Keyboard Shortcut Keys Windows 7, Vista and Internet Explorer

If you spend as much time in front of a computer as I do, learning a shortcut that can shave a few seconds off a common task can be significant. Throw in the fact that I’m also a bit lazy… and it should explain why I’m always looking around for new Keyboard Shortcuts. The majority of Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts remain the same from Windows Vista and XP (thank you for that Microsoft), so many of the shortcuts I’ve compiled in this groovyPost should look familiar. If you have a favorite I’ve missed or you find a new one, however, please be sure to tell me about it in the comments so I can add it to the list!

9/22/2012 Editor Update — I just published a list of Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 8 and Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts. Take a look at the latest shortcut goodness!

My personal favorite BTW – is the pressing F6 while using Internet Explorer. F6 automatically selects your Address Bar for you. It saves me a lot of time!

Windows 7 and Windows Vista Keyboard Shortcuts

• Windows logo key :: Open or close the Start menu
• Windows logo key + Left Arrow Key :: Snap current window to left side of screen for side-by-side viewing
• Windows logo key + Right Arrow Key :: Snap current window to left side of screen for side-by-side viewing
• Windows logo key + Left Arrow 2x :: Snap current window left across multiple monitors for side-by-side viewing
• Windows logo key + PAUSE :: Display the System Properties dialog box
• Windows logo key + D :: Display the desktop
• Windows logo key + M :: Minimize all windows
• Windows logo key + SHIFT+M :: Restore minimized windows to the desktop
• Windows logo key + E :: Open Computer
• Windows logo key + F :: Search for a file or folder
• CTRL+Windows logo key + F :: Search for computers (if you are on a network)
• Windows logo key + L :: Lock your computer or switch users
• Windows logo key + R :: Open the Run dialog box
• Windows logo key + T :: Cycle through programs on the taskbar
• Windows logo key + TAB :: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
• CTRL+Windows logo key + TAB :: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
• Windows logo key + SPACEBAR :: Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
• Windows logo key + G :: Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
• Windows logo key + U :: Open Ease of Access Center
• Windows logo key + X :: Open Windows Mobility Center
• Windows logo key with any number key :: Open the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the position that corresponds to the number. For example, Windows logo key + 1 :: Launch the first shortcut in the Quick Launch menu.
• Windows Key + S :: OneNote Screen Clipping Tool (Requires OneNote)
• Windows Key + = :: Open Magnifier Tool

General Keyboard Shortcuts

• F1 :: Display Help
• F2 :: Rename the selected item
• F3 :: Search for a file or folder
• F4 :: Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer
• F5 – Refresh the active window
• F6 :: Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
• F7 :: Check Spelling in open document
• F10 :: Activate the menu bar in the active program
• CTRL+A :: Select all items in a document or window
• CTRL+C :: Copy the selected item
• CTRL+X :: Cut the selected item
• CTRL+V :: Paste the selected item
• CTRL+Z :: Undo an action
• CTRL+Y :: Redo an action
• SHIFT+DELETE :: Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first (Outlook Tip also)
• SHIFT+F10 :: Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
• SHIFT when you insert a CD :: Prevent the CD from automatically playing
• CTRL+ESC :: Open the Start menu
• CTRL+SHIFT with an arrow key :: Select a block of text
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC :: Open Task Manager
• CTRL+F4 :: Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• CTRL+ALT+TAB :: Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
• CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel :: Change the size of icons on the desktop
• ALT+ESC :: Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
• ALT+ENTER :: Display properties for the selected item
• ALT+F4 :: Close the active item, or exit the active program
• ALT+SPACEBAR :: Open the shortcut menu for the active window
• ALT+UP ARROW :: View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
• ALT+TAB :: Switch between open items
• ALT+SHIFT+TAB :: Switch between open items in reverse order
• Windows logo key + TAB :: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
• CTRL+Windows logo key + TAB :: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
• ESC :: Cancel the current task

Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts

• CTRL+click :: Open links in a new tab in the background
• CTRL+SHIFT+click :: Open links in a new tab in the foreground
• CTRL+T :: Open a new tab in the foreground
• CTRL+TAB or CTRL+SHIFT+TAB :: Switch between tabs
• CTRL+W :: Close current tab (or the current window if tabbed browsing is disabled)
• ALT+ENTER :: Open a new tab in the foreground from the Address bar
• CTRL+n (where n is a number between 1 and 8) :: Switch to a specific tab number
• CTRL+9 :: Switch to the last tab
• CTRL+ALT+F4 :: Close other tabs
• CTRL+Q :: Toggle Quick Tabs (thumbnail view) on or off
• ALT+M :: Open the Home menu
• ALT+R :: Open the Print menu
• ALT+J :: Open the RSS menu
• ALT+O :: Open the Tools menu
• ALT+L :: Open the Help menu
• F1 :: Display Help
• F11 :: Toggle between full-screen and regular views of the browser window
• TAB :: Move forward through the items on a webpage, the Address bar, or the Links bar
• SHIFT+TAB :: Move back through the items on a webpage, the Address bar, or the Links bar
• ALT+HOME :: Go to your home page
• ALT+RIGHT ARROW :: Go to the next page
• ALT+LEFT ARROW or BACKSPACE :: Go to the previous page
• SHIFT+F10 :: Display a shortcut menu for a link
• CTRL+TAB or F6 :: Move forward through frames and browser elements (only works if tabbed browsing is disabled)
• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB :: Move backward between frames (only works if tabbed browsing is disabled)
• CTRL+F :: Find on this page
• F5 :: Refresh the current web page
• CTRL+F5 :: Refresh the current web page, even if the time stamp for the web version and your locally stored version are the same
• ESC :: Stop downloading a page
• CTRL+O :: Open a new website or page
• CTRL+N :: Open a new window
• CTRL+W :: Close the current window (if you only have one tab open)
• CTRL+S :: Save the current page
• CTRL+P :: Print the current page or active frame
• CTRL+I :: Open Favorites
• CTRL+H :: Open History
• CTRL+J :: Open Feeds
• ALT+P :: Open the Page menu
• ALT+T :: Open the Tools menu
• ALT+H :: Open the Help menu

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 :: Display Help
• 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 Sidebar keyboard shortcuts

• Windows logo key Picture of Windows logo key + SPACEBAR :: Bring all gadgets to the front and select Sidebar
• Windows logo key Picture of Windows logo key +G :: Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
• TAB :: Cycle through Sidebar controls

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• END :: Display the bottom of the active window
• HOME :: Display the top of the active window
• F11 :: Maximize or minimize the active window
• CTRL+N :: Open a new window
• CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel :: Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
• NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) on numeric keypad :: Display all subfolders under the selected folder
• NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN (+) on numeric keypad :: Display the contents of the selected folder
• NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad :: Collapse the selected folder
• LEFT ARROW :: Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folder
• ALT+D :: Select the Address bar
• ALT+LEFT ARROW :: View the previous folder
• ALT+RIGHT ARROW :: View the next folder
• RIGHT ARROW :: Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder

More Keyboard Shortcuts we love!

• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (or PRTSCRN) :: Turn High Contrast on or off
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK :: Turn Mouse Keys on or off
• SHIFT five times :: Turn Sticky Keys on or off
• NUM LOCK for five seconds :: Turn Toggle Keys on or off
• Windows logo key +U :: Open the Ease of Access Center
• SHIFT with any arrow key :: Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
• CTRL with any arrow key+SPACEBAR :: Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
• CTRL+UP ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Time to save this groovyPost! …… Live Writer needed for that one 😉

List of all Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts: The ultimate guide

Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

On Windows 10, keyboard shortcuts provide a quick way to navigate and operate the experience and features using a single press of one or multiple keys, which otherwise will take several clicks and more time to accomplish using the mouse.

Although it can be overwhelming trying to memorize all the available keyboard shortcuts, it’s important to consider that most people don’t need to learn every shortcut on Windows 10. Only focusing on those you need to use more frequently can noticeably make things easier and help you to work more efficiently.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll show you all the most useful keyboard shortcuts to navigate and operate the desktop and apps. Also, we’ll outline the shortcuts that are essential for all users.

Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts

This comprehensive list includes the most useful keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks on Windows 10 a little faster.

Essential shortcuts

These are the essential keyboard shortcuts that every Windows 10 user should know.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Ctrl + A	Select all content.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)	Copy selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)	Paste content from clipboard.
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action, including undelete files (limited).
Ctrl + Y	Redo an action.
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
Alt + F4	Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.)
Ctrl + D (Del)	Delete selected item to the Recycle Bin.
Shift + Delete	Delete selected item permanently skipping Recycle Bin.
F2	Rename selected item.
ESC	Close current task.
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps.
PrtScn	Take screenshot and stores it in clipboard.
Windows key + I	Open Settings app.
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer.
Windows key + A	Open Action center.
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop.
Windows key + L	Lock device.
Windows key + V	Open Clipboard bin.
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)	Open emoji panel.
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture full screenshot in the «Screenshots» folder.
Windows key + Shift + S	Capture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch.
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app or window right.

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Desktop shortcuts

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close, navigate, and complete specific tasks more quickly throughout the desktop experience, including on Start menu, taskbar, Settings, and more.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key (or Ctrl + Esc)	Open Start menu.
Ctrl + Arrow keys	Change Start menu size.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open Task Manager.
Ctrl + Shift	Switch keyboard layout.
Alt + F4	Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.)
Ctrl + F5 (or Ctrl + R)	Refresh current window.
Ctrl + Alt + Tab	View open apps.
Ctrl + Arrow keys (to select) + Spacebar	Select multiple items on desktop or File Explorer.
Alt + Underlined letter	Runs command for the underlined letter in apps.
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps while pressing Tab multiple times.
Alt + Left arrow key	Go back.
Alt + Right arrow key	Go forward.
Alt + Page Up	Move up one screen.
Alt + Page down	Move down one screen.
Alt + Esc	Cycle through open windows.
Alt + Spacebar	Open context menu for the active window.
Alt + F8	Reveals typed password in Sign-in screen.
Shift + Click app button	Open another instance of an app from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Shift + Click app button	Run app as administrator from the taskbar.
Shift + Right-click app button	Show window menu for the app from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Click a grouped app button	Cycle through windows in the group from the taskbar.
Shift + Right-click grouped app button	Show window menu for the group from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Left arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
Ctrl + Right arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
Ctrl + Up arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Down arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow key	Select block of text.
Ctrl + Spacebar	Enable or disable Chinese IME.
Shift + F10	Open context menu for selected item.
F10	Enable app menu bar.
Shift + Arrow keys	Select multiple items.
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu.
Windows key + Number (0-9)	Open app in number position from the taskbar.
Windows key + T	Cycle through apps in the taskbar.
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9)	Open Jump List of the app in number position from the taskbar.
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop.
Windows key + M	Minimize all windows.
Windows key + Shift + M	Restore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows key + Home	Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key	Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key	Maximize or minimize active desktop windows vertically while maintaining width.
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the left.
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the right.
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app or window right.
Windows key + S ( or Q)	Open Search.
Windows key + Alt + D	Open date and time in the taskbar.
Windows key + Tab	Open Task View.
Windows key + Ctrl + D	Create new virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4	Close active virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the right.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the left.
Windows key + P	Open Project settings.
Windows key + A	Open Action center.
Windows key + I	Open Settings app.
Backspace	Return to Settings app home page.

File Explorer shortcuts

On Windows 10, File Explorer includes many keyboard shortcuts to help you complete tasks a little quicker.

Here’s a list with the most useful shortcuts for File Explorer.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer.
Alt + D	Select address bar.
Ctrl + E (or F)	Select search box.
Ctrl + N	Open new window.
Ctrl + W	Close active window.
Ctrl + F (or F3)	Start search.
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel	Change view file and folder.
Ctrl + Shift + E	Expands all folders from the tree in the navigation pane.
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
Ctrl + L	Focus on the address bar.
Ctrl + Shift + Number (1-8)	Changes folder view.
Alt + P	Display preview panel.
Alt + Enter	Open Properties settings for the selected item.
Alt + Right arrow key	View next folder.
Alt + Left arrow key (or Backspace)	View previous folder.
Alt + Up arrow	Move up a level in the folder path.
F11	Switch active window full-screen mode.
F5	Refresh the instance of File Explorer.
F2	Rename selected item.
F4	Switch focus to address bar.
F5	Refresh File Explorer’s current view.
F6	Cycle through elements on the screen.
Home	Scroll to top of the window.
End	Scroll to bottom of window.

Command Prompt shortcuts

If you use Command Prompt, you can use these keyboard shortcuts to work a little more efficiently.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Ctrl + A	Select all content of the current line.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)	Copy selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)	Paste content from clipboard.
Ctrl + M	Starts mark mode.
Ctrl + Up arrow key	Move screen up one line.
Ctrl + Down arrow key	Move screen down one line.
Ctrl + F	Open search for Command Prompt.
Left or right arrow keys	Move cursor left or right in the current line.
Up or down arrow keys	Cycle through command history of the current session.
Page up	Move cursor one page up.
Page down	Move cursor one page down.
Ctrl + Home	Scroll to top of the console.
Ctrl + End	Scroll to the bottom of the console.

Windows key shortcuts

Using the Windows key combined with other keys, you can perform many useful tasks, such as launch Settings, File Explorer, Run command, apps pinned in the taskbar, or you can open specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. You can also accomplish tasks like controlling windows, virtual desktops, taking screenshots, locking your device, and a lot more.

Here’s a list with all the most common keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key	Open Start menu.
Windows key + A	Open Action center.
Windows key + S ( or Q)	Open Search.
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop.
Windows key + L	Locks computer.
Windows key + M	Minimize all windows.
Windows key + B	Set focus notification area in the taskbar.
Windows key + C	Launch Cortana app.
Windows key + F	Launch Feedback Hub app.
Windows key + G	Launch Game bar app.
Windows key + Y	Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality.
Windows key + O	Lock device orientation.
Windows key + T	Cycle through apps in the taskbar.
Windows key + Z	Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality.
Windows key + J	Set focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.k
Windows key + H	Open dictation feature.
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer.
Windows key + I	Open Settings.
Windows key + R	Open Run command.
Windows key + K	Open Connect settings.
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu.
Windows key + V	Open Clipboard bin.
Windows key + W	Open the Windows Ink Workspace.
Windows key + U	Open Ease of Access settings.
Windows key + P	Open Project settings.
Windows key + Ctrl + Enter	Open Narrator.
Windows key + Plus (+)	Zoom in using the magnifier.
Windows key + Minus (-)	Zoom out using the magnifier.
Windows key + Esc	Exit magnifier.
Windows key + Forward-slash (/)	Start IME reconversion.
Windows key + Comma (,)	Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows key + Up arrow key	Maximize app windows.
Windows key + Down arrow key	Minimize app windows.
Windows key + Home	Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
Windows key + Shift + M	Restore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key	Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key	Maximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width.
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the left.
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the right.
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app or window right.
Windows key + Number (0-9)	Open app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Shift + Number (0-9)	Open another instance of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Number (0-9)	Switch to last active window of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9)	Open Jump List of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + Number (0-9)	Open another instance as an administrator of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar	Change previous selected input option.
Windows key + Spacebar	Change keyboard layout and input language.
Windows key + Tab	Open Task View.
Windows key + Ctrl + D	Create a virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4	Close active virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the right.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the left.
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B	Wake up the device when black or a blank screen.
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture full screenshot in the «Screenshots» folder.
Windows key + Shift + S	Create part of the screen screenshot.
Windows key + Shift + V	Cycle through notifications..
Windows key + Ctrl + F	Open search for device on domain network.
Windows key + Ctrl + Q	Open Quick Assist.
Windows key + Alt + D	Open date and time in the taskbar.
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)	Open emoji panel.
Windows key + Pause	Show System Properties dialog box.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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