I receive a lot of questions regarding classical shortcuts. That’s why I decided to provide you with an overview of the most basic keyboard shortcuts on your Windows PC or MAC.
Here they are and enjoy!
These shortcuts for Windows are valid from Windows 3.x to Windows XP. I haven’t tested them on Vista yet.
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
| Alt + F | File menu options in current program. |
| Alt + E | Edit options in current program |
| Ctrl + A | Select all text. |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected item. |
| Shift + Del | Cut selected item. |
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected item. |
| Ctrl + Ins | Copy selected item |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Shift + Ins | Paste |
| Home | Goes to beginning of current line. |
| Ctrl + Home | Goes to beginning of document. |
| End | Goes to end of current line. |
| Ctrl + End | Goes to end of document. |
| Shift + Home | Highlights from current position to beginning of line. |
| Shift + End | Highlights from current position to end of line. |
| Ctrl + Left arrow | Moves one word to the left at a time. |
| Ctrl + Right arrow | Moves one word to the right at a time. |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications. |
| Alt + Shift + Tab | Switch backwards between open applications. |
| Alt + Print Screen | Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Del |
Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager. |
| Ctrl + Esc | Bring Up start menu. |
| Alt + Esc | Switch Between open applications on taskbar. |
| F1 | Shows the Help-function in almost every Windows application |
| F2 | Renames selected Icon. |
| F3 | Starts find from desktop. |
| F4 | Opens the drive selection when browsing. |
| F5 | Refresh Contents. |
| Alt + F4 | Closes Current open program. |
| Ctrl + F4 | Closes Window in Program. |
| Ctrl + (the ‘+’ key on the keypad) | Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows Explorer |
| Alt + Enter | Opens properties window of selected icon or program. |
| Shift + F10 | Simulates right-click on selected item. |
| Shift + Del | Delete programs/files without throwing into the recycle bin. |
| Holding Shift | Boot safe mode or by pass system files. |
| Holding Shift | When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing. |
| Open Apple + Down | Opens the selected icon. |
| Shift + Click | Select the icon and add it to the set of those selected. |
| Tab | Highlight the next icon inside the folder, in alphabetical order. |
| Shift + Tab | Highlight the previous icon inside the folder, in alphabetical order. |
| Left arrow | Used when viewing by icon to select the icon to the left of the one highlighted. |
| Right arrow | Used when viewing by icon to select icon to the right of the one highlighted. |
| Up arrow | Used to select the icon above the one currently highlighted. |
| Down arrow | Used to select the icon below the one currently highlighted. |
| Open Apple + ? | Mac help |
| Open Apple + E | Eject |
| Open Apple + Shift + Up Arrow | Used to direct the input focus to the desktop level. |
| Open Apple + M | Minimize window |
| Open Apple + N | New finder window |
| Open Apple + Shift + N | New folder |
| Open Apple + W | Close the current window. |
| Open Apple + C | Copy the elected item to the clipboard. |
| Open Apple + X | Cut the selected item. |
| Open Apple + V | Paste item from the clipboard |
| Open Apple + L | Make alias |
| Open Apple + R | Show original item |
| Open Apple + T | Add to favorites |
| Open Apple + O | Open the selected icon. |
| Open Apple + F | Display the find dialog box. |
| Open Apple + G | Repeat the last find operation. |
| Open Apple + Shift + G | Takes a snapshot of the screen and saves it to a PICT file. |
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Great Collection Bert.
SHIFT-F10 is a favourite of mine since it allows me to effectively bypass the mouse in many situations. I could see this growing into a 1 page double sided laminated quick reference card. (Sorted by frequency of use)
The windows keys are a useful addition to your list.
Windows + D = show desktop
Windows + L = lock computer
Windows + R = Run dialogue
…
Have a great weekend.
Greg.
http://qualityinlife.wordpress.com