Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major Windows shortcut keys for all versions of Microsoft Windows. If your looking for shortcut keys for Windows programs see our other computer keyboard shortcuts.

Tou Can See The ShortCut Key Fo Listing Bellow

General Windows keyboard shortcuts 

Windows keyboard key shortcuts 

Windows function key shortcuts 

All versions of Windows 

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 

Display the properties of the object you double-click on in Windows 95 and later. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties. 

Alt + Print Screen 

Create a screen shot only for the active program window in all versions of Windows. For example, if you opened the calculator and did this only the calculator window would be created as a screen shot. If just the Print Screen key is pressed the whole screen will be made into a screen shot. 

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 will reboot 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 will open the Start screen and in Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager. 

Alt + Esc 

Switch between open applications on Taskbar in Windows 95 and later. 

Alt + Space bar 

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. 

Alt + Space bar 

Open the control menu for the current window open in all versions of Windows. 

Shift + Del 

Will delete any file or other object without throwing it into the Recycle Bin in Windows 95 and later. 

Hold down the Shift key 

When putting in an audio CD or other CD that uses Autoplay, holding down the Shift key will prevent 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.

F1 

Activates help for current open application. If you're at the Windows Desktop, this will activate the help for Windows. 

F2 

Renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows. 

F3 

Starts find or search when at the Windows Desktop in all versions of Windows. 

F4 

In Windows 95 and later this 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 within the current active window in Microsoft Windows. This will only work in programs that support multiple windows or tabs in the same program window. 

F6 

While in Windows Explorer, this will move the cursor to different Windows Explorer pane or in Windows 7 browse available drives. 

F8 

Pressing F8 over and over as the computer is booting will start the computer in Safe Mode. 

F10 

Activates the File menu bar in all versions of Windows. 

· Simulates a right-click on selected item. This 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 a 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 "WINKEY" and because not all these shortcuts will work in all versions of Windows we've mentioned what versions of Windows support each Windows key shortcut key.

All versions of Windows 

WINKEY 

Pressing the Windows key alone will open or hide the Windows Start menu. In Windows 8, this will open or hide theStart screen. 

WINKEY + F1 

Open the Microsoft Windows help and support center. 

WINKEY + Pause / Break key 

Open the System Properties window. 

WINKEY + D 

Opens the Desktop to the top of all other windows. 

WINKEY + E 

Open Microsoft Windows Explorer. 

WINKEY + F 

Display the Windows Search or Find feature. 

WINKEY + Ctrl + F 

Display the search for computers window. 

WINKEY + L 

Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only). 

WINKEY + M 

Minimizes all windows. 

Note : *WINDEY = Windows Key