computer shortcuts

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.
Ctrl + Tab With an application that has multiple sub tabs/document windows, this switch between tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Same as above but backwards.
Alt + Print Screen Create a screen shot (image in clipboard) only for the active screen/program.
Print Screen Create a screen shot (image in clipboard) for your entire desktop.
Ctrl + Alt + Del Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.
Ctrl + Esc Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this brings 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 or pull the list of drive selections
F5 Refresh.
F10 Activates menu bar.
Shift + F10 Simulates right-click on selected item.
Alt + F4 Closes Current open program.
Ctrl + F4 Closes Window in Program.
F6 Move cursor to different Windows Explorer panel.
Ctrl + 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.
Shift + Del Permanent Delete - Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin.
Holding Shift at Startup 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.