Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows has some great keyboard shortcuts to use while you're working on your computer. Some of them are pretty obvious...you likely have heard of the [ctrl] + [c] to copy, and then [ctrl and [v] to paste.

But how about [windows icon] + [d] to minimize all opened windows, and quickly return to your desktop?

Try it right now as you read this. You should see this document disappear to the bottom of the screen and your desktop background appear. Now hit [windows icon] [d] again, and you should return to this screen.

Some more shortcuts:

Press	To
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+A	Select all.
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.
ALT+TAB	Switch between open items.
ALT+SPACEBAR	Display the System menu for the active window.
CTRL+ESC	Display the Start menu.
F5	Refresh the active window.
BACKSPACE	View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
ESC	Cancel the current task.

Finally, one of my favorites involves this: When you are viewing all of the contents of a folder, type the first few letters of the file or folder you are seeking. Windows will use these letters to quickly get you to the folder you need. A variation of this method involves using Google desktop, which we will discuss in future newsletters.

For more shortcuts, simply go to your Start menu, click help and support, and type in "keyboard shortcuts" in the search box. There are literally hundreds of shortcut variations, but I suggest that you only learn the most essential. If you are successfully able to use keyboard shortcuts in place of your most commonly performed functions, I guarantee an increase in speed and efficency while you are using your PC.