Best Keyboard Shortcuts

Getting used to using your keyboard exclusively and leaving your mouse behind will make you much more efficient at performing any task on any Windows system. I use the following keyboard shortcuts every day:

Windows key + R = Run menu



This is usually followed by:
cmd = Command Prompt
iexplore + "web address" = Internet Explorer
compmgmt.msc = Computer Management
dhcpmgmt.msc = DHCP Management
dnsmgmt.msc = DNS Management
services.msc = Services
eventvwr = Event Viewer
dsa.msc = Active Directory Users and Computers
dssite.msc = Active Directory Sites and Services
Windows key + E = Explorer

ALT + Tab = Switch between windows

ALT, Space, X = Maximize window

CTRL + Shift + Esc = Task Manager

Windows key + Break = System properties

Windows key + F = Search

Windows key + D = Hide/Display all windows

CTRL + C = copy

CTRL + X = cut

CTRL + V = paste

Also don't forget about the "Right-click" key next to the right Windows key on your keyboard. Using the arrows and that key can get just about anything done once you've opened up any program.


Keyboard Shortcuts

[Alt] and [Esc] Switch between running applications

[Alt] and letter Select menu item by underlined letter

[Ctrl] and [Esc] Open Program Menu

[Ctrl] and [F4] Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)

[Alt] and [F4] Quit active application or close current window

[Alt] and [-] Open Control menu for active document

Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow Move cursor forward or back one word

Ctrl] Up, Down arrow Move cursor forward or back one paragraph

[F1] Open Help for active application

Windows+M Minimize all open windows

Shift+Windows+M Undo minimize all open windows

Windows+F1 Open Windows Help

Windows+Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons

Windows+Break Open the System Properties dialog box



Acessability shortcuts

Right SHIFT for eight seconds........ Switch FilterKeys on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN....... Switch High Contrast on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK....... Switch MouseKeys on and off.

SHIFT....... five times Switch StickyKeys on and off.

NUM LOCK...... for five seconds Switch ToggleKeys on and off.



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Explorer shortcuts

END....... Display the bottom of the active window.

HOME....... Display the top of the active window.

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 current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder.

RIGHT ARROW....... Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder.




Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run

devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
msinfo32 = System Information
cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
mmc = Microsoft Management Console
excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
notepad = Notepad
wordpad = WordPad
calc = Calculator
msmsgs = Windows Messenger
mspaint = Microsoft Paint
wmplayer = Windows Media Player
rstrui = System Restore
netscp6 = Netscape 6.x
netscp = Netscape 7.x
netscape = Netscape 4.x
waol = America Online
control = Opens the Control Panel
control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog


Internet Browser

type in u're adress "google", then press [Right CTRL] and [Enter]
add www. and .com to word and go to it


For Windows XP:

Copy. CTRL+C
Cut. CTRL+X
Paste. CTRL+V
Undo. CTRL+Z
Delete. DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin. SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item. F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all. CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder. F3
View properties for the selected item. ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program. ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously. CTRL+F4
Switch between open items. ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened. ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu. CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu. ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command. Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program. F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu. RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu. LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task. ESC
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.

Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:

To Press
Move forward through tabs. CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options. TAB
Move backward through options. SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button. ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box. SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display Help. F1
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE

If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:


Display or hide the Start menu. WIN Key
Display the System Properties dialog box. WIN Key+BREAK
Show the desktop. WIN Key+D
Minimize all windows. WIN Key+M
Restores minimized windows. WIN Key+Shift+M
Open My Computer. WIN Key+E
Search for a file or folder. WIN Key+F
Search for computers. CTRL+WIN Key+F
Display Windows Help. WIN Key+F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. WIN Key+ L
Open the Run dialog box. WIN Key+R
Open Utility Manager. WIN Key+U

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts:

Switch FilterKeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager. WIN Key+U

shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer:


Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW



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Windows Dialog Box Shortcut Key Commands

Shortcut Keys	Functions
F1	Display Help
F4	Display the items in the active list
CTRL + TAB	Move forward through tabs
CTRL + SHIFT + TAB	Move back through tabs
CTRL + (NUMBER 1-9)	Move to nth tab
TAB	Move forward through options
SHIFT + TAB	Move back through options
ALT + Underlined Letter in menus and dialog box options	Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
SPACEBAR	Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
BACKSPACE	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
ARROW keys	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

Windows Run Dialog Box Key Commands

Shortcut Keys	Functions
hdwwiz.cpl	Add Hardware Wizard
appwiz.cpl	Add/Remove Programs
control admintools	Administrative Tools
wuaucpl.cpl	Automatic Updates
fsquirt	Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
calc	Calculator
certmgr.msc	Certificate Manager
charmap	Character Map
chkdsk	Check Disk Utility
clipbrd	Clipboard Viewer
cmd	Command Prompt
compmgmt.msc	Computer Management
timedate.cpl	Date and Time Properties
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager
directx.cpl	Direct X Control Panel
dxdiag	Direct X Troubleshooter
cleanmgr	Disk Cleanup Utility
dfrg.msc	Disk Defragment
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Management
diskpart	Disk Partition Manager
desk.cpl	Display Properties
drwtsn32	Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
verifier	Driver Verifier Utility
eventvwr.msc	Event Viewer
findfast.cpl	Findfast
freecell	Free Cell Card Game
mshearts	Hearts Card Game
iexpress	Iexpress Wizard
inetcpl.cpl	Internet Properties
ipconfig /all	IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)
ipconfig /displaydns	IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns	IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /release	IP Configuration (Release All Connections)
ipconfig /renew	IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /registerdns	IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /showclassid	IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
javaws	Java Control Panel (If Installed)
secpol.msc	Local Security Settings
lusrmgr.msc	Local Users and Groups
logoff	Logs You Out Of Windows
winmine	Minesweeper Game
main.cpl	Mouse Properties
ncpa.cpl	Network Connections
netsetup.cpl	Network Setup Wizard
notepad	Notepad
odbccp32.cpl	ODBC Data Source Administrator
osk	On Screen Keyboard
password.cpl	Password Properties
perfmon.msc	Performance Monitor
powercfg.cpl	Power Configuration
QuickTime.cpl	Quicktime (If Installed)
regedit	Registry Editor
regedit32	Registry Editor
mstsc	Remote Desktop
ntmsmgr.msc	Removable Storage
sticpl.cpl	Scanners and Cameras
services.msc	Services
fsmgmt.msc	Shared Folders
shutdown	Shuts Down Windows
mmsys.cpl	Sounds and Audio
spider	Spider Solitare Card Game
sysedit	System Configuration Editor
msconfig	System Configuration Utility
sfc /scannow	System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scanonce	System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanboot	System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /revert	System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /purgecache	System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /cachesize=x	System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)
sysdm.cpl	System Properties
taskmgr	Task Manager
telnet	Telnet Client
nusrmgr.cpl	User Account Management
utilman	Utility Manager
firewall.cpl	Windows Firewall
magnify	Windows Magnifier
wmimgmt.msc	Windows Management Infrastructure
syskey	Windows System Security Tool
wupdmgr	Windows Update Launches
tourstart	Windows XP Tour Wizard

Win 10 CMD Shortcut Key Commands List

Launching and Managing CMD

Shortcut Keys	Functions
Win + R, then type 'cmd'	Run Windows CMD
Win + X, then C	Start CMD via Power User Commands
Win + X, then A	Start CMD as Administrator via Power User Commands
type 'exit'	Exit CMD
Alt + Enter	Switch to full-screen mode. Press again to exit full-screen mode

Select Text (Expanded with Windows 10)

Shortcut Keys	Functions
Ctrl + A	Select all text in line (press again to select all text in CMD including complete screen buffer)
Shift + Arrow Left / Arrow Right	Extend selection by on character to the left / to the right
Shift + Control + Arrow Left / Arrow Right	Extend selection by on word to the left / to the right
Shift + Arrow Up / Shift + Arrow Down	Extend selection by one line down / one line up
Shift + Home	Extend selection to beginning of command. Press again to include the path (e.g. C:\Windows) into selection
Shift + End	Extend selection to the end of the current line
Ctrl + Shift + Home / End	Extend selection to the beginning/ to the end of screen buffer
Shift + Page Up / Shift + Page Down	Extend selection one page up / down

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Copy and Paste (Expanded with Windows 10)

Shortcut Keys	Functions
Ctrl + C	Copy Text
Ctrl + V	Paste Text

Navigate Text

Shortcut Keys	Functions
Home / End	Jump to beginning, jump to end of the line
Ctrl + Arrow Left / Arrow Right	Jump to next / jump to previous Word
Ctrl + Arrow Up / Arrow Down	Scroll screen up / Scroll screen down

Enter and Manipulate Text

Shortcut Keys	Functions
Ctrl + Backspace	Delete word left to the Cursor
F2, then a…z	From current cursor position , delete up to letter selected
Tab	Autocomplete Folder Name
Escape	Clear current line
Ins	Toggle Insert Mode
Ctrl + End	Delete from cursor position to end of line
Ctrl + Home	Delete from cursor position to beginning of line
Ctrl + Z	Signal end of Line; text afterwards will be ignored

Recall Commands

Shortcut Keys	Functions
Arrow Up / Arrow Down	Scroll through previously used commands
Arrow Right (or F1)	Type previous command character by character. Press and hold works too.
F2, then a…z	Re-type previous command up to letter selected
F3	Repeat previous Command
F7	Show history of prevoius commands
Alt + F7	Clear Command History
F8	Move backwards in command history for commands matching current command

Smileys Key Commands List

Shortcut Keys	Functions
:-)	Basic smiley
;-)	Winky smiley
:-(	Frowning smiley
:-I	Indifferent smiley
:->	User just made a really biting sarcastic remark Worse than a :-)
>:->	User just made a really devilish remark
>;->	Winky and devil combined A very lewd remark was just made
:-o	Wow!
:-c	Real unhappy
:-|	Grim
:-C	Just totally unbelieving
:=|	Baboon
:-B	Drooling
:-v	Speaking
:-,	Smirk
:-V	Shout
:-||	Anger
:-w	Speak with forked tongue
:-r	Sticking tongue out
:-(	Frowning
:-*	Oops!
'-)	Wink
:-T	Keeping a straight face
;-)	Sardonic Incredulity
:-D	Said with a smile
:-x	Kiss kiss
:-"	Pursing lips
:-[	Pouting
:-#	My lips are sealed
:-X	A big wet kiss!
:-P	Tongue hanging out in anticipation
:-Y	A quiet aside
8-|	Eyes wide with surprise
>-<	Absolutely livid!!
&-|	Tearful
|-{	Good Grief!(Charlie Brown?)
:-}	Thish wine tashted pretty good
8-]	wow, maaan
8-O	Omigod!! (done after rm -rf * ?)
:-,	Hmmmm
|~(	Someone just busted my nose
:^D	Great! I like it!
B-D	Serves you right, dummy!!
(-:	User is left handed
%-)	User has been staring at a green screen for 15 hours straight
:*)	User is drunk
[:]	User is a robot
8-)	User is wearing sunglasses
::-)	User wears normal glasses
8:-)	User is a little girl
:-)-8	User is a Big girl
:-{)	User has a mustache
:-{}	User wears lipstick
{:-)	User wears a toupee
}:-(	Toupee in an updraft
:-[	User is a Vampire
:-E	Bucktoothed vampire
:-F	Bucktoothed vampire with one tooth missing
:-7	User just made a wry statement
:-*	User just ate something sour
;-(	User is crying
;-)	User is so happy, s/he is crying
:-@	User is screaming
:-#	User wears braces
:^)	User has a broken nose
:<)	User is from an Ivy League School
+-:-)	User is the Pope or holds some other religious office
:-&	User is tongue tied
`:-)	User shaved one of his eyebrows off this morning
,:-)	Same thing other side
|-I	User is asleep
|-O	User is yawning/snoring
:-Q	User is a smoker
:-?	User smokes a pipe
O-)	Megaton Man On Patrol! (or else, user is a scuba diver)
O :-)	User is an angel (at heart, at least)
:-P	Nyahhhh!
:-S	User just made an incoherent statement
:-D	User is laughing (at you!)
:-X	User's lips are sealed
:-C	User is really bummed
:-/	User is skeptical
C=:-)	User is a chef
@=	User is pro-nuclear war
*<:- span="">	User is wearing a Santa Claus Hat
:-o	Uh oh!
(8-o	It's Mr Bill!
*:o)	And Bozo the Clown!
3:]	Pet smiley
3:[	Mean Pet smiley
d8=	Your pet beaver is wearing goggles and a hard hat
E-:-)	User is a Ham radio operator
:-9	User is licking his/her lips
%-6	User is braindead
[:-)	User is wearing a walkman
(:I	User is an egghead
<:-i span="">	User is a dunce
K:P	User is a little kid with a propeller beenie
@:-)	User is wearing a turban
:-0	No Yelling! (Quiet Lab)
:-:	Mutant Smiley
	The invisible smiley
.-)	User only has one eye
,-)	Ditto but he's winking
X-(	User just died
C=}>;*{O)	Mega-Smiley A drunk, devilish chef with a toupee in an updraft, with a mustache and a double chin
>:] -	Gleep a friendly midget smiley who will gladly be your friend
:) -	Happy
:> -	hmm, let me think
:D -	Laughter
:I -	Hmmm, not funny!
:( -	Sad
:[ -	Real Downer
:< -	what pretences!
:{ -	oh boy, the headmaster!
:O -	Yelling
;( -	Crying
[] -	Hugs and
:* -	Kisses
:-`	smiley spitting out its chewing tobacco
:-!"	smiley drooling
:-$	smiley face with it's mouth wired shut
:-6	smiley after eating something sour
8-)	smiley swimmer
:-*	smiley after eating something bitter
:-&	smiley which is tongue-tied
:-0	smiley orator
(:-(	unsmiley frowning
=:-)	smiley punk-rocker
=:-(	(real punk rockers don't smile)
+-:-)	smiley priest
:-o	smiley singing national anthem
:-p	smiley sticking its tongue out (at you!)
:-[	un-smiley blockhead
:-]	smiley blockhead
:-{	smiley variation on a theme
:-}	ditto
{:-)	smiley with its hair parted in the middle
}:-)	above in an updraft
g-)	smiley with pince-nez glasses
:-\	undecided smiley
:-/	lefty undecided smiley
:-|	have an ordinary day smiley
;-)	winking smiley
:-<	real sad smiley
:-x &	quot;my lips are sealed smiley
:-c	bummed out smiley
:-v	talking head smiley
:-?	smilely smoking a pipe
0-)	smiley cyclops (scuba diver?)
:<	midget unsmiley
:>	midget smiley
:-)	ha ha
~~:-(	net flame
|-)	hee hee
|-D	ho ho
:->	hey hey
:-( boo hoo X-(	net suicide
:-I	hmm
:-O	uh oh
>:-I	net startrek
:-P	nyah nyah
3:o[	net pets
|-P	yuk
:-	Male
>-	Female
8	Infinity
%\v	Picasso
:)	smiley
>:)	a little devil
%-|	been working all night
::-)	wears glasses
}:-(	bull headed
:-{)	has a mustache
:-#	braces
:-&	tounge-tied
:-D	big smile
C|:-=	Charlie Chaplin
=|:-)=	Abe Lincoln
:-W	speak with forked tongue
:-@ &127;	I swear
:-X	my lips are sealed
:-C	really bummed out
C=:-)	chef
*<:- span="">	Santa Claus
:-O	Mr Bill
*:o)	Bozo
:*)	Ed McMahon
[:-)	wearing a walkman
:-))	double chin
:-7	smokes a pipe
C:#	football player
:-)8	man with bowtie
:-()	I stubbed my toe
:-( )	You stepped on my toe
:-( )	You backed your car over my toe
:-Q	smoking smiley
:-{	mustache smiley
7:^]	Ronald Reagan Smiley
*<:0 span="">	clown smiley
:-)+<	person smiley
:-O>-[]	tourist smiley w/camera around his neck
:-~(	smiley with a cold
:-)-o	smiley doctor with a stethoscope
~~:|	Smiley having bad hair day

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