Important Keyboard Shortcuts in XP to make computing Faster

When speed counts, the keyboard is still king. Almost all the actions and commands you can perform with a mouse can also be performed faster using combinations of keys on your keyboard. You'll work faster on spreadsheets and similar documents, too, because you won't lose your place switching back and forth between mouse and keys. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts:

Copy=CTRL+C

Cut=CTRL+X

Paste=CTRL+V

Undo=CTRL+Z

Delete=DELETE

Delete selected files permanently without placing them in the Recycle Bin=SHIFT+DELETE

Copy selected item=CTRL while dragging an item

Create shortcut to selected item=CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item

Rename selected item=F2

Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word=CTRL+RIGHT ARROW

Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word=CTRL+LEFT ARROW

Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph=CTRL+DOWN ARROW

Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph=CTRL+UP ARROW

Highlight a block of text=SHIFT+any of the arrow keys

Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document=SHIFT+any of the

arrow keys

Select all=CTRL+A

Search for a file or folder=F3 or windows key+F

View properties for the selected item=ALT+ENTER

Close the active item, or quit the active program=ALT+F4

Opens the shortcut menu for the active window=ALT+SPACEBAR

Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents opened simultaneously=CTRL+F4

Switch between open programs=ALT+TAB

Cycle through items in the order they were opened=ALT+ESC

Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop=F6

Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer=F4

Display the shortcut menu for the selected item=SHIFT+F10

Display the System menu for the active window=ALT+SPACEBAR

Display the Start menu=CTRL+ESC or windows key

Display the corresponding menu=ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name.

Carry out the corresponding command=Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu

Activate the menu bar in the active program=F10

Refresh the active

window=F5

View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer=BACKSPACE

Cancel the current task=ESC

Prevent the CD from automatically playing=SHIFT immediately after insertion of CD

Switch between tabs=CTRL+TAB

Switch between buttons, checkboxes etc=TAB

Select or clear the check boxes or buttons selected=SPACEBAR

Display Help=F1

Display the items in the active list=F4

Open a folder one level

up if a folder is selected

in the Save As or Open

dialog box. BACKSPACE





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:

Display or hide the Start menu=press windows logo key once



From here onwards, the letter WL will be used instead of windows logo key.

Display the System Properties dialog box=WL+BREAK

Show the desktop=WL+D

Minimize all windows=WL+M

Restores minimized windows=WL+Shift+M

Open My Computer=WL+E

Search for a file or folder=WL+F

Search for computers=CTRL+WL+F

Display Windows Help=WL+F1

Open the Run dialog box=WL+R

Open Utility Manager=WL+U



Display all subfolders under the selected folder=NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)

Display the contents of the selected folder=NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)