Windows Key:
The Windows key is located between the CTL & ALT keys. A "windows" keyboard is required to apply this shortcuts.
Hold down the "windows" key and press:
M - Minimizes all windows
SHIFT - M - Undo minimize all windows
E - Opens Windows Explorer
D - Switches between minimizing all open programs and showing them all.
F - Opens the Find Window
R - Opens the Run Window
BREAK / PAUSE- Opens System Properties
TAB - Cycles through items on the task bar
Or you can just press the "Windows" key to open the Start menu.
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General Shortcuts:
ALT- F4 - Quit a program / Shut down
ALT-TAB - Hold down the ALT key and hit tab to cycle through open windows.
CTL-ESCAPE - Display the Start menu
SHIFT - TAB - tab backwards through a form
CTRL - X - Cut
CTRL - C - Copy
CTRL - V - Paste
F1 - Help menu
CTRL - Z - Undo
SHIFT & Restart - To restart just windows and not your whole computer, hold down the shift key when you click the OK button on the restart screen. Saves lots of time.
CRTL-TAB - Navigate tabs on a tabbed screen
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File & Desktop Shortcuts:
Hold SHIFT while inserting a CD - Prevents the CD from "autorunning"
If an item is selected:
CTRL while dragging a file - Copies the file
CTRL - SHIFT while dragging a file - Creates a shortcut to the file
SHIFT - DELETE - Deletes an item without sending it to the recycle bin.
ALT-ENTER - Display a file's properties.
F2 - To rename the file
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In Windows Explorer:
LEFT ARROW - Collapse the current selection if it is expanded
NUM LOCK-MINUS SIGN (-) - Collapse the selected folder
RIGHT ARROW - Expand the current selection if it is collapsed -Or- Select the first subfolder
NUM LOCK- * Expand all folders below the current selection
NUM LOCK- PLUS SIGN (+) - Expand the selected folder
F6 - Switch between left and right panes
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In My Computer:
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up
ALT- RIGHT ARROW - Move forward to a previous view
ALT- LEFT ARROW -Move backward to a previous view