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. Windows XPĬycle through open programs on the Taskbar. Open Utility Manager or the Ease of Access Center. Undo the minimize done by Windows key+ M and Windows key+ D. Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only). Open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.ĭisplay the Windows Search or Find feature. In Windows 8, this opens or hides the Start screen. Pressing the Windows key alone opens or hides the Windows Start menu. 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.
Simulates a right-click of a selected item, which is useful if right-click is difficult or impossible using the mouse.īelow 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.F10Īctivates the file menu bar in all versions of Windows. Pressing F8 over and over as the computer is booting starts the computer in Safe Mode. While in Windows Explorer, F6 moves the cursor to different Windows Explorer pane or in Windows 7 browse available drives. Only works in programs that support multiple windows or tabs in the same program window. Pressing Ctrl+ F4 closes the open window in the current active window in Microsoft Windows.Pressing Alt+ F4 closes the current open program window without a prompt in all versions of Windows.In Windows 95 and later, F4 opens the drive selection or address bar when browsing files in Windows Explorer. Starts find or search when at the Windows desktop in all versions of Windows. Renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows. If you're at the Windows desktop, this activates the help for Windows. See our what are F1 through F12 keys page for a full listing of what function keys do with all other programs.Īctivates help for current open application. Windows function key shortcutsīelow is a listing of keyboard shortcuts that use the keyboard function keys. When putting in an audio or data CD (compact disc) that uses Autoplay, pressing Shift prevents that CD from playing.
Permanently delete any file or another object without throwing it into the Recycle Bin in Windows 95 and later. Opens properties window of selected icon or program in Windows 95 and later. Alt+ Spacebarĭrops down the window control menu for the currently open Windows program in Windows 95 and later. Switch between open applications on Taskbar in Windows 95 and later. In Windows 8, this opens the Start screen and in Windows 3.x, this opens the Task Manager. Open the Windows Start menu in most versions of Windows. Immediately bring up the Windows Task Manager in Windows 2000 and later. Pressing Ctrl+ Alt+ Del multiple times reboots the computer. Open the Windows option screen for locking computer, switching user, Task Manager, etc. If the Print Screen key is pressed alone, the whole screen will be made into a screenshot. For example, if you opened the calculator and pressed these shortcut keys, only the calculator window would be created as a screenshot. Alt+ Print ScreenĬreate a screenshot only for the active program window in all versions of Windows. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties. In Windows 95 or later, display the properties of the object you double-click. Reverse the direction by pressing Ctrl+ Shift+ Tab at the same time. Switches between program groups, tabs, or document windows in applications that support this feature. Reverse the direction by pressing Alt+ Shift+ Tab at the same time. Switch between open applications in all versions of Windows. General Windows keyboard shortcuts Alt+ Tab How to navigate Windows using a keyboard.