Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Windows as well as the versions of Microsoft Windows they're supported in.
Shortcut Keys
3.x
95
98
ME
NT
2000
XP
Vista
Description
Alt + Tab
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Switch between open applications.
Alt + Shift + Tab
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Switch backwards between open applications.
Alt + double-click
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.
Ctrl + Tab
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Same as above but backwards.
Alt + Print Screen
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.
Ctrl + Alt + Del
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.
Ctrl + Esc
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.
Shortcut Keys
3.x
95
98
ME
NT
2000
XP
Vista
Description
Alt + Esc
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Switch Between open applications on taskbar.
F1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Activates help for current open application.
F2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Renames selected Icon.
F3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Starts find from desktop.
F4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Opens the drive selection when browsing.
F5
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Refresh Contents to where you were on the page.
Ctrl + F5
X
Refreshes page to the beginning of the page.
F10
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Activates menu bar.
Alt + F4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Closes Current open program.
Ctrl + F4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Closes Window in Program.
F6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane.
Alt + Space bar
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Drops down the window control menu.
Ctrl + (the '+' key on the keypad)
X
X
X
X
X
X
Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer
Shortcut Keys
3.x
95
98
ME
NT
2000
XP
Vista
Description
Alt + Enter
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Opens properties window of selected icon or program.
Alt + Space bar
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Open the control menu for the current window open.
Shift + Del
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin.
Holding Shift
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting.
Holding Shift
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.
Enter
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Activates the highlighted program.
Alt + Down arrow
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Display all available options on drop down menu.
* (on the keypad)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer.
+ (on the keypad)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
- (on the keypad)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.