Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major windows shortcut keys for every version of Microsoft Windows. If you are looking for shortcut for specific Windows programs, see our other computer keyboard shortcuts.

General Windows keyboard shortcut

Alt + tab

Switch between open application in all versions of windows. Reverse the direction by pressing Alt + Shift + Tab at the same time.

Ctrl + Tab

Switches between program groups, tabs, or document windows in applications that support this feature. Reverse the directory by pressing Ctrl + Shift + tab at the same time.

Alt + double-Click

Display the properties of the object you double-click on in windows 95 and later. for example, doing this on a file would display its properties.

Ctrl + shift + Esc

Immediately bring up the windows task manager in windows 2000 and later

Ctrl + Esc

Open the windows Start menu in most version of windows. In windows 8 this opens the start menu and in windows 3.x this would bring up the task manager.

Alt + Esc

Switch between open application on task-bar in windows 95 and later.  

Atl + Space bar

Drops down the window control menu for the currently open windows program in windows 95 and later.

Alt + Enter

Open properties windows of selected icon or program in windows 95 and later.

Alt + Print Screen

Create a screen shot only for the active program window in all versions of windows. for example, if you opened the calculator and did this only the calculator window would be create as a screen shot. If just the Print Scree key is pressed the whole screen will be made into a screen shot.

Ctrl + Alt +Del

Open the windows option screen for locking computer, switching user, task manager etc. in later version of wndows. Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del multiple times will reboot the coputer.

Shift + Del

will delete any file or other object without throwing it into the Recycle in windows 95 and later.

Hold down the shift key

When putting in an audio or data CD that uses Autoplay, Holding down the sift key will prevent that CD from playing.