Software & internet

Getting used to using your keyboard exclusively and leaving your mouse behind will make you much more efficient at performing any task on any Windows system.

If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts :

Keyboard Shortcuts

1. WIN Key
   Display or hide the Start menu.
2. [Alt] and [Esc]
   Switch between running applications
3. [Alt] and letter
   Select menu item by underlined letter
4. [Ctrl] and [Esc]
   Open Program Menu
5. [Ctrl] and [F4]
   Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)
   
6. [Alt] and [F4]
   Quit active application or close current window
7. [Alt] and [-]
   Open Control menu for active document
8. [Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow
   Move cursor forward or back one word
9. [Ctrl] Up, Down arrow
   Move cursor forward or back one paragraph
10. [F1]
    Open Help for active application
11. WIN key + [M]
    Minimize all open windows
12. [Shift] + WIN key + [M]
    Undo minimize all open windows
13. WIN key + [F1]
    Open Windows Help
14. WIN key + [Tab]
    Cycle through the Taskbar buttons
15. WIN key + [Break]
    Open the System Properties dialog box
16. WIN Key+ [D]
    Show the desktop.
17. WIN Key+ [E]
    Open My Computer.
18. WIN Key+ [F]
    Search for a file or folder.
19. WIN Key+ [R]
    Open the Run dialog box.
20. [Ctrl] + WIN Key + [F]
    Search for computers.
21. WIN Key+ [L]
    Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain.

Acessability Shortcuts

1. Right [Shift] for eight seconds
   Switch FilterKeys on and off.
2. Left [Alt] + left [Shift] + [Prt Scr]
   Switch High Contrast on and off.
3. Left [Alt] +left [Shift] +[Num Lock]
   Switch MouseKeys on and off.
4. [Shift] five times
   Switch StickyKeys on and off.
5. Num Lock for five seconds
   Switch ToggleKeys on and off.
6. WIN Key + [U]
   Open Utility Manager

Explorer shortcuts

1. [End]
   Display the bottom of the active window.
2. [Home]
   Display the top of the active window.
3. Num Lock + [*]
   Display all subfolders under the selected folder.
4. Num Lock + [+]
   Display the contents of the selected folder.
5. Num Lock + [-]
   Collapse the selected folder.
6. [LEFT ARROW]
   Collapse current selection if it’s expanded, or select parent folder.
7. [RIGHT ARROW]
   Display current selection if it’s collapsed, or select first subfolder.
8. [Shift] + [Delete]
   Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
9. [Ctrl] + [C]
   Copy.
10. [Ctrl] + [X]
    Cut.
11. [Ctrl] + [V]
    Paste.
12. [Ctrl] + [Z]
    Undo.
13. [Delete]
    Delete.
14. [Ctrl] + [A]
    Select all.
15. [Ctrl] + [Shift] with any of the arrow keys
    Highlight a block of text.
16. [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.
17. [F3]
    Search for a file or folder.
18. [Alt] + [Enter]
    View properties for the selected item.
19. [Alt] + [F4]
    Close the active item, or quit the active program.
20. [Alt] + [SPACEBAR]
    Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.
21. [Ctrl] + [F4]
    Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
22. [Alt] + [Tab]
    Switch between open items.
23. [Alt] + [Esc]
    Cycle through items in the order they were opened.
24. [F6]
    Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
25. [F4]
    Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
26. [Shift] + [F10]
    Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
27. [Alt] + [SPACEBAR]
    Display the System menu for the active window.
28. [Ctrl] + [Esc]
    Display the Start menu.
29. [Alt] + Underlined letter in a menu name
    Display the corresponding menu.
30. [Esc]
    Cancel the current task.

Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run

1. devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
2. msinfo32 = System Information
3. cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
4. ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
5. mmc = Microsoft Management Console
6. excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
7. msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
8. powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
9. winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
10. frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
11. notepad = Notepad
12. wordpad = WordPad
13. calc = Calculator
14. msmsgs = Windows Messenger
15. mspaint = Microsoft Paint
16. wmplayer = Windows Media Player
17. rstrui = System Restore
18. netscp6 = Netscape 6.x
19. netscp = Netscape 7.x
20. netscape = Netscape 4.x
21. waol = America Online
22. control = Opens the Control Panel
23. control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog