Welcome and happy Monday to everyone. Today’s Windows Tip is one I’ve wanted to put together for a LONG time. I’ve found that keyboard shortcuts are such a great way to get around when doing your daily computer work. Well without further ado, here’s a list I’ve compiled of all the shorcuts that I know of; These should work on all MS Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP/2003 32/64-bit OSes, MS Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6/7 (and newer) releases + MS Windows 16/32/64-bit applications/programs. Note that most are available system wide, but some may work ONLY with specific MS OSes and/or particular applications/programs.

NOTE: User assigned custom keyboard shortcuts for Desktop/Startup Menu/Taskbar items/links/shortcuts/toolbars may take precedence over (override) default system/software assigned “hot” key(s) combinations!

Hold SHIFT = Do NOT Autorun CD/DVD or launch
Hold SHIFT + Arrow keys = Select multiple contiguous items (Explorer)
SHIFT + Right-click = Show Open With on Context menu (Desktop + Explorer)
SHIFT + Double-click = Open selected URL in new window (MS IE)
SHIFT + Close button (upper right corner X) = Close all open windows
SHIFT + DEL = Permanent DELETE (bypass Recycle Bin!) selected file(s)/folder(s)/shortcut(s)/link(s) (Desktop, Explorer + MS IE) or cut selected/highlighted text/image (editing) (same as CTRL + X)
SHIFT + Insert = Paste saved text/image from Clipboard memory (editing) (same as CTRL + V)
SHIFT + FIRST letter = Cycle through and select available drive/folder (Explorer)
SHIFT + F10 = Select right-click Context Menu for selected drive/file/folder/shortcut/link (Explorer + MS IE)
F1 = Open Help Menu
F2 = rename selected/highlighted Desktop/Start Menu shortcut or file(s)/folder(s) (Explorer)
F3 = Find files(s) (Explorer) or text string (editing) (same as CTRL + F) or open Search window (Explorer + MS IE) (same as CTRL + E)
F4 = Open Desktop/drive/folder (Explorer) or Go To URL address (MS IE) command line box/history list
F5 = Refresh/update selected/highlighted display/screen (Desktop, Explorer + File Manager) or reload current URL (MS IE) (same as CTRL + R)
F6 = Cycle forward among drives/folders/files/items (Desktop, Explorer + File Manager) or links/pages/frames (MS IE) (same as ALT + D)
F10 = Menu mode
F11 = Toggle between full screen without Menu (kiosk mode) and windowed screen with Menu (MS IE)
ESC = Cancel/stop current action or close foreground (active) application/window (if supported)
HOME = Go to top of current file/folder/item/shortcut/link (Desktop, Dialog box, Explorer + File Manager) or web/ftp page (MS IE)
END = Go to bottom of current file/folder/item/shortcut/link (Desktop, Dialog box, Explorer + File Manager) or web/ftp page (MS IE)
DEL = Delete selected/highlighted file(s)/folder(s)/shortcut(s)/link(s) (Explorer, File Manager + MS IE)
ENTER = Run/open selected/highlighted application/executable/shortcut/link (Desktop, Start Menu, Explorer, File Manager + MS IE)
SHIFT or Page Up = Scroll up one screen/page at a time (Explorer + MS IE)
SPACE or Page Down = Scroll down one screen/page at a time (Explorer + MS IE)
BACK Space = Go up (backwards) one level (Explorer + File Manager) or back to previous web/ftp page (MS IE)
TAB = Cycle backwards among drives/partitions/folders/files/items (Desktop, Explorer + File Manager) or links/pages/frames (MS IE)
FIRST letter = Select/access file/folder/item/shortcut/link (Desktop, Dialog box, Explorer + File Manager)
Hold CTRL = Do NOT Autorun CD/DVD or launch Startup folder shortcut(s)/executable(s) (Windows startup or insert CD/DVD) or move instead of copy selected file(s)/folder(s) while dragging it/them or close parent folder(s) while closing selected subfolder (Explorer, MS IE + File Manager) (same as hold SHIFT)
Hold CTRL + Left-click + Right-click + Close button = Close all selected (depressed buttons) open windows (Taskbar)
Hold CTRL + Arrow keys (or SPACE) = Select multiple noncontiguous items (Explorer)
Hold CTRL + SHIFT = Create shortcut while dragging file/folder/shortcut (Desktop + Explorer)
CTRL + SHIFT + B = Open Address Book (MS OE)
CTRL + SHIFT + M = Download all messages (MS OE)
CTRL + SHIFT + R = Reply to author of selected message(s) (MS OE)
CTRL + Insert = Copy selected/highlighted file(s)/folder(s) (Explorer) or text/image to Clipboard memory (editing) (same as CTRL + C)
CTRL + Left-click = Show Open With on Context menu (Desktop + Explorer)
CTRL + TAB = Cycle forward among pages/tabs/items (Dialog box + Explorer) or links/pages/frames (MS IE)
CTRL + SHIFT + TAB = Cycle backwards among pages/tabs/items (Dialog box + Explorer) or links/pages/frames (MS IE)
CTRL + A = Select all files/folders (Explorer) or text/image (editing)
CTRL + B = Open Organize Favorites (Explorer + MS IE) (same as Ctrl + I)
CTRL + C = Copy selected/highlighted file(s)/folder(s) (Explorer) or text/image to Clipboard memory (editing) (same as CTRL + Insert)
CTRL + D = Delete selected/highlighted file(s)/folder(s) (Explorer) (same as DEL) or add to Favorites (bookmark) current URL (MS IE)
CTRL + E = Open Search window (Explorer + MS IE) (same as F3)
CTRL + F = Find files(s) (Explorer + MS IE) or text string (editing) or forwards selected message (MS OE) (same as F3)
CTRL + G = Go To URL box (MS IE)
CTRL + H = Open History folder (Explorer + MS IE) or select/access installed local/remote drive/partition (File Manager)
CTRL + I = Organize Favorites (Explorer + MS IE) or selects Inbox (MS OE) (same as Ctrl + B)
CTRL + L = Open Location dialog box (Explorer + MS IE) or toggles Folders view on/off (MS OE) (same as Ctrl + O)
CTRL + N = Open new browser window (MS IE) or compose new message (MS OE)
CTRL + O = Open Location dialog box (Explorer + MS IE) (same as Ctrl + L)
CTRL + P = Print current file or selected/highlighted screen/image/text (editing) or web/ftp page (MS IE)
CTRL + Q = Mark selected header(s) as read (MS OE)
CTRL + R = Refresh/update selected/highlighted display/screen (Desktop, Explorer + File Manager) or reload current URL (MS IE) or reply to selected message (MS OE) (same as F5)
CTRL + S = Save current file/image/text (editing) or web/ftp page (MS IE)
CTRL + V = Paste saved text/image from Clipboard memory (editing) (same as SHIFT + Insert)
CTRL + W = Close foreground (active) application/window (Desktop + Taskbar) (same as ALT + F4)
CTRL + X = Cut selected/highlighted text/image (editing) (same as SHIFT + DEL)
CTRL + Z = Undo last Copy/Cut/Paste action (editing) (same as ALT + Backspace)
CTRL + ENTER = Go to incompletely typed URL in MS IE Go To URL box (valid ONLY for www.?.com URLs)
CTRL + ESC = Display Start Menu or select Start Menu option or minimize all open windows (same as ALT + M)
CTRL + DRIVE letter = Select/access installed local/remote drive/partition (File Manager)
CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + F4 = Close all open windows
Hold ALT = Disable right-click Context Shell (drop down) Menu (Desktop, Explorer, MS IE + Taskbar)
ALT = Toggle bottom Status Bar on/off (Explorer + File Manager)
ALT + FIRST letter = Select tab/button/item/menu (Desktop, Dialog box, Explorer, File Manager + MS IE)
ALT + D = Cycle forward among drives/folders/files/items (Desktop, Explorer + File Manager) or links/pages/frames (MS IE) (same as F6)
ALT + M = Display Start Menu or select Start Menu option or minimize all open windows (same as CTRL + ESC)
ALT + ENTER = Open selected drive/file/folder/shortcut/link Properties (Explorer + File Manager) [same as ALT + Left-click or ALT + (Double)-click]
ALT + Left-click = Open selected drive/file/folder/shortcut/link Properties (Explorer + File Manager) (same as ALT + ENTER)
ALT + (Double)-click = Open selected drive/file/folder/shortcut/link Properties (Explorer + File Manager) (same as ALT + ENTER)
ALT + LEFT Arrow = Go Back to previous URL (MS IE)
ALT + RIGHT Arrow = Go Forward to previous URL (MS IE)
ALT + F4 = Close foreground (active) application/window (Desktop + Taskbar) (same as CTRL + W) or shut down/power off Windows
ALT + ESC = Cycle forward through ALL open (top level) windows (Desktop + Taskbar)
ALT + SHIFT + ESC = Cycle backwards through ALL open (top level) windows (Desktop + Taskbar)
ALT + TAB = Select next foreground (active) application/window (Desktop + Taskbar)
ALT + Backspace = Undo last Copy/Cut/Paste action (editing) (same as CTRL + Z)
+ or * [Numeric Pad only] = expand selected folder tree (if it contains any subfolders) (Explorer, File Manager + MS IE)
- [Numeric Pad only] = collapse selected folder tree (if it contains any subfolders) (Explorer, File Manager + MS IE).

Here is a list of useful WinKey (MS Windows logo keys) shortcuts.
Note that some may not be available, and/or some may take different actions, depending on specific MS Windows 32/64-bit (Win32/Win64) OS builds and/or installed software:

[WINKEY] = Open Start Menu
+ D = Maximize (restore) or minimize all open windows or open Desktop menu [Win98/2000/ME/XP/2003 only]
+ E = Start Windows Explorer
+ F = Start Find Files/Folders dialog box
+ L = Start Welcome screen [WinXP + Fast User Switch XP Power Toy only] or Lockup Workstation [Win2000/XP/2003 only]
+ M = Minimize or maximize (restore) all open windows
+ R = Start Run dialog box
+ F1 = Start Help Menu and Support Center [Win98/2000/ME/XP/2003 only]
+ Tab = Cycle and select (press Enter) through all open apps/games Taskbar buttons
+ Ctrl + Tab = Cycle through all open apps/games Taskbar buttons, Tray icons, Start Menu and Quick Launch toolbars (press Right or Left arrows to cycle through Toolbar and Tray items)
+ Pause/Break = Start Systems Properties Control Panel applet
+ Ctrl + F = Start Find Computer dialog box
+ Shift + M = Undo Minimize (restore) all open windows
+ L + Enter = Logoff Windows [Win98/ME only] or Lockup Workstation [Win2000/XP/2003 only]
+ Q = Cycle and select (press Enter) through all users [Win2000/XP/2003 only] or Fast User Switch [WinXP + Fast User Switch XP Power Toy only]
+ U = Start Utility Manager [Win2000/XP/2003 only]
+ U + R + Enter = Restart Windows [Win95/98/ME only]
+ U + S + Enter = Shut down Windows [Win95/98/ME only]
+ Space = Scroll down one page at a time (same as Page Down) in any web browser
+ Back Space = Scroll up one page at a time (same as Page Up) in any web browser

BONUS: If you own a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or similar, and have installed Microsoft IntelliType Software, you can also do this:

+ A = Start Accessibility Options Control Panel applet (if installed)
+ C = Start Control Panel
+ I = Start Mouse Properties Control Panel applet
+ K = Start Keyboard Properties Control Panel applet
+ L = Logoff Windows
+ P = Start Print Manager
+ S = Toggle Caps Lock ON or OFF
+ V = Start Clipboard
+ Space = Display Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys list.

If anyone has any more keyboard shortcuts they’d like added to this list, I’d be glad to, either email me or post in the forums, peace out-

-b