Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcut Keys
Keyboard shortcuts are important to computer users. They are also called accelerator keys or hot keys. They are a combination of two or more keys that will perform an operation when pressed. They are very useful because it can help you finish your tasks easily in a shorter time and increase your productivity. Using keyboard shortcuts makes it easy for you to interact with your computer minimizing the use of the mouse. Windows Vista and Windows XP have almost the same keyboard shortcuts. Windows 7 has many new keyboard shortcuts to offer.
Here are the lists of the old and new Windows keyboard shortcuts as published by Microsoft:
|
WINDOWS LOGO KEY KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| Win logo key | open or close the Start menu |
| Win logo key + PAUSE | display the System Properties dialog box |
| Win logo key + D | display the desktop |
| Win logo key + M | minimize all windows |
| Win logo key + SHIFT + M | restore minimized windows to the desktop |
| Win logo key + E | open Computer |
| Win logo key + F | search for a file or folder |
| CTRL + Win logo key + F | search for computers (if you are on a network) |
| Win logo key + L | lock your computer or switch users |
| Win logo key + R | open the Run dialog box |
| Win logo key + T | cycle through programs on the taskbar |
| Win 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 |
| SHIFT + Win logo key + Number | start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| CTRL + Win logo key + Number | switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| ALT + Win logo key + Number | open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| Win logo key + TAB | cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
| CTRL + Win logo key + TAB | use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
| CTRL + Win logo key + B | switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area |
| Win logo key + SPACEBAR | bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar |
| Win logo key + UP ARROW | maximize the window |
| Win logo key + LEFT ARROW | maximize the window to the left of the screen |
| Win logo key + RIGHT ARROW | maximize the window to the right of the screen |
| Win logo key + DOWN ARROW | minimize the window |
| Win logo key + P | choose a presentation display mode |
| Win logo key + G | cycle through Sidebar gadgets |
| Win logo key + U | open Ease of Access Center |
| Win logo key + X | open Windows Mobility Center |
|
WINDOWS LOGO KEY KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| Win logo key | open or close the Start menu |
| Win logo key + PAUSE | display the System Properties dialog box |
| Win logo key + D | display the desktop |
| Win logo key + M | minimize all windows |
| Win logo key + SHIFT + M | restore minimized windows to the desktop |
| Win logo key + E | open Computer |
| Win logo key + F | search for a file or folder |
| CTRL + Win logo key + F | search for computers (if you are on a network) |
| Win logo key + L | lock your computer or switch users |
| Win logo key + R | open the Run dialog box |
| Win logo key + T | cycle through programs on the taskbar |
| Win 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 |
| SHIFT + Win logo key + Number | start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| CTRL + Win logo key + Number | switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| ALT + Win logo key + Number | open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| Win logo key + TAB | cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
| CTRL + Win logo key + TAB | use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
| CTRL + Win logo key + B | switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area |
| Win logo key + SPACEBAR | bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar |
| Win logo key + UP ARROW | maximize the window |
| Win logo key + LEFT ARROW | maximize the window to the left of the screen |
| Win logo key + RIGHT ARROW | maximize the window to the right of the screen |
| Win logo key + DOWN ARROW | minimize the window |
| Win logo key + P | choose a presentation display mode |
| Win logo key + G | cycle through Sidebar gadgets |
| Win logo key + U | open Ease of Access Center |
| Win logo key + X | open Windows Mobility Center |
|
EASE OF ACCESS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| Right SHIFT for eight seconds | turn Filter Keys on and off |
| Left ALT + left SHIFT + 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 |
| Win logo key + U | open the Ease of Access Center |
|
GENERAL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| F1 | display Help |
| 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 |
| DELETE or CTRL + D | delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin |
| SHIFT + DELETE | delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first |
| F2 | rename the selected item |
| 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 |
| CTRL + SHIFT with an arrow key | select a block of text |
| 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 + A | select all items in a document or window |
| F3 | search for a file or folder |
| 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 |
| CTRL + F4 | close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously) |
| ALT + TAB | switch between open items |
| CTRL + ALT + TAB | use the arrow keys to switch between open items |
| CTRL + Mouse scroll wheel | change the size of icons on the desktop |
| Win logo key + TAB | Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
| CTRL + Win logo key + TAB | use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D |
| ALT + ESC | cycle through items in the order in which they were opened |
| F6 | cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop |
| F4 | display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer |
| SHIFT + F10 | display the shortcut menu for the selected item |
| CTRL + ESC | open the Start menu |
| ALT + underlined letter | display the corresponding menu |
| ALT + underlined letter | perform the menu command (or other underlined command) |
| F10 | open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu |
| RIGHT ARROW | rename the selected item |
| LEFT ARROW | open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu |
| F5 or CTRL + R | refresh the active window |
| ALT + UP ARROW | view the folder one level up in Windows Explorer |
| ESC | cancel the current task |
| CTRL + SHIFT + ESC | open Task Manager |
| SHIFT when you insert a CD | prevent the CD from automatically playing |
| Left ALT + SHIFT | switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled |
| Right or Left CTRL + SHIFT | change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages |
|
DIALOG BOX KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| 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 EXPLORER KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| CTRL + N | open a new window |
| CTRL + W | close the current window |
| CTRL + SHIFT + N | create a new folder |
| END | display the bottom of the active window |
| HOME | display the top of the active window |
| F11 | maximize or minimize the active window |
| CTRL + Period (.) | rotate a picture clockwise |
| CTRL + Comma (,) | rotate a picture counter-clockwise |
| 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 + ENTER | open the properties dialog box for the selected item |
| ALT + P | display the preview pane |
| ALT + LEFT ARROW | view the previous folder |
| BACKSPACE | view the previous folder |
| RIGHT ARROW | display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder |
| ALT + RIGHT ARROW | view the next folder |
| ALT + UP ARROW | view the parent folder |
| CTRL + SHIFT + E | display all folders above the selected folder |
| CTRL + Mouse scroll wheel | change the size and appearance of file and folder icons |
| ALT + D | select the Address bar |
| CTRL + E | select the search box |
| CTRL + F | select the search box |
|
TASKBAR KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| SHIFT + Click on a taskbar button | open a program or quickly open another instance of a program |
| CTRL + SHIFT + Click on a taskbar button | open a program as an administrator |
| SHIFT + Right-click on a taskbar button | show the window menu for the program |
| SHIFT + Right-click on a grouped taskbar button | show the window menu for the group |
| CTRL + Click on a grouped taskbar button | cycle through the windows of the group |
|
MAGNIFIER KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| Win logo key + Plus Sign (+) or Minus Sign (-) | zoom in or out |
| CTRL + ALT + SPACEBAR | preview the desktop in full-screen mode |
| CTRL + ALT + F | switch to full-screen mode |
| CTRL + ALT + L | switch to lens mode |
| CTRL + ALT + D | switch to docked mode |
| CTRL+ ALT +I | invert colors |
| CTRL + ALT+ Arrow keys | pan in the direction of the arrow keys |
| CTRL + ALT + R | resize the lens |
| Win logo key + ESC | exit Magnifier |
|
REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTION KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS |
|
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Function |
| ALT + Page Up | move between programs from left to right |
| ALT + Page Down | move between programs from right to left |
| ALT + INSERT | cycle through programs in the order that they were started in |
| ALT + HOME | display the Start menu |
| CTRL + ALT + Break | switch between a window and full screen |
| CTRL + ALT + End | display the Windows Security dialog box |
| ALT + Delete | display the system menu |
| CTRL + ALT + Minus Sign (-) on the numeric keypad | place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing ALT + PrtScn on a local computer) |
| CTRL + ALT + Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad | place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing PrtScn on a local computer) |
| CTRL + ALT + Right Arrow | “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program |
| CTRL + ALT + Left Arrow | “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program |