IT Accessibility
Keystroke shortcuts for Windows XP
Some keyboard shortcuts may not work if StickyKeys is turned on in Accessibility Options.
If you are connected to Windows through Microsoft Terminal Services Client, some shortcuts have changed. For more information, see Microsoft's online documentation for Terminal Services Client.
General
| Use this key: | To do this: |
|---|---|
| F1 | Get help. |
| F3 | Find file or folder |
| Windows key or CTRL+Esc | Open the Start menu. |
| Windows key+E | Open Windows Explorer. |
| Windows key+R | Open Run dialoge. |
| Windows key+M | Minimise all applications. |
| Windows key+M | Minimise all applications. |
| Alt+TAB | Switch between applications. |
| Alt+F4 | Close current application. |
| 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 while dragging an item | Copy selected item. |
| CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item | Create shortcut to selected item. |
| F2 | Rename selected item. |
| CTRL+RIGHT ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. |
| CTRL+LEFT ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. |
| CTRL+DOWN ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. |
| CTRL+UP ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. |
| CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys | Highlight a block of text. |
| 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. |
| CTRL+A | Select all. |
| ALT+ENTER | View properties for the selected item. |
| ALT+F4 | Close the active item, or quit the active program. |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Opens 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. |
| ALT+ESC | Cycle through items in the order they were opened. |
| F4 | Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. |
| F5 | Refresh the active window. |
| F6 | Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. |
| SHIFT+F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Display the System menu for the active window. |
| CTRL+ESC | Display the Start menu. |
| ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name | Display the corresponding menu. |
| Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu | Carry out the corresponding 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. |
| BACKSPACE | View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. |
| ESC | Cancel the current task. |
| SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive | Prevent the CD from automatically playing. |
For Windows and Menus
| Use this key: | To do this: |
|---|---|
| Alt+Space | Open the application control menu. |
| Alt | Move to the menu bar. |
| Arrow keys | Move between menus. |
| ENTER | Choose a menu item. |
| Esc | Cancel or close a cacading menu, returning to the menu bar or move from the menu bar. |
| Alt | Move from the menu bar or a cascading menu. |
| Ctrl+F4 | Close a child window. |
| Shift+F10 or Applications pop-up menu key (immediately to the left of the right-hand one of the two Ctrl keys). | Open the application pop-up menu. |
For Dialogue boxes
| Use this key: | To do this: |
|---|---|
| TAB | Move through dialogue controls. |
| Shift+TAB | Move back through dialogue controls. |
| Ctrl+TAB | Move to another page. |
| Ctrl+Shift+TAB | Move back to another page. |
| Space or Ctrl+Space | Select or deselect in list. |
| Space | Toggle a check-box on or off. |
| ALT+Underlined letter | Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. |
| ENTER | Carry out the command for the active option or button. |
| 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. |
For Windows Explorer
| Use this key: | To do this: |
|---|---|
| DELETE | Delete files (send to Recycle Bin). |
| Shift+DELETE | Delete files permanently. |
| F2 | Rename a file or folder |
| Alt+ENTER | Properties for selected file or folder. |
| F5 | Refresh window. |
| F6 or TAB | Switch between windows. |
| BACKSPACE | Go up one level. |
| END | Display the bottom of the active window. |
| HOME | Display the top of the active window. |
| 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 current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. |
| RIGHT ARROW | Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. |
For Editing Text
| Use this key: | To do this: |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+C | Copy. |
| Ctrl+X | Cut. |
| Ctrl+V | Paste. |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo. |
| DELETE | Delete current character. |
| Backspace | Delete prior character. |
| Shift+Left arrow | Select one character left. |
| Shift+Right arrow | Select one character right. |
| Ctrl+Shift+Left arrow | Select one word left. |
| Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow | Select one word right. |
| Shift+Home | Select to beginning of line. |
| Shift+End | Select to end of line. |
| Ctrl+Shift+Home | Select to beginning. |
| Ctrl+Shift+End | Select to end. |
| Ctrl+A | Select all. |
Natural Keyboard (Windows Key) Shortcuts
You can use the following keyboard shortcuts with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key WINKEY and the Application pop-up menu key MENU.
| Use this key: | To do this: |
|---|---|
| WINKEY | Display or hide the Start menu. |
| WINKEY+BREAK | Display the System Properties dialog box. |
| WINKEY+D | Show the desktop. |
| WINKEY+M | Minimize all windows. |
| WINKEY+Shift+M | Restores minimized windows. |
| WINKEY+E | Open My Computer. |
| WINKEY+F | Search for a file or folder. |
| CTRL+WINKEY+F | Search for computers. |
| WINKEY+F1 | Display Windows Help. |
| WINKEY+L | Lock your computer. |
| WINKEY+R | Open the Run dialog box. |
| MENU | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. |
| WINKEY+U | Open Utility Manager. |
Accessibility Shortcuts
| Use this key: | To do this: |
|---|---|
| Right SHIFT for eight seconds | Switch FilterKeys on and off. |
| Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN | Switch High Contrast on and off. |
| Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK | Switch MouseKeys on and off. |
| SHIFT five times | Switch StickyKeys on and off. |
| NUM LOCK for five seconds | Switch ToggleKeys on and off. |
| WINKEY+U | Open Utility Manager. |
Turning on StickyKeys
StickyKeys is designed for people who have difficulty holding down two or more keys simultaneously. When a shortcut requires a key combination, such as CTRL+P, StickyKeys will enable you to press a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key (WINKEY), and have it remain active until another key is pressed.
-
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
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On the Keyboard tab, under StickyKeys, select the Use StickyKeys check box.
To turn off StickyKeys, clear the Use StickyKeys check box.
If the Use shortcut check box in the Settings for StickyKeys dialog box is selected, you can turn StickyKeys on or off by pressing the SHIFT key five times.