Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
I like to figure out the fastest way to do things. I hope these things will help you become the power user that lies within. These keystrokes have been tested on Windows XP Professional. Some may not work on older systems (although most do). Please note that Ctrl is short for the Control key.
Desktop/Windows Explorer Shortcuts
| Action/Explanation |  Keystroke |
| Rename Selected File | F2 |
| Delete Item without moving to Recycle Bin | Shift–Delete |
| Search for Files or Folders | F3 |
| Drop down the Address/Location Menu | F4 |
| View the folder one level up | Backspace |
| View Selected Item’s Properties | Alt–Enter |
| Keyboard equivalent to Right-Clicking with a mouse | Shift–F10 |
| Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop | F6 |
Windows Explorer Tree View
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Expand everything under current selection | * (on keypad) |
| Expand current selection | + (on keypad) |
| Collapse current selection | – (on keypad) |
| Expand current selection (or go to first child item) | Right arrow |
| Collapse current selection (or go to parent item) | Left arrow |
| NOTE: If keypad keystrokes do not work turn Num lock on and try again. | |
Internet Explorer Shortcuts
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Go to website without having to type in http://www or .com |
Enter only name of website (like yahoo) and press Ctrl–Enter |
| Highlight Address line (to enter new website) | F6 (or Alt–D) |
| Refresh webpage | F5 or Ctrl–R |
| Refresh the Webpage bypassing the browser’s cache | Ctrl–Refresh |
Uses for Windows System Key
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Open Windows Explorer | Windows Key–E |
| Search for Files or Folders | Windows Key–F |
| Search for Computers | Windows Key–Ctrl–F |
| Minimize all windows and show Desktop | Windows Key–D (press again to re-open windows and go back) |
| Minimize all open windows | Windows Key–M (Windows Key–Shift–M will undo) |
| Open Run Command | Windows Key–R |
| Cycle through taskbar buttons | Windows Key–Tab (press Spacebar or Enter to choose selected item) |
| Open System Properties dialog box | Windows Key–Pause/Break |
| Open Utility Manager | Windows Key–U |
| Lock Computer/Switch Users (Windows XP only) |
Windows Key–L |
Working with Windows/Programs
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Highlight First Menubar Item (that typically is the File menu) |
F10 (you can then use arrows or letters to navigate) |
| Switch Windows/Programs | Alt–Tab (hold Alt, keep hitting Tab and release all keys to switch) |
| Switch to Next Document Window | Ctrl–F6 |
| Switch to Previous Document Window | Ctrl–Shift–F6 |
| Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop | F6 |
| Opens the shortcut menu for the active window | Alt–Spacebar |
| Close Current Window | Ctrl–F4 (sometimes Ctrl–W also works) |
| Close Program | Alt–F4 (sometimes Ctrl–Q also works) |
Open/Save Dialog Boxes
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Drop down the Location Menu (depending on cursor placement, may also open other menus like the File Name menu) | F4 |
| Refresh View | F5 |
| Go to parent folder (if focus is on view window) | Backspace |
Taking Screenshots (Copy Screen to Clipboard)
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Capture Entire Screen | Print Screen |
| Capture Frontmost Window Only | Alt–Print Screen |
| To use the screen capture: Go to your desired program (such as Photoshop) and Paste it into a document. | |
Shutdown/Startup Commands
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Shut Down Windows XP | Press Windows Key (don’t hold it down) Then press U two times |
| Shut Down Windows 2000 | Press Windows Key (don’t hold it down) Press U Press S (To choose Shut Down from menu) Press Enter |
| Start Up in Safe Mode | Start computer and press F8 at appropriate time. Choose Safe Mode. |
| Force Windows to Detect New Monitors (great for laptops!) | F8 (haven’t been able to test myself) |
Miscellaneous
| Action/Explanation | Keystroke |
| Start Windows Help | F1 |
| Bypass auto-run when inserting CD | Hold Shift while inserting CD |
| Open the Start Menu | Ctrl–Esc (or Windows Key) |
kaloo!!!