Keybord Shortcuts

Keybord Shortcuts

The keyboard shortcuts listed below are used as an alternate method of working with Windows XP. Many people find it faster and more convenient to use the keyboard when performing some tasks. You will need to experiment with them to find what works best and feels more comfortable to you.


Command Result

CTRL + C Copy
CTRL + X Cut
CTRL + V Paste
CTRL + Z Undo
DELETE Delete
SHIFT + DELETE Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
CTRL while dragging an item Copy selected item
CTRL + SHIFT while dragging an item Create shortcut to selected item
F2 Rename selected item
CTRL + RIGHT ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word
CTRL + LEFT ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL + DOWN ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL + UP ARROW Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
CTRL + SHIFT with any of the arrow keys Highlight a block of text
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
CTRL + A Select all
F3 Search for a file or folder
ALT + ENTER View properties for the selected item
ALT + F4 Close the active item, or quit the active program
ALT + Enter Displays the properties of the selected object
ALT + SPACEBAR Opens the shortcut menu for the active window
CTRL + F4 Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously
ALT + TAB Switch between open items
ALT + ESC Cycle through items in the order they were opened
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4 Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
SHIFT + F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
ALT + SPACEBAR Display the System menu for the active window

CTRL + ESC Display the Start menu
ALT + Underlined letter in a menu name Display the corresponding menu
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu Carry out the corresponding command
F10 Activate the menu bar in the active program
RIGHT ARROW Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
LEFT ARROW Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
F5 Refresh the active window
BACKSPACE View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
ESC Cancel the current task
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.