Section 2.3. Keyboard Shortcuts


2.3. Keyboard Shortcuts

This section lists many useful keyboard accelerators. The listings are organized both by keystroke (alphabetically within groups such as function key, Alt-key combination, and so forth) and by function or context (during startup, in the Recycle Bin, for managing windows, and so forth). The first section lists the key and then the function. The second section lists the desired function and then the required key(s).

Note that in addition to the standard keyboard accelerators, you can define accelerators of your own. For example, you can define a Ctrl-Alt combination to invoke any shortcut, whether it's on the Desktop, in the Start menu, or in any other folder. Right-click any Windows shortcut icon (even those right in your Start menu), select Properties, choose the Shortcut tab, and in the Shortcut key field, type the key (not including Ctrl and Alt) to which the shortcut should be linked. For example, to assign Ctrl-Alt-Z to the current shortcut, simply type Z in the field. You can use any key except Esc, Enter, Tab, the Space bar, PrintScreen, Backspace, and Delete. If it conflicts with an accelerator used by any existing application, the accelerator you've just defined will usually override the existing accelerator (test it to make sure). To clear an existing shortcut's accelerator, just empty the Shortcut key field on the shortcut's Properties sheet. These instructions apply to Windows shortcuts only. Internet shortcuts don't support keyboard accelerators.

2.3.1. Keyboard Accelerators Listed by Key

Tables 2-1 through 2-7 list keystrokes that will work in Windows Explorer and most of the components that come with Windows Vista. However, some applications (including Microsoft applications) don't always follow the rules.

Table 2-1. Function keys

Key

Action

F1

Start Help (supported in most applications).

F2

Rename selected icon or file in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop.

F3

Open Search (in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop only).

F4

Open a drop-down list (supported in many dialog boxes)for example, press F4 in a File Open dialog to drop down the Look In list.

F5

Refresh the view in Windows Explorer, on the Desktop, in the Registry Editor, and some other applications.

F6

Move focus between panes in Windows Explorer.

F10

Send focus to the current application's menu.


Table 2-2. Miscellaneous keys

Key

Action

Arrow keys

Basic navigation: move through menus, reposition the text cursor (insertion point), change the file selection, and so on.

Backspace

Move up one level in the folder hierarchy (Windows Explorer only).

Delete

Delete selected item(s) or selected text.

Down arrow

Open a drop-down listbox.

End

Go to end of line when editing text, or to the end of file list.

Enter

Activate highlighted choice in menu or dialog box, or insert a carriage return when editing text.

Esc

Close dialog box, message window, or menu without activating any choice (usually the same as clicking Cancel).

Home

Go to beginning of line (when editing text), or to the beginning of file list.

Page down

Scroll down one screen.

Page up

Scroll up one screen.

PrintScreen

Copy entire screen as a bitmap to the Clipboard.

Space bar

Toggle a checkbox that is selected in a dialog box, activate the command button with the focus, or toggle the selection of files when selecting multiple files with Ctrl.

Tab

Move focus to next control in a dialog box or window (hold Shift to go backward).


Table 2-3. Alt key combinations

Key(s)

Action

Alt (by itself)

Send focus to the menu (same as F10). Also turns on the menu in applications where it is no longer used by default, such as Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.

Alt-x

Activate menu or dialog control, where letter x is underlined (if the underlines are not visible, pressing Alt will display them).

Alt-double-click (on icon)

Display Properties sheet.

Alt-Enter

Display Properties sheet for selected icon in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop. Also switches command prompt between windowed and full-screen display.

Alt-Esc

Drop active window to bottom of pile, which, in effect, activates next open window.

Alt-F4

Close current window; if Taskbar or Desktop has the focus, exit Windows.

Alt-hyphen

Open the current document's system menu in a multiple document interface (MDI) application.

Alt-numbers

When used with the numbers on the numeric keypad only, inserts special characters corresponding to their ASCII codes into many applications. For example, press the Alt key and type 0169 for the copyright symbol.

Alt-PrintScreen

Copy active window as a bitmap to the Clipboard.

Alt-Shift-Tab

Same as Alt-Tab, but in the opposite direction.

Alt-Space bar

Open the current window's system menu.

Alt-Tab

Switch to the next running applicationhold Alt while pressing Tab to cycle through running applications.

Alt-M

When the Taskbar has the focus, minimize all windows and move focus to the Desktop.

Alt-S

When the Taskbar has the focus, open the Start menu.


Table 2-4. Ctrl key combinations

Keys

Action

Ctrl-A

Select all; in Windows Explorer, selects all files in the current folder. In word processors, selects all text in the current document.

Ctrl-Alt-x

User-defined accelerator for a shortcut, in which x is any key (discussed at the beginning of this chapter).

Ctrl-Alt-Delete

Show the logon dialog when no user is currently logged on; otherwise, switch to the Windows Security dialog, which provides access to Task Manager and Log Off, as well as switching to another user, allowing you to change your password or lock the computer. Use Ctrl-Alt-Delete to access the Task Manager when Explorer crashes or your computer becomes unresponsive.

Ctrl-arrow key

Scroll without moving selection.

Ctrl-click

Use to select multiple, noncontiguous items in a list or in Windows Explorer.

Ctrl-drag

Copy a file.

Ctrl-End

Move to the end of a document (in many applications).

Ctrl-Esc

Open the Start menu; press Esc and then Tab to move focus to the Taskbar, or press Tab again to move focus to the Taskbar, and then cycle through the toolbars on the Taskbar every time you press Tab.

Ctrl-F4

Close a document window in an MDI application.

Ctrl-F6

Switch between multiple documents in an MDI application. Similar to Ctrl-Tab; hold Shift to go in reverse.

Ctrl-Home

Move to the beginning of a document (in many applications).

Ctrl-Space bar

Select or deselect multiple, noncontiguous items in a listbox or in Windows Explorer.

Ctrl-Tab

Switch among tabs in a tabbed dialog or Internet Explorer; hold Shift to go in reverse.

Ctrl-C

Copy the selected item or selected text to the Clipboard. Also interrupts some command prompt applications.

Ctrl-F

Open Search (in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop only).

Ctrl-V

Paste the contents of the Clipboard.

Ctrl-X

Cut the selected item or selected text to the Clipboard.

Ctrl-Z

Undo; for example, erases text just entered, and repeals the last file operation in Windows Explorer.


Table 2-5. Shift key combinations

Key(s)

Action

Shift

While inserting a CD, hold to disable AutoPlay.

Shift-arrow keys

Select text or select multiple items in a listbox or in Windows Explorer.

Shift-click

Select all items between currently selected item and item on which you're clicking; also works when selecting text.

Shift-click Close button

Close current folder and all parent folders (Windows Explorer in single-folder view only).

Shift-Alt-Tab

Same as Alt-Tab, but in reverse.

Shift-Ctrl-Tab

Same as Ctrl-Tab, but in reverse.

Shift-Ctrl-Esc

Open the Task Manager.

Shift-Delete

Delete a file without putting it in the Recycle Bin.

Shift-double-click

Open folder in two-pane Explorer view.

Shift-Tab

Same as Tab, but in reverse.


Table 2-6. Windows logo key (WIN) combinations

Key(s)

Action

WIN

Open the Start menu.

WIN-Tab

If the Aero interface is active, this activates Windows Flip 3D.

WIN-Pause/Break

Display System Control Panel applet.

WIN-Space bar

Display the Sidebar.

WIN-D

Minimize all windows and move focus to Desktop.

WIN-E

Start Windows Explorer.

WIN-F

Launch Search.

Ctrl-WIN-F

Search for a computer on your network (requires Active Directory).

WIN-L

Lock computer, requiring password to regain access.[a]

WIN-M

Minimize current window.

Shift-WIN-M

Undo minimize current window.

WIN-R

Display Run dialog.

WIN-U

Open the Ease of Access Center.

[a]


[a] You can also lock your computer by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete and clicking Lock this Computer.

Table 2-7. Command Prompt keyboard accelerators

Key(s)

Action

Left/right arrow

Move cursor backward/forward one character.

Ctrl + left/right arrow

Move cursor backward/forward one word.

Home/End

Move cursor to beginning/end of line.

Up/down arrow

Scroll up (and back) through list of stored commands (called the Command Buffer or History). Each press of the up key recalls the previous command and displays it on the command line.

Page Up/Down

Recall oldest/most recent command in buffer.

Insert

Toggle insert/overtype mode (block cursor implies overtype mode).

Esc

Erase current line.

F1

Repeat text typed in preceding line, one character at a time.

F2 + key

Repeat text typed in preceding line, up to first character matching key.

F3

Repeat text typed in preceding line.

F5

Change the template for F1, F2, and F3 (described earlier) so that earlier commands are used as the template; press F5 repeatedly to cycle through the entire command buffer.

F6

Place an end-of-file character (^Z) at current position of command line.

F7

Show all entries in Command Buffer (History).

Alt-F7

Clear all entries in Command Buffer (History).

chars + F8

Entering one or more characters chars followed by F8 will display the most recent entry in the Command Buffer beginning with chars. Pressing F8 again will display the next most recent matching command, and so on. If no characters are specified, F8 simply cycles through existing commands in buffer.

F9 + command#

Display designated command on command line; use F7 to obtain numbers.

Ctrl-C

Interrupt the output of most Command Prompt applications.


2.3.2. Keyboard Accelerators Listed by Function

Table 2-8 lists keys that operate in most contextsin other words, on the Desktop, in the Explorer, and within most applications and dialogs. Functions are listed alphabetically, except where a logical order might make more sense.

Note also that there is essentially a limitless combination of keystrokes that you can use to activate any particular feature in a given application, all of which you can form by combining the various keystrokes listed in this chapter. For example, you can press Alt-F to open an application's File menu, then press P to Print, then press Enter to begin printing. Or press Ctrl-Esc to open the Start menu, Alt-Enter to open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, Ctrl-Tab to open the Taskbar tab (if necessary), and Alt-L to lock (or unlock) the Taskbar.

Table 2-8. Keyboard accelerators listed by function

Key(s)

Action

Space bar

Checkbox, toggle on or off

Ctrl-C

Clipboard, copy

Alt-PrintScreen

Clipboard, copy current window as a bitmap

PrintScreen

Clipboard, copy entire screen as a bitmap

Ctrl-X

Clipboard, cut

Ctrl-V

Clipboard, paste

Ctrl-F4

Close current document

Alt-F4

Close current window

Esc

Close dialog box, message window, or menu

Space bar

Command button, click

Shift-F10, or context menu key on some keyboards

Context menu, open

Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Controls cycle focus on a dialog box

Ctrl-C

Copy selected item or selected text to the Clipboard

Ctrl-X

Cut selected item or selected text to the Clipboard

Windows Logo Key-B, Space bar

Puts you in the notification area (Windows Logo Key-B), then reveals hidden icons (Space bar)

Shift-Delete or Shift-drag item to Recycle Bin

Delete a file without putting it in the Recycle Bin

Delete

Delete selected item

Ctrl-Esc (or Windows Logo Key), then Esc, Tab, Tab, Tab

Desktop, activate

Windows Logo Key-D, or click empty portion of Taskbar and press Alt-M

Desktop, activate by minimizing all windows

Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Dialog box, cycle through controls

Ctrl-Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Dialog box, cycle through tabs

Ctrl-F4

Document, close

Ctrl-Home

Document, move to the beginning

Ctrl-End

Document, move to the end

Ctrl-F6 or Ctrl-Tab

Document, switch between

Down Arrow or F4

Drop-down listbox, open

Alt-F4

Exit an application

Ctrl-Esc, then Alt-F4

Exit Windows

Shift-Delete

File, delete without moving to Recycle Bin

Windows Logo Key-F (or F3 or Ctrl-F in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop)

File, search

Ctrl-Windows Logo Key-F

Find a computer on your network

Windows Logo Key-F (or F3 or Ctrl-F in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop)

Find files or folders

Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Focus, move among controls on a dialog box

Shift-click Close button

Folder, close current and all parents (Windows Explorer in single-folder view only)

Right and left arrows

Folder, expand and collapse folders in tree

Shift-double-click

Folder, open in two-pane Explorer view

Windows Logo Key-F (or F3 or Ctrl-F in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop)

Folder, search

F1

Help (in most applications)

Down arrow or F4

Listbox, drop-down

Ctrl-click

Listbox, select multiple items

Ctrl-Space bar

Listbox, select or deselect items

Windows Logo Key-L (or press Ctrl-Alt-Delete and then Space bar)

Lock computer

Alt-x if menu doesn't have focus, x by itself if menu has focus

Menu, activate specific item with letter x underlined

Arrow keys

Menu, basic navigation

Esc

Menu, close

F10 or Alt (by itself)

Menu, move focus to

Shift-F10, or context menu key on some keyboards

Menu, open context menu

Windows Logo Key-D, or click empty portion of Taskbar and press Alt-M

Minimize all windows and move focus to Desktop

Windows Logo Key-M (hold Shift to undo)

Minimize current window

F6

Panes, move focus between

Backspace

Parent folder, move to (in Windows Explorer)

Ctrl-V

Paste the contents of the Clipboard

Alt-double-click, or select and then press Alt-Enter

Properties, display for an icon

F5

Refresh (in Windows Explorer, on the Desktop, and some other applications)

F2

Rename selected icon or file in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop

Windows Logo Key-R

Run

Alt-PrintScreen

Screenshot, copy current window as a bitmap to the Clipboard

PrintScreen

Screenshot, copy entire screen as a bitmap to the Clipboard

Page Down

Scroll down one screen

Page Up

Scroll up one screen

Ctrl-arrow key

Scroll without moving selection

Windows Logo Key-F

Search for files or folders

F3 or Ctrl-F

Search for files or folders (in Windows Explorer or on the Desktop only)

Ctrl-A

Select all

Alt-drag file

Shortcut, create

Windows Logo Key or Ctrl-Esc

Start menu, open

Alt-Tab or Ctrl-Esc (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Switch to next application

Ctrl-F6 or Ctrl-Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Switch to next document window

Alt-hyphen

System menu, show for current document

Alt-Space bar

System menu, show for current window

Windows Logo Key-Pause/Break

System Properties, open

Ctrl-Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Tabs, switch between tabs

Shift-Ctrl-Esc (or press Ctrl-Alt-Delete and click Task Manager)

Task Manager, open

Ctrl-Esc, then Alt-Enter

Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, open

Windows Logo Key-Tab

Launches Flip 3D

Ctrl-Z

Undo

Alt-Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Window, activate next

Alt-F4

Window, close

Alt-Esc

Window, drop to bottom of pile

Windows Logo Key-M (hold Shift to undo)

Window, minimize

Windows Logo Key-D (hold Shift to undo)

Window, minimize all

Alt-Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Window, switch to

Windows Logo Key-E

Windows Explorer, open

F6

Windows Explorer, switch between panes




Windows Vista Pocket Reference
Windows Vista Pocket Reference: A Compact Guide to Windows Vista (Pocket Guides)
ISBN: 0596528086
EAN: 2147483647
Year: N/A
Pages: 63

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