Basic Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
I thought I would provide a list of keyboard shortcuts that can be used to increase speed and productivity. This is just a basic list of shortcuts that I feel are the most used. I will add more along the way. The benefit of using keyboard shortcuts is that it makes you more productive, mainly because you don’t have to switch between the keyboard and mouse constantly. You can pretty much control your computer from the keyboard alone and only use the mouse when absolutely necessary. Plus, sometimes it can impress your friends that you never touch the mouse!
The abbreviations that are in the following combinations are as follows:
WIN = the Windows key. This is usually located next to the “ALT” key and has a Windows symbol on it.
CTRL = the control key, which is usually located at the very bottom left or right hand corner and has the letters “Ctrl” on it.
ALT = the alternate key, which is usually located on either side of the spacebar.
To activate or use one of these shortcut combinations, press and hold the first key in the combination first, and then press and release the second key in the combination. One thing to keep in mind is when you hit the second key, just press it and release it in a normal fashion. I have personally been instructing people and they press and hold both keys which usually results in some very funny reactions on the computer and with the individual!
WIN + R Brings up a run dialog box
WIN + M Minimizes all the windows on your desktop
WIN + F Opens up the search window
CTRL + X Performs the cut function, and places the selected text in the clipboard ready to paste.
CTRL + C Copies the selected text, leaving it in its original location, and places it in the clipboard ready to paste.
CTRL + V Pastes whatever was just copied or cut using the above functions.
CTRL + Z Undoes your last action. I’m sure you’ll find this one very useful!
CTRL + A Selects everything in the active window. This can be useful for selecting all files to be copied or all text to be copied and pasted.
WIN Just pressing the Windows key by itself will bring up your Start Menu.
ALT + F4 This will close the active window that you are in. If there are no windows open, then it will open the dialog box to shut down the computer. It will be the equivalent of going to your Start Menu and clicking on “Turn Off Computer”.
ALT + TAB If there is more than one window open, this will bring up a small menu in the middle of the screen that allows you to cycle through all the open windows. When you find the one you want, just release both keys.
TAB I know many of you may like this one. How many times have you been filling out a form or typing your username and password and have to reach over and click the mouse to get to the next box? Simply hitting the TAB key will move your cursor to the next box and you can keep typing.
SHIFT + TAB This reverses the direction of the above action and moves your cursor to the previous box.
F2 Simply hitting this button while you have a file or folder selected will let you rename the file or folder.
BACKSPACE This has multiple uses, but I think it is most useful when using your Internet Browser. Simply hitting this key while you are using Internet Explorer or Firefox or any other browser will take you to the previous page that you were on.
These are just some basic keyboard shortcuts. I will post a complete list of shortcuts for any advanced users or anyone who is interested in using their keyboard more. It takes practice especially if you have been using the mouse for a while. But I guarantee that you will like it once you get the hang of it.
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