Microsoft Windows shortcut keys:

Below is a listing of Microsoft Windows shortcut keys.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Alt + Tab	Switch between open applications.
Alt + Shift + Tab	Switch backwards between open applications.
Alt + double-click	Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.
Ctrl + Tab	Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab	Same as above but backwards.
Alt + Print Screen	Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.
Ctrl + Print Screen	Creates a screen shot of the entire screen
Ctrl + Alt + Del	Bring up the Windows "Task Manger" or Reboot the computer.
Ctrl + Esc	Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.
Alt + Esc	Switch Between open applications on taskbar.
F1	Activates help for current open application.
F2	Renames selected Icon.
F3	Starts find from desktop.
F4	Opens the drive selection when browsing.
F5	Refresh Contents to where you were On the page.
Ctrl + F5	Refreshes page to the beginning of the page.
F10	Activates menu bar.
Shift + F10	Simulates right-click on selected item.
F4	Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar.
Alt + F4	Closes Current open program.
Ctrl + F4	Closes Window in Program.
F6	Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane.
Alt + Space bar	Drops down the window control menu.
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.
Alt + Space bar	Open the control menu for the current window open.
Shift + Del	Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin.
Holding Shift	Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting.
Holding Shift	When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.
Enter	Activates the highlighted program.
Alt + Down arrow	Display all available options on drop down menu.
* (on the keypad)	Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer.
+ (on the keypad)	Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
- (on the keypad)	Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.

Basic PC shortcut keys:

Below are list of some basic shortcut keys that will work with almost all compatible computers (PC) and software programs. It is highly recommended that all users try to memorize the following shortcut keys so that it will help you in becoming more pro towards the keyboard or will help you to enhance your keyboard skills.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Alt + F	File menu options in current program.
Alt + E	Edit options in current program
F1	Universal Help in almost every Windows 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.

DIALOG BOX KEYBOARD COMMANDS:

TAB: Move to the next control in the dialog box

SHIFT + TAB: Move to the previous control in the dialog box

SPACEBAR: If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a check box, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option.

ENTER: Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline)

ESC: Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button

ALT + underlined letter in dialog box item: Move to the corresponding item

MICROSOFT NATURAL KEYBOARD WITH INTELLITYPE SOFTWARE INSTALLED:

Windows Logo + L: Log off Windows

Windows Logo + P: Starts Print Manager

Windows Logo + C: Opens Control Panel

Windows Logo + V: Starts Clipboard

Windows Logo + K: Opens Keyboard Properties dialog box

Windows Logo + I: Opens Mouse Properties dialog box

Windows Logo + A: Starts Accessibility Options (if installed)

Windows Logo + SPACEBAR: Displays the list of Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys

Windows Logo + S: Toggles CAPS LOCK on and off

MICROSOFT NATURAL KEYBOARD KEYS:

Windows Logo: Start menu

Windows Logo + R: Run dialog box

Windows Logo + M: Minimize all

SHIFT + Windows Logo+M: Undo minimize all

Windows Logo + F1: Help

Windows Logo + E: Windows Explorer

Windows Logo + F: Find files or folders

Windows Logo + D: Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop

CTRL + Windows Logo + F: Find computer

CTRL + Windows Logo + TAB: Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray (use RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and the system tray)

Windows Logo + TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttons

Windows Logo + Break: System Properties dialog box

Application key: Displays a shortcut menu for the selected item