Cry How To...


Windows Shortcut Keys


Contents:


Windows shortcut keys

Key Combination Description Windows versions
Control Key (Ctrl) Escape Key (Esc) Start menu. All
Control Key (Ctrl) Shift key Escape Key Task Manager. All
Control Key (Ctrl) Alt key Delete key Windows security dialog. All
Windows Start Key Pause/Break key System properties dialog. All
Windows Start Key A Opens Accessibility options (if installed) Win 7
Windows Start Key C Opens Control Panel Win 7
Windows Start Key D Toggle between minimize all windows and restoring them, i.e. "show desktop" Win 7, Vista, XP, W2K
Windows Start Key E Open Windows Explorer. All
Windows Start Key F Opens search files dialog. Find files dialog in earlier versions of windows. All
Windows Start Key Control Key (Ctrl) F Opens search computers dialog. All
Windows Start Key F1 (function key) Opens Windows Help. All
Windows Start Key L Lock workstation. Win 7, Vista, XP
Windows Start Key M Minimize all windows All
Windows Start Key Shift key M Restore from minimize all windows. All
Windows Start Key K Opens keyboard properties dialog. Win 7
Windows Start Key I Opens Mouse Properties dialog Win 7
Windows Start Key P Starts Print Manager. Win 7
Windows Start Key R Run dialog. All
Windows Start Key S Toggle CAPS LOCK. Win 7
Alt key Tab key Task switcher - cycle tasks, from left to right. All
Shift key Alt key Tab key Task switcher - cycle tasks, from right to left. All
Windows Start Key Tab key Cycle across the taskbar (does not switch tasks). Switch between windows in Vista. All
Windows Start Key Control Key (Ctrl) Tab key Cycles between Start, Quick Launch toolbar and System tray. Win 7
Windows Start Key U Opens the Utility Manager; Ease of Access Manager in Vista. Win 7, Vista, XP, W2K
Windows Start Key V Starts clipboard. Win 7
Windows Start Key space bar Displays list of Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys Win 7
Alt key Escape Key (Esc) Cycles through programs in most recently used order. All
Print Sreen key Snapshot of screen to clipboard. All
Alt key Print Sreen key Snapshot of current window to clipboard. All

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.
  • "All" in the table above means all versions of windows since and including Windows NT 4. I do not know which key combinations work on earlier versions of Windows than NT 4.

Terminal services (& RDC) shortcut keys

The following key combinations work with terminal services and remote desktop and are not processed by the client:

Key Combination Description
Control Key (Ctrl) Alt key End key Windows security dialog.

Similar to CTRL + ALT + DEL.

Alt key Page Up key Task switcher - cycle tasks, from left to right.

Similar to ALT + TAB.

Alt key Page Down key Task switcher - cycle tasks, from right to left.

Similar to SHIFT + ALT + TAB.

Alt keyInsert key Cycles through programs in most recently used order.

Similar to ALT + ESC.

Alt key Home key Start menu.

Similar to CTRL + ESC.

Control Key (Ctrl) Alt key Break key Switches between full screen and not full screen.
Alt key Delete key Displays Windows menu.
Control Key (Ctrl) Alt key Plus key (numeric keyboard) Snapshot of client window area to terminal server clipboard.

Similar to ALT + PrintScreen.

Control Key (Ctrl) Alt key Minus key (numeric keyboard) Snapshot of active window to terminal server clipboard.

Similar to PrintScreen.


These notes have been tested with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows W2K and Windows NT4.



About the author: is a dedicated software developer and webmaster. For his day job he develops websites and desktop applications as well as providing IT services. He moonlights as a technical author and consultant.