Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts (Accelerator Keys or Hotkeys) Full Listing

Keyboard shortcuts, which also known as accelerator keys or hotkeys, are a finite set of one key or a combination of two or more keys that, when pressed, will invoke an operation or perform a task by operating system or application program running within the operating system, or simply activate and run a program. Keyboard shortcuts or hot keys make it easier for user to interact with computer, which otherwise would typically require a mouse or other pointing device to perform the operation.

Winodws 7 includes many new keyboard accelerator keys that make it easier to work with menus and other commands. Normally, the keyboard shortcuts to activate the command are listed along with command in the programs’ menus (typically a letter is underlined to indicate that it can be activated by pressing the combination of Alt key with the underlined key). Some are not listed and hidden though.

Here’s the full list of Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts or accelerator hotkeys available on the operating system level and also for several built-in application programs in Windows 7, as published by Microsoft.

Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts

• Right Shift for eight seconds: Turn Filter Keys on and off
• Left Alt + Left Shift + PrtScn (or PrtScn): Turn High Contrast on or off
• Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock: Turn Mouse Keys on or off
• Shift five times: Turn Sticky Keys on or off
• Num Lock for five seconds: Turn Toggle Keys on or off
• Windows logo key + U: Open the Ease of Access Center

General keyboard shortcuts

• F1: Display Help
• Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert): Copy the selected item
• Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item
• Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert): Paste the selected item
• Ctrl + Z: Undo an action
• Ctrl + Y: Redo an action
• Delete (or Ctrl + D): Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
• Shift + Delete: Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
• F2: Rename the selected item
• Ctrl + Right Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
• Ctrl + Left Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
• Ctrl + Down Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
• Ctrl + Up Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
• Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key: Select a block of text
• Shift + any arrow key: Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
• Ctrl + any arrow key + Spacebar: Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
• Ctrl + A: Select all items in a document or window
• F3: Search for a file or folder
• Alt + Enter: Display properties for the selected item
• Alt + F4: Close the active item, or exit the active program
• Alt + Spacebar: Open 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
• Ctrl + Alt + Tab: Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
• Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel: Change the size of icons on the desktop
• Windows logo key + Tab: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
• Ctrl+ Windows logo key + Tab: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
• Alt + Esc: Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
• F6: Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
• F4: Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
• Shift + F10: Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
• Ctrl + Esc: Open the Start menu
• Alt + underlined letter: Display the corresponding menu
• Alt + underlined letter: Perform the menu command (or other underlined 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 (or Ctrl + R): Refresh the active window
• Alt + Up Arrow: View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
• Esc: Cancel the current task
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager
• Shift when you insert a CD: Prevent the CD from automatically playing
• Left Alt + Shift: Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
• Ctrl + ShiftL: Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
• Right or Left Ctrl + Shift: Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + Tab: Move forward through tabs
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Move back through tabs
• Tab: Move forward through options
• Shift + Tab: Move back through options
• Alt + underlined letter: Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
• Enter: Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
• Spacebar: Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
• Arrow keys: Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
• F1: Display Help
• F4: Display the items in the active list
• Backspace: Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

• Windows logo key: Open or close the Start menu.
• Windows logo key + Pause: Display the System Properties dialog box.
• Windows logo key + D: Display the desktop.
• Windows logo key + M: Minimize all windows.
• Windows logo key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows to the desktop.
• Windows logo key + E: Open Computer.
• Windows logo key + F: Search for a file or folder.
• Ctrl + Windows logo key + F: Search for computers (if you’re on a network).
• Windows logo key + L: Lock your computer or switch users.
• Windows logo key + R: Open the Run dialog box.
• Windows logo key + T: Cycle through programs on the taskbar.
• Windows logo key + number: Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.
• Shift + Windows logo key + number: Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
• Ctrl + Windows logo key + number: Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
• Alt + Windows logo key + number: Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
• Windows logo key + Tab: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
• Ctrl+Windows logo key + Tab: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
• Ctrl+Windows logo key + B: Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.
• Windows logo key + Spacebar: Preview the desktop.
• Windows logo key + Up Arrow: Maximize the window.
• Windows logo key + Left Arrow: Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
• Windows logo key + Right Arrow: Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
• Windows logo key + Down Arrow: Minimize the window.
• Windows logo key + Home: Minimize all but the active window.
• Windows logo key + Shift + Up Arrow: Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
• Windows logo key + Shift+ Left Arrow or Right Arrow: Move a window from one monitor to another.
• Windows logo key + P: Choose a presentation display mode.
• Windows logo key + G: Cycle through gadgets.
• Windows logo key + U: Open Ease of Access Center.
• Windows logo key + X: Open Windows Mobility Center.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Open a new window
• Ctrl + W: Close the current window
• Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder
• End: Display the bottom of the active window
• Home: Display the top of the active window
• F11: Maximize or minimize the active window
• Ctrl + Period (.): Rotate a picture clockwise
• Ctrl + Comma (,): Rotate a picture counter-clockwise
• Num Lock + Asterisk (*) on numeric keypad: Display all subfolders under the selected folder
• Num Lock + Plus Sign (+) on numeric keypad: Display the contents of the selected folder
• Num Lock + Minus Sign (-) on numeric keypad: Collapse the selected folder
• Left Arrow: Collapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the parent folder
• Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
• Alt + P: Display the preview pane
• Alt + Left Arrow: View the previous folder
• Backspace: View the previous folder
• Right Arrow: Display the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder
• Alt + Right Arrow: View the next folder
• Alt + Up Arrow: View the parent folder
• Ctrl + Shift + E: Display all folders above the selected folder
• Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel: Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
• Alt + D: Select the address bar
• Ctrl + E: Select the search box
• Ctrl + F: Select the search box

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

• Shift + Click on a taskbar button: Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program
• Ctrl + Shift + Click on a taskbar button: Open a program as an administrator
• Shift + Right-click on a taskbar button: Show the window menu for the program
• Shift + Right-click on a grouped taskbar button: Show the window menu for the group
• Ctrl + Click on a grouped taskbar button: Cycle through the windows of the group

Magnifier keyboard shortcuts

• Windows logo key + Plus Sign or Minus Sign: Zoom in or out
• Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar: Preview the desktop in full-screen mode
• Ctrl + Alt + F: Switch to full-screen mode
• Ctrl + Alt + L: Switch to lens mode
• Ctrl + Alt + D: Switch to docked mode
• Ctrl + Alt + I: Invert colors
• Ctrl + Alt + arrow keys: Pan in the direction of the arrow keys
• Ctrl + Alt + R: Resize the lens
• Windows logo key + Esc: Exit Magnifier

Remote Desktop Connection keyboard shortcuts

• Alt + Page Up: Move between programs from left to right.
• Alt + Page Down: Move between programs from right to left.
• Alt + Insert: Cycle through programs in the order that they were started in.
• Alt + Home: Display the Start menu.
• Ctrl + Alt + Break: Switch between a window and full screen.
• Ctrl + Alt + End: Display the Windows Security dialog box.
• Alt + Delete: Display the system menu.
• Ctrl + Alt + Minus Sign (-) on the numeric keypad: Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt + PrtScn on a local computer).
• Ctrl + Alt + Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad: Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing PrtScn on a local computer).
• Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow: “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.
• Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow: “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.

Paint keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Create a new picture
• Ctrl + O: Open an existing picture
• Ctrl + S: Save changes to a picture
• F12: Save the picture as a new file
• Ctrl + P: Print a picture
• Alt + F4: Close a picture and its Paint window
• Ctrl + Z: Undo a change
• Ctrl + Y: Redo a change
• Ctrl + A: Select the entire picture
• Ctrl + X: Cut a selection
• Ctrl + C: Copy a selection to the Clipboard
• Ctrl + V: Paste a selection from the Clipboard
• Right Arrow: Move the selection or active shape right by one pixel
• Left Arrow: Move the selection or active shape left by one pixel
• Down Arrow: Move the selection or active shape down by one pixel
• Up Arrow: Move the selection or active shape up by one pixel
• Esc: Cancel a selection
• Delete: Delete a selection
• Ctrl + B: Bold selected text
• Ctrl + +: Increase the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
• Ctrl + -: Decrease the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
• Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text
• Ctrl + U: Underline selected text
• Ctrl + E: Open the Properties dialog box
• Ctrl + W: Open the Resize and Skew dialog box
• Ctrl + Page Up: Zoom in
• Ctrl + Page Down: Zoom out
• F11: View a picture in full-screen mode
• Ctrl + R: Show or hide the ruler
• Ctrl + G: Show or hide gridlines
• F10 or Alt: Display keytips
• Shift + F10: Show the current shortcut menu
• F1: Open Paint Help

WordPad keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Create a new document
• Ctrl + O: Open an existing document
• Ctrl + S: Save changes to a document
• F12: Save the document as a new file
• Ctrl + P: Print a document
• Alt + F4: Close WordPad
• Ctrl + Z: Undo a change
• Ctrl + Y: Redo a change
• Ctrl + A: Select the entire document
• Ctrl + X: Cut a selection
• Ctrl + C: Copy a selection to the Clipboard
• Ctrl + V: Paste a selection from the Clipboard
• Ctrl + B: Make selected text bold
• Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text
• Ctrl + U: Underline selected text
• Ctrl + =: Make selected text subscript
• Ctrl + Shift + =: Make selected text superscript
• Ctrl + L: Align text left
• Ctrl + E Align text center
• Ctrl + R:: Align text right
• Ctrl + J: Justify text
• Ctrl + 1: Set single line spacing
• Ctrl + 2: Set double line spacing
• Ctrl + 5: Set line spacing to 1.5
• Ctrl + Shift + >: Increase the font size
• Ctrl + Shift + <: Decrease the font size
• Ctrl + Shift + A: Change characters to all capitals
• Ctrl + Shift + L: Change the bullet style
• Ctrl + D: Insert a Microsoft Paint drawing
• Ctrl + F: Find text in a document
• F3: Find the next instance of the text in the Find dialog box
• Ctrl + H: Replace text in a document
• Ctrl + Left Arrow: Move the cursor one word to the left
• Ctrl + Right Arrow: Move the cursor one word to the right
• Ctrl + Up Arrow: Move the cursor to the line above
• Ctrl + Down Arrow: Move the cursor to the line below
• Ctrl + Home: Move to the beginning of the document
• Ctrl + End: Move to the end of the document
• Ctrl + Page Up: Move up one page
• Ctrl + Page Down: Move down one page
• Ctrl + Delete: Delete the next word
• F10: Display keytips
• Shift + F10: Show the current shortcut menu
• F1: Open WordPad Help

Calculator keyboard shortcuts

• Alt + 1: Switch to Standard mode
• Alt + 2: Switch to Scientific mode
• Alt + 3: Switch to Programmer mode
• Alt + 4: Switch to Statistics mode
• Ctrl + E: Open date calculations
• Ctrl + H: Turn calculation history on or off
• Ctrl + U: Open unit conversion
• Alt + C: Calculate or solve date calculations and worksheets
• F1: Open Calculator Help
• Ctrl + Q: Press the M- button
• Ctrl + P: Press the M+ button
• Ctrl + M: Press the MS button
• Ctrl + R: Press the MR button
• Ctrl + L: Press the MC button
• %: Press the % button
• F9: Press the +/– button
• /: Press the / button
• *: Press the * button
• +: Press the + button
• -: Press the – button
• R: Press the 1/× button
• @: Press the square root button
• 0-9: Press the number buttons (0-9)
• =: Press the = button
• .: Press the . (decimal point) button
• Backspace: Press the backspace button
• Esc: Press the C button
• Del: Press the CE button
• Ctrl + Shift + D: Clear the calculation history
• F2: Edit the calculation history
• Up Arrow key: Navigate up in the calculation history
• Down Arrow key: Navigate down in the calculation history
• Esc: Cancel editing the calculation history
• Enter: Recalculate the calculation history after editing
• F3: Select Degrees in Scientific mode
• F4: Select Radians in Scientific mode
• F5: Select Grads in Scientific mode
• I: Press the Inv button in Scientific mode
• D: Press the Mod button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + S: Press the sinh button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + O: Press the cosh button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + T: Press the tanh button in Scientific mode
• (: Press the ( button in Scientific mode
• ): Press the ) button in Scientific mode
• N: Press the ln button in Scientific mode
• ;: Press the Int button in Scientific mode
• S: Press the sin button in Scientific mode
• O: Press the cos button in Scientific mode
• T: Press the tan button in Scientific mode
• M: Press the dms button in Scientific mode
• P: Press the pi button in Scientific mode
• V: Press the F-E button in Scientific mode
• X: Press the Exp button in Scientific mode
• Q: Press the x^2 button in Scientific mode
• Y: Press the x^y button in Scientific mode
• #: Press the x^3 button in Scientific mode
• L: Press the log button in Scientific mode
• !: Press the n! button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + Y: Press the y√x button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + B: Press the 3√x button in Scientific mode
• Ctrl + G: Press the 10x button in Scientific mode
• F5: Select Hex in Programmer mode
• F6: Select Dec in Programmer mode
• F7: Select Oct in Programmer mode
• F8: Select Bin in Programmer mode
• F12: Select Qword in Programmer mode
• F2: Select Dword in Programmer mode
• F3: Select Word in Programmer mode
• F4: Select Byte in Programmer mode
• K: Press the RoR button in Programmer mode
• J: Press the RoL button in Programmer mode
• <: Press the Lsh button in Programmer mode
• >: Press the Rsh button in Programmer mode
• %: Press the Mod button in Programmer mode
• (: Press the ( button in Programmer mode
• ): Press the ) button in Programmer mode
• |: Press the Or button in Programmer mode
• ^: Press the Xor button in Programmer mode
• ~: Press the Not button in Programmer mode
• &: Press the And button in Programmer mode
• A-F: Press the A-F buttons in Programmer mode
• Spacebar: Toggles the bit value in Programmer mode
• A: Press the Average button in Statistics mode
• Ctrl + A: Press the Average Sq button in Statistics mode
• S: Press the Sum button in Statistics mode
• Ctrl + S: Press the Sum Sq button in Statistics mode
• T: Press the S.D. button in Statistics mode
• Ctrl + T: Press the Inv S.D. button in Statistics mode
• D: Press the CAD button in Statistics mode

Windows Journal keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + N: Start a new note
• Ctrl + O: Open a recently used note
• Ctrl + S: Save changes to a note
• Ctrl + Shift + V: Move a note to a specific folder
• Ctrl + P: Print a note
• Alt + F4: Close a note and its Journal window
• Ctrl + Z: Undo a change
• Ctrl + Y: Redo a change
• Ctrl + A: Select all items on a page
• Ctrl + X: Cut a selection
• Ctrl + C: Copy a selection to the Clipboard
• Ctrl + V: Paste a selection from the Clipboard
• Esc: Cancel a selection
• Delete: Delete a selection
• Ctrl + F: Start a basic find
• Ctrl + G: Go to a page
• F5: Refresh find results
• F5: Refresh the note list
• F6: Toggle between a note list and a note
• Ctrl + Shift + C: Display a shortcut menu for column headings in a note list
• F11: View a note in full-screen mode
• F1: Open Journal Help

Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts

• Alt + C: Display the Table of Contents
• Alt + N: Display the Connection Settings menu
• F10: Display the Options menu
• Alt + Left Arrow: Move back to the previously viewed topic
• Alt + Right Arrow: Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
• Alt + A: Display the customer support page
• Alt + Home: Display the Help and Support home page
• Home: Move to the beginning of a topic
• End: Move to the end of a topic
• Ctrl + F: Search the current topic
• Ctrl + P: Print a topic
• F3: Move the cursor to the search box

The Master List of  Windows 7 Shortcuts

The full list of keyboard shortcuts includes:

• Win+Home: Clear all but the active window.
• Win+Space: All windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop.
• Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window.
• Shift+Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window vertically.
• Win+Down arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it's maximized.
• Win+Left/Right arrows: Dock the window to each side of the monitor.
• Shift+Win+Left/Right arrows: Move the window to the monitor on the left or right.

You can also interact with windows by dragging them with the mouse:

• Drag window to the top: Maximize
• Drag window left/right: Dock the window to fill half of the screen.
• Shake window back/forth: Minimize everything but the current window.
• Double-Click Top Window Border (edge): Maximize window vertically.

Taskbar Shortcuts

In Windows 7, using the Windows key along with the numbers 1-9 will let you interact with the applications pinned to the taskbar in those positions – for example, the Windows key + 4 combination would launch Outlook in this example, or Win+Alt+4 can be used to get quick access to the Outlook Jump List from the keyboard.

You can use any of these shortcut combinations to launch the applications in their respective position on the taskbar, or more:

• Win+number (1-9): Starts the application pinned to the taskbar in that position, or switches to that program.
• Shift+Win+number (1-9): Starts a new instance of the application pinned to the taskbar in that position.
• Ctrl+Win+number (1-9): Cycles through open windows for the application pinned to the taskbar in that position.
• Alt+Win+number (1-9): Opens the Jump List for the application pinned to the taskbar.
• Win+T: Focus and scroll through items on the taskbar.
• Win+B: Focuses the System Tray icons

In addition, you can interact with the taskbar using your mouse and a modifier key:

• Shift+Click on a taskbar button: Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program.
• Ctrl+Shift+Click on a taskbar button: Open a program as an administrator.
• Shift+Right-click on a taskbar button: Show the window menu for the program (like XP does).
• Shift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar button: Show the window menu for the group.
• Ctrl+Click on a grouped taskbar button: Cycle through the windows of the group.

More Useful Hotkeys You Should Know

The new hotkey goodness didn't stop with the taskbar and moving windows around—one of the best new hotkeys in Windows 7 is the fact that you can create a new folder with a hotkey. Just open up any Windows Explorer window, hit the Ctrl+Shift+N shortcut key sequence, and you'll be rewarded with a shiny "New Folder" ready for you to rename.

Here's a few more interesting hotkeys for you:

• Ctrl+Shift+N: Creates a new folder in Windows Explorer.
• Alt+Up: Goes up a folder level in Windows Explorer.
• Alt+P: Toggles the preview pane in Windows Explorer.
• Shift+Right-Click on a file: Adds Copy as Path, which copies the path of a file to the clipboard.
• Shift+Right-Click on a file: Adds extra hidden items to the Send To menu.
• Shift+Right-Click on a folder: Adds Command Prompt Here, which lets you easily open a command prompt in that folder.
• Win+P: Adjust presentation settings for your display.
• Win+(+/-): Zoom in/out.
• Win+G: Cycle between the Windows Gadgets on your screen.

Windows Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts

Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that can help make your computer easier to use.

Press this key	To do this
Right Shift for eight seconds	Turn Filter Keys on and off
Left Alt+Left Shift+PrtScn (or PrtScn)	Turn High Contrast on or off
Left Alt+Left Shift+Num Lock	Turn Mouse Keys on or off
Shift five times	Turn Sticky Keys on or off
Num Lock for five seconds	Turn Toggle Keys on or off
Windows logo key  +U	Open the Ease of Access Center

General keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts.

Press this key	To do this
F1	Display Help
Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)	Copy the selected item
Ctrl+X	Cut the selected item
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)	Paste the selected item
Ctrl+Z	Undo an action
Ctrl+Y	Redo an action
Delete (or Ctrl+D)	Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Shift+Delete	Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
F2	Rename the selected item
Ctrl+Right Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl+Left Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl+Down Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl+Up Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl+Shift with an arrow key	Select a block of text
Shift with any arrow key	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
Ctrl with any arrow key+Spacebar	Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl+A	Select all items in a document or window
F3	Search for a file or folder
Alt+Enter	Display properties for the selected item
Alt+F4	Close the active item, or exit the active program
Alt+Spacebar	Open 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
Ctrl+Alt+Tab	Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheel	Change the size of icons on the desktop
Windows logo key  +Tab	Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Ctrl+Windows logo key  +Tab	Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Alt+Esc	Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4	Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
Shift+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Ctrl+Esc	Open the Start menu
Alt+underlined letter	Display the corresponding menu
Alt+underlined letter	Perform the menu command (or other underlined 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 (or Ctrl+R)	Refresh the active window
Alt+Up Arrow	View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
Esc	Cancel the current task
Ctrl+Shift+Esc	Open Task Manager
Shift when you insert a CD	Prevent the CD from automatically playing
Left Alt+Shift	Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
Ctrl+Shift	Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
Right or Left Ctrl+Shift	Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for use in dialog boxes.

Press this key	To do this
Ctrl+Tab	Move forward through tabs
Ctrl+Shift+Tab	Move back through tabs
Tab	Move forward through options
Shift+Tab	Move back through options
Alt+underlined letter	Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
Enter	Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
Spacebar	Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow keys	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F1	Display Help
F4	Display the items in the active list
Backspace	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key .

Press this key	To do this
Windows logo key	Open or close the Start menu.
Windows logo key +Pause	Display the System Properties dialog box.
Windows logo key +D	Display the desktop.
Windows logo key +M	Minimize all windows.
Windows logo key +Shift+M	Restore minimized windows to the desktop.
Windows logo key +E	Open Computer.
Windows logo key +F	Search for a file or folder.
Ctrl+Windows logo key  +F	Search for computers (if you're on a network).
Windows logo key +L	Lock your computer or switch users.
Windows logo key +R	Open the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key +T	Cycle through programs on the taskbar.
Windows logo key +number	Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.
Shift+Windows logo key +number	Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Ctrl+Windows logo key +number	Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Alt+Windows logo key+number	Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key +Tab	Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Windows logo key  +Tab	Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Windows logo key  +B	Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.
Windows logo key +Spacebar	Preview the desktop.
Windows logo key +Up Arrow	Maximize the window.
Windows logo key +Left Arrow	Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
Windows logo key +Right Arrow	Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
Windows logo key +Down Arrow	Minimize the window.
Windows logo key +Home	Minimize all but the active window.
Windows logo key +Shift+Up Arrow	Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows logo key +Shift+Left Arrow or Right Arrow	Move a window from one monitor to another.
Windows logo key +P	Choose a presentation display mode.
Windows logo key +G	Cycle through gadgets.
Windows logo key +U	Open Ease of Access Center.
Windows logo key +X	Open Windows Mobility Center.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Explorer windows or folders.

Press this key	To do this
Ctrl+N	Open a new window
Ctrl+W	Close the current window
Ctrl+Shift+N	Create a new folder
End	Display the bottom of the active window
Home	Display the top of the active window
F11	Maximize or minimize the active window
Ctrl+Period (.)	Rotate a picture clockwise
Ctrl+Comma (,)	Rotate a picture counter-clockwise
Num Lock+Asterisk (*) on numeric keypad	Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock+Plus Sign (+) on numeric keypad	Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock+Minus Sign (-) on numeric keypad	Collapse the selected folder
Left Arrow	Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the parent folder
Alt+Enter	Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt+P	Display the preview pane
Alt+Left Arrow	View the previous folder
Backspace	View the previous folder
Right Arrow	Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Alt+Right Arrow	View the next folder
Alt+Up Arrow	View the parent folder
Ctrl+Shift+E	Display all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheel	Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
Alt+D	Select the address bar
Ctrl+E	Select the search box
Ctrl+F	Select the search box

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the taskbar.

Press this key	To do this
Shift+Click on a taskbar button	Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program
Ctrl+Shift+Click on a taskbar button	Open a program as an administrator
Shift+Right-click on a taskbar button	Show the window menu for the program
Shift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar button	Show the window menu for the group
Ctrl+Click on a grouped taskbar button	Cycle through the windows of the group

Magnifier keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Magnifier.

Press this key	To do this
Windows logo key + Plus Sign (+) or Minus Sign (-)	Zoom in or out
Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar	Preview the desktop in full-screen mode
Ctrl+Alt+F	Switch to full-screen mode
Ctrl+Alt+L	Switch to lens mode
Ctrl+Alt+D	Switch to docked mode
Ctrl+Alt+I	Invert colors
Ctrl+Alt+arrow keys	Pan in the direction of the arrow keys
Ctrl+Alt+R	Resize the lens
Windows logo key + Esc	Exit Magnifier

Remote Desktop Connection keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Remote Desktop Connection.

Press this key	To do this
Alt+Page Up	Move between programs from left to right.
Alt+Page Down	Move between programs from right to left.
Alt+Insert	Cycle through programs in the order that they were started in.
Alt+Home	Display the Start menu.
Ctrl+Alt+Break	Switch between a window and full screen.
Ctrl+Alt+End	Display the Windows Security dialog box.
Alt+Delete	Display the system menu.
Ctrl+Alt+Minus Sign (-) on the numeric keypad	Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+PrtScn on a local computer).
Ctrl+Alt+Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad	Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing PrtScn on a local computer).
Ctrl+Alt+Right Arrow	“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.
Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow	“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.

Note

Ctrl+Alt+Break and Ctrl+Alt+End are available in all Remote Desktop sessions, even when you've set up the remote computer to recognizeWindows keyboard shortcuts.

Paint keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Paint.

Press this key	To do this
Ctrl+N	Create a new picture
Ctrl+O	Open an existing picture
Ctrl+S	Save changes to a picture
F12	Save the picture as a new file
Ctrl+P	Print a picture
Alt+F4	Close a picture and its Paint window
Ctrl+Z	Undo a change
Ctrl+Y	Redo a change
Ctrl+A	Select the entire picture
Ctrl+X	Cut a selection
Ctrl+C	Copy a selection to the Clipboard
Ctrl+V	Paste a selection from the Clipboard
Right Arrow	Move the selection or active shape right by one pixel
Left Arrow	Move the selection or active shape left by one pixel
Down Arrow	Move the selection or active shape down by one pixel
Up Arrow	Move the selection or active shape up by one pixel
Esc	Cancel a selection
Delete	Delete a selection
Ctrl+B	Bold selected text
Ctrl++	Increase the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
Ctrl+-	Decrease the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
Ctrl+I	Italicize selected text
Ctrl+U	Underline selected text
Ctrl+E	Open the Properties dialog box
Ctrl+W	Open the Resize and Skew dialog box
Ctrl+Page Up	Zoom in
Ctrl+Page Down	Zoom out
F11	View a picture in full-screen mode
Ctrl+R	Show or hide the ruler
Ctrl+G	Show or hide gridlines
F10 or Alt	Display keytips
Shift+F10	Show the current shortcut menu
F1	Open Paint Help

WordPad keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with WordPad.

Press this key	To do this
Ctrl+N	Create a new document
Ctrl+O	Open an existing document
Ctrl+S	Save changes to a document
F12	Save the document as a new file
Ctrl+P	Print a document
Alt+F4	Close WordPad
Ctrl+Z	Undo a change
Ctrl+Y	Redo a change
Ctrl+A	Select the entire document
Ctrl+X	Cut a selection
Ctrl+C	Copy a selection to the Clipboard
Ctrl+V	Paste a selection from the Clipboard
Ctrl+B	Make selected text bold
Ctrl+I	Italicize selected text
Ctrl+U	Underline selected text
Ctrl+=	Make selected text subscript
Ctrl+Shift+=	Make selected text superscript
Ctrl+L	Align text left
Ctrl+E	Align text center
Ctrl+R	Align text right
Ctrl+J	Justify text
Ctrl+1	Set single line spacing
Ctrl+2	Set double line spacing
Ctrl+5	Set line spacing to 1.5
Ctrl+Shift+>	Increase the font size
Ctrl+Shift+<	Decrease the font size
Ctrl+Shift+A	Change characters to all capitals
Ctrl+Shift+L	Change the bullet style
Ctrl+D	Insert a Microsoft Paint drawing
Ctrl+F	Find text in a document
F3	Find the next instance of the text in the Find dialog box
Ctrl+H	Replace text in a document
Ctrl+Left Arrow	Move the cursor one word to the left
Ctrl+Right Arrow	Move the cursor one word to the right
Ctrl+Up Arrow	Move the cursor to the line above
Ctrl+Down Arrow	Move the cursor to the line below
Ctrl+Home	Move to the beginning of the document
Ctrl+End	Move to the end of the document
Ctrl+Page Up	Move up one page
Ctrl+Page Down	Move down one page
Ctrl+Delete	Delete the next word
F10	Display keytips
Shift+F10	Show the current shortcut menu
F1	Open WordPad Help

Calculator keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Calculator.

Press this key	To do this
Alt+1	Switch to Standard mode
Alt+2	Switch to Scientific mode
Alt+3	Switch to Programmer mode
Alt+4	Switch to Statistics mode
Ctrl+E	Open date calculations
Ctrl+H	Turn calculation history on or off
Ctrl+U	Open unit conversion
Alt+C	Calculate or solve date calculations and worksheets
F1	Open Calculator Help
Ctrl+Q	Press the M- button
Ctrl+P	Press the M+ button
Ctrl+M	Press the MS button
Ctrl+R	Press the MR button
Ctrl+L	Press the MC button
%	Press the % button
F9	Press the +/– button
/	Press the / button
*	Press the * button
+	Press the + button
-	Press the – button
R	Press the 1/× button
@	Press the square root button
0-9	Press the number buttons (0-9)
=	Press the = button
.	Press the . (decimal point) button
Backspace	Press the backspace button
Esc	Press the C button
Del	Press the CE button
Ctrl+Shift+D	Clear the calculation history
F2	Edit the calculation history
Up Arrow key	Navigate up in the calculation history
Down Arrow key	Navigate down in the calculation history
Esc	Cancel editing the calculation history
Enter	Recalculate the calculation history after editing
F3	Select Degrees in Scientific mode
F4	Select Radians in Scientific mode
F5	Select Grads in Scientific mode
I	Press the Inv button in Scientific mode
D	Press the Mod button in Scientific mode
Ctrl+S	Press the sinh button in Scientific mode
Ctrl+O	Press the cosh button in Scientific mode
Ctrl+T	Press the tanh button in Scientific mode
(	Press the ( button in Scientific mode
)	Press the ) button in Scientific mode
N	Press the ln button in Scientific mode
;	Press the Int button in Scientific mode
S	Press the sin button in Scientific mode
O	Press the cos button in Scientific mode
T	Press the tan button in Scientific mode
M	Press the dms button in Scientific mode
P	Press the pi button in Scientific mode
V	Press the F-E button in Scientific mode
X	Press the Exp button in Scientific mode
Q	Press the x^2 button in Scientific mode
Y	Press the x^y button in Scientific mode
#	Press the x^3 button in Scientific mode
L	Press the log button in Scientific mode
!	Press the n! button in Scientific mode
Ctrl+Y	Press the y√x button in Scientific mode
Ctrl+B	Press the 3√x button in Scientific mode
Ctrl+G	Press the 10x button in Scientific mode
F5	Select Hex in Programmer mode
F6	Select Dec in Programmer mode
F7	Select Oct in Programmer mode
F8	Select Bin in Programmer mode
F12	Select Qword in Programmer mode
F2	Select Dword in Programmer mode
F3	Select Word in Programmer mode
F4	Select Byte in Programmer mode
K	Press the RoR button in Programmer mode
)	Press the RoL button in Programmer mode
<	Press the Lsh button in Programmer mode
>	Press the Rsh button in Programmer mode
%	Press the Mod button in Programmer mode
(	Press the ( button in Programmer mode
)	Press the ) button in Programmer mode
|	Press the Or button in Programmer mode
^	Press the Xor button in Programmer mode
~	Press the Not button in Programmer mode
&	Press the And button in Programmer mode
A-F	Press the A-F buttons in Programmer mode
Spacebar	Toggles the bit value in Programmer mode
A	Press the Average button in Statistics mode
Ctrl+A	Press the Average Sq button in Statistics mode
S	Press the Sum button in Statistics mode
Ctrl+S	Press the Sum Sq button in Statistics mode
T	Press the S.D. button in Statistics mode
Ctrl+T	Press the Inv S.D. button in Statistics mode
D	Press the CAD button in Statistics mode

Windows Journal keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Journal.

Press this key	To do this
Ctrl+N	Start a new note
Ctrl+O	Open a recently used note
Ctrl+S	Save changes to a note
Ctrl+Shift+V	Move a note to a specific folder
Ctrl+P	Print a note
Alt+F4	Close a note and its Journal window
Ctrl+Z	Undo a change
Ctrl+Y	Redo a change
Ctrl+A	Select all items on a page
Ctrl+X	Cut a selection
Ctrl+C	Copy a selection to the Clipboard
Ctrl+V	Paste a selection from the Clipboard
Esc	Cancel a selection
Delete	Delete a selection
Ctrl+F	Start a basic find
Ctrl+G	Go to a page
F5	Refresh find results
F5	Refresh the note list
F6	Toggle between a note list and a note
Ctrl+Shift+C	Display a shortcut menu for column headings in a note list
F11	View a note in full-screen mode
F1	Open Journal Help

Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with the Help viewer.

Press this key	To do this
Alt+C	Display the Table of Contents
Alt+N	Display the Connection Settings menu
F10	Display the Options menu
Alt+Left Arrow	Move back to the previously viewed topic
Alt+Right Arrow	Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
Alt+A	Display the customer support page
Alt+Home	Display the Help and Support home page
Home	Move to the beginning of a topic
End	Move to the end of a topic
Ctrl+F	Search the current topic
Ctrl+P	Print a topic
F3	Move the cursor to the search box