop in all versions of Windows.
In Windows 95 and later, F4 opens the drive selection or address bar when browsing files in Windows Explorer.
Pressing Alt + F4 closes the current open program window without a prompt in all versions of Windows.
Pressing Ctrl + F4 closes the open window in the current active window in Microsoft Windows. Only works in programs that support multiple windows or tabs in the same program window.
While in Windows Explorer, F6 moves the cursor to different Windows Explorer pane or in Windows 7 browse available drives.
Pressing F8 over and over as the computer is booting starts the computer in Safe Mode.
Activates the file menu bar in all versions of Windows.
Simulates a right-click of a selected item, which is useful if right-click is difficult or impossible using the mouse.
Windows keyboard key shortcuts
Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running Microsoft Windows 95 or later and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by » Windows key .» Because not all these shortcuts work in every version of Windows, we’ve mentioned which versions of Windows support each shortcut key combination.
All versions of Windows
Pressing the Windows key alone opens or hides the Windows Start menu. In Windows 8, this opens or hides the Start screen.
Windows key + F1
Open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
Windows key + Pause or Break
Display and hide the Windows desktop.
Display the Windows Search or Find feature.
Windows key + Ctrl + F
Display the search for computers window.
Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only).
Windows key + Shift + M
Undo the minimize done by Windows key + M and Windows key + D .
Open the run window.
Open Utility Manager or the Ease of Access Center.
Windows XP
Windows key + Tab
Cycle through open programs on the Taskbar.
Windows 7 and 8
Windows key + 1 — 0
Pressing the Windows key and any top row number key from 1 to 0 opens the program corresponding to the number of the program icon on the Taskbar. For example, if the first icon on the Taskbar is Internet Explorer, pressing Windows key + 1 would open that program or switch to it if already open.
Windows key +(Plus ( + ) or Minus ( — ))
Open Windows Magnifier and zoom in with the plus symbol (+) and zoom out with the minus symbol (-).
Press the Windows key + ESC to close the Magnifier.
Windows key + Home
Minimize all windows except the active window.
Change between the monitor and projection display types or how second screen displays computer screen.
Set the focus on the Taskbar icons.
Windows key + Left arrow
Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing.
Windows key + Right arrow
Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing.
Windows key + Up arrow
When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size.
Windows key + Down arrow
Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size.
Windows 8
Peek at the Windows desktop.
Snap a Windows App to the sides of the screen. Pressing it multiple times switches between the right and left side of the screen or unsnap the app.
Open the Power User Menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want to use such as Device Manager, Control Panel, Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and much more.
Windows 10
Peek at the Windows desktop.
Open the Windows 10 Action Center.
Open the Game bar. Only works if a game is running.
Open the Windows 10 Settings window.
Open the Windows Search utility.
Open the Power User Menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want to use such as Device Manager, Control Panel, Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and much more.
Windows 7 keyboard shortcut keys (full list)
by Shortcut Dude · Published November 8, 2009 · Updated January 27, 2021
Windows 7 comes up with interesting and useful shortcut key additions (take for instance the new windows logo key shortcuts) that are well worthy of being memorized/used. You can use this list of Windows 7 shortcut keys for reference. If you updated to newer versions you might want to check the shortcuts for Windows 8 or Windows 10.
General keyboard shortcuts
Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts
F1
Right Shift for eight seconds
Turn Filter Keys on and off
Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)
Copy the selected item
Left Alt+Left Shift+PrtScn (or PrtScn)
Turn High Contrast on or off
Ctrl+X
Cut the selected item
Left Alt+Left Shift+Num Lock
Turn Mouse Keys on or off
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)
Paste the selected item
Shift five times
Turn Sticky Keys on or off
Ctrl+Z
Num Lock for five seconds
Turn Toggle Keys on or off
Ctrl+Y
Windows logo key +U
Open the Ease of Access Center
Delete (or Ctrl+D)
Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Windows logo key keyboard shortcut
Shift+Delete
Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
Windows logo key
Open or close the Start menu.
F2
Rename the selected item
Windows logo key +Pause
Display the System Properties dialog box.
Ctrl+Right Arrow
Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Windows logo key +D
Display the desktop.
Ctrl+Left Arrow
Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Windows logo key +M
Minimize all windows.
Ctrl+Down Arrow
Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Windows logo key +Shift+M
Restore minimized windows to the desktop.
Ctrl+Up Arrow
Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Windows logo key +E
Ctrl+Shift with an arrow key
Select a block of text
Windows logo key +F
Search for a file or folder.
Shift with any arrow key
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
Ctrl+Windows logo key +F
Search for computers (if you’re on a network).
Ctrl with any arrow key+Spacebar
Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Windows logo key +L
Lock your computer or switch users.
Ctrl+A
Select all items in a document or window
Windows logo key +R
Open the Run dialog box.
F3
Search for a file or folder
Windows logo key +T
Cycle through programs on the taskbar.
Alt+Enter
Display properties for the selected item
Windows logo key + number
Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.
Alt+F4
Close the active item, or exit the active program
Shift+Windows logo key + number
Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Alt+Spacebar
Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Ctrl+Windows logo key + number
Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Ctrl+F4
Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Alt+Windows logo key + number
Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Alt+Tab
Switch between open items
Windows logo key +Tab
Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Alt+Tab
Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
Ctrl+Windows logo key +Tab
Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheel
Change the size of icons on the desktop
Ctrl+Windows logo key +B
Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.
Windows logo key +Tab
Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Windows logo key +Spacebar
Preview the desktop.
Ctrl+Windows logo key +Tab
Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Windows logo key +Up Arrow
Maximize the window.
Alt+Esc
Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Windows logo key +Left Arrow
Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
F6
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
Windows logo key +Right Arrow
Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
F4
Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
Windows logo key +Down Arrow
Minimize the window.
Shift+F10
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Windows logo key +Home
Minimize all but the active window.
Ctrl+Esc
Open the Start menu
Windows logo key +Shift+Up Arrow
Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Alt+underlined letter
Display the corresponding menu
Windows logo key +Shift+Left Arrow or Right Arrow
Move a window from one monitor to another.
Alt+underlined letter
Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)
Windows logo key +P
Choose a presentation display mode.
F10
Activate the menu bar in the active program
Windows logo key +G
Cycle through gadgets.
Right Arrow
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Windows logo key +U
Open Ease of Access Center.
Left Arrow
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
Windows logo key +X
Open Windows Mobility Center.
F5 (or Ctrl+R)
Refresh the active window
Taskbar keyboard shortcuts
Alt+Up Arrow
View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
Shift+Click on a taskbar button
Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program
Esc
Cancel the current task
Ctrl+Shift+Click on a taskbar button
Open a program as an administrator
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Open Task Manager
Shift+Right-click on a taskbar button
Show the window menu for the program
Shift when you insert a CD
Prevent the CD from automatically playing
Shift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar button
Show the window menu for the group
Left Alt+Shift
Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
Ctrl+Click on a grouped taskbar button
Cycle through the windows of the group
Ctrl+Shift
Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
Right or Left Ctrl+Shift
Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages
Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl+Tab
Move forward through tabs
Ctrl+Shift+Tab
Move back through tabs
Tab
Move forward through options
Shift+Tab
Move back through options
Alt+underlined letter
Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
Enter
Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
Spacebar
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow keys
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F1
F4
Display the items in the active list
Backspace
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
Windows 10 shortcut keys – the simple, complete list
November 11, 2015
by Shortcut Dude · Published November 11, 2015 · Last modified January 27, 2021
Wordpad shortcut keys
December 16, 2009
by Shortcut Dude · Published December 16, 2009 · Last modified January 27, 2021
General Windows XP keyboard shortcuts
by Shortcut Dude · Published August 13, 2009 · Last modified January 27, 2021
152 Responses
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Open Documents Folder – documents Open Videos folder – videos Open Downloads Folder – downloads Open Favorites Folder – favorites Open Recent Folder – recent Open Pictures Folder – pictures Windows Sideshow – control.exe /name Microsoft.WindowsSideshow Windows CardSpace – control.exe /name Microsoft.cardspace Windows Anytime Upgrade – WindowsAnytimeUpgradeui Taskbar and Start Menu – control.exe /name Microsoft.TaskbarandStartMenu Troubleshooting – control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting User Accounts – control.exe /name Microsoft.UserAccounts Adding a new Device – devicepairingwizard Add Hardware Wizard – hdwwiz Advanced User Accounts – netplwiz Advanced User Accounts – azman.msc Backup and Restore – sdclt Bluetooth File Transfer – fsquirt Calculator – calc Certificates – certmgr.msc Change Computer Performance Settings – systempropertiesperformance Change Data Execution Prevention Settings – systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention Change Data Execution Prevention Settings – printui Character Map – charmap ClearType Tuner – cttune Color Management – colorcpl Command Prompt – cmd Component Services – comexp.msc Component Services – dcomcnfg Computer Management – compmgmt.msc Computer Management – compmgmtlauncher Connessione proiettore di rete – netproj Connect to a Projector – displayswitch Control Panel – control Create A Shared Folder Wizard – shrpubw Create a System Repair Disc – recdisc Credential Backup and Restore Wizard – credwiz Data Execution Prevention – systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention Date and Time – timedate.cpl Default Location – locationnotifications Device Manager – devmgmt.msc Device Manager – hdwwiz.cpl Device Pairing Wizard – devicepairingwizard Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard – msdt Digitizer Calibration Tool – tabcal DirectX Diagnostic Tool – dxdiag Disk Cleanup – cleanmgr Disk Defragmenter – dfrgui Disk Management – diskmgmt.msc Display – dpiscaling Display Color Calibration – dccw Display Switch – displayswitch DPAPI Key Migration Wizard – dpapimig Driver Verifier Manager – verifier Ease of Access Center – utilman EFS Wizard – rekeywiz Event Viewer – eventvwr.msc Fax Cover Page Editor – fxscover File Signature Verification – sigverif Font Viewer – fontview Game Controllers – joy.cpl Getting Started – gettingstarted IExpress Wizard – iexpress Getting Started – irprops.cpl Install or Uninstall Display Languages – lusrmgr Internet Explorer – iexplore Internet Options – inetcpl.cpl iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool – iscsicpl Language Pack Installer – lpksetup Local Group Policy Editor – gpedit.msc Local Security Policy – secpol.msc Local Users and Groups – lusrmgr.msc Location Activity – locationnotifications Magnifier – magnify Malicious Software Removal Tool – mrt Manage Your File Encryption Certificates – rekeywiz Math Input Panel – mip Microsoft Management Console – mmc Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool – msdt Mouse – main.cpl NAP Client Configuration – napclcfg.msc Narrator – narrator Network Connections – ncpa.cpl New Scan Wizard – wiaacmgr Notepad – notepad ODBC Data Source Administrator – odbcad32 ODBC Driver Configuration – odbcconf On-Screen Keyboard – osk Paint – mspaint Pen and Touch – tabletpc.cpl People Near Me – collab.cpl Performance Monitor – perfmon.msc Performance Options – systempropertiesperformance Phone and Modem – telephon.cpl Phone Dialer – dialer Power Options – powercfg.cpl Presentation Settings – presentationsettings Print Management – printmanagement.msc Printer Migration – printbrmui Printer User Interface – printui Private Character Editor – eudcedit Problem Steps Recorder – psr Programs and Features – appwiz.cpl Protected Content Migration – dpapimig Region and Language – intl.cpl Registry Editor – regedit Registry Editor 32 – regedt32 Remote Access Phonebook – rasphone Remote Desktop Connection – mstsc Resource Monitor – resmon Resultant Set of Policy – rsop.msc SAM Lock Tool – syskey Screen Resolution – desk.cpl Securing the Windows Account Database – syskey Services – services.msc Set Program Access and Computer Defaults – computerdefaults Share Creation Wizard – shrpubw Shared Folders – fsmgmt.msc Snipping Tool – snippingtool Sound – mmsys.cpl Sound recorder – soundrecorder SQL Server Client Network Utility – cliconfg Sticky Notes – stikynot Stored User Names and Passwords – credwiz Sync Center – mobsync System Configuration – msconfig System Configuration Editor – sysedit System Information – msinfo32 System Properties – sysdm.cpl System Properties (Advanced Tab) – systempropertiesadvanced System Properties (Computer Name Tab) – systempropertiescomputername System Properties (Hardware Tab) – systempropertieshardware System Properties (Remote Tab) – systempropertiesremote System Properties (System Protection Tab) – systempropertiesprotection System Restore – rstrui Task Manager – taskmgr Task Scheduler – taskschd.msc Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management – tpm.msc User Account Control Settings – useraccountcontrolsettings Utility Manager – utilman Version Reporter Applet – winver Volume Mixer – sndvol Windows Action Center – wscui.cpl Windows Activation Client – slui Windows Anytime Upgrade Results – windowsanytimeupgraderesults Windows CardSpace – infocardcpl.cpl Windows Disc Image Burning Tool – isoburn Windows DVD Maker – dvdmaker Windows Easy Transfer – migwiz Windows Explorer – explorer Windows Fax and Scan – wfs Windows Features – optionalfeatures Windows Firewall – firewall.cpl Windows Firewall with Advanced Security – wf.msc Windows Journal – journal Windows Media Player – wmplayer Windows Memory Diagnostic Scheduler – mdsched Windows Mobility Center – mblctr Windows Picture Acquisition Wizard – wiaacmgr Windows PowerShell – powershell Windows PowerShell ISE – powershell_ise Windows Remote Assistance – msra Windows Repair Disc – recdisc Windows Script Host – wscript Windows Update – wuapp Windows Update Standalone Installer – wusa Versione Windows – winver WMI Management – wmimgmt.msc WordPad – write XPS Viewer – xpsrchvw
Hey Ravi…I’ve made a post with your list here: http://shortcutkeys.net/run-windows-programs-components-short-names/ Thanks for your suggestion!
Very important for us
How do I change (toggle) highlighted text from lowercase to upper, and back? I think shortcut combination involves use of F3 key.
@Gene – depends on the program. if you’re referring to MS Word then the combination is indeed Shift + F3
Thanks, Dude, It is Microsoft Office Word 2007. Shift + F3 doesn’t work, I think there is a third key in the combination. I tried the flag, and that isn’t it.
You should check, maybe it has been changed. Here is a short walkthrough to check that: Display the Word Options dialog box. (In Word 2007 click the Office button and then click Word Options. In Word 2010 or Word 2013 click the File tab of the ribbon and then click Options.) At the left side of the dialog box click Customize (Word 2007) or Customize Ribbon (Word 2010 and Word 2013). Near the bottom of the dialog box click the Customize button. Word displays the Customize Keyboard dialog box. In the Categories list, choose All Commands. In the Commands list, choose the ChangeCase command. You should see, in the dialog box, the shortcut keys that have been assigned to the command. If Shift+F3 is not listed in the Current Keys box, click once in the Press New Shortcut Key box and press Shift+F3.
