Brian Cryer

 
  

Cry How To...

Windows Shortcut Keys

Windows shortcut keys

Key Combination Description Windows
Vista XP W2K NT4
Control Key (Ctrl) Escape Key (Esc) Start menu. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control Key (Ctrl) Shift key Escape Key Task Manager. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control Key (Ctrl) Alt key Delete key Windows security dialog. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key Pause/Break key System properties dialog. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key D Toggle between minimize all windows and restoring them, i.e. "show desktop" Yes Yes Yes No
Windows Start Key E Open Windows Explorer. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key F Opens search files dialog. Find files dialog in earlier versions of windows. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key Control Key (Ctrl) F Opens search computers dialog. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key F1 (function key) Opens Windows Help. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key L Lock workstation. Yes Yes No No
Windows Start Key M Minimize all windows Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key Shift key M Restore from minimize all windows. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key R Run dialog. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Alt key Tab key Task switcher - cycle tasks. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key Tab key Cycle across the taskbar (does not switch tasks). Switch between windows in Vista. Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Start Key U Opens the Utility Manager; Ease of Access Manager in Vista. Yes Yes Yes No

Note: With the Windows Start Key, Tab key, Alt key and Shift key keys, press and hold down these keys and then press the other key before releasing.

These notes have been tested with Windows NT4, Windows W2K, Windows XP and Windows Vista.