tips Keyboard Shortcut Keys Windows 7, Vista and Internet Explorer By

Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcut keys can save you a lot of time. Here’s a complete guide along with a few tips for IE and Windows Apps.

If you spend as much time in front of a computer as I do, learning a shortcut that can shave a few seconds off a common task can be significant. Throw in the fact that I’m also a bit lazy… and it should explain why I’m always looking around for new Keyboard Shortcuts. The majority of Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts remain the same from Windows Vista and XP (thank you for that Microsoft), so many of the shortcuts I’ve compiled in this groovyPost should look familiar. If you have a favorite I’ve missed or you find a new one, however, please be sure to tell me about it in the comments so I can add it to the list!



9/22/2012 Editor Update — I just published a list of Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 8 and Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts. Take a look at the latest shortcut goodness!

My personal favorite BTW – is the pressing F6 while using Internet Explorer. F6 automatically selects your Address Bar for you. It saves me a lot of time!

Windows 7 and Windows Vista Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows logo key :: Open or close the Start menu

Windows logo key + Left Arrow Key :: Snap current window to left side of screen for side-by-side viewing

Windows logo key + Right Arrow Key :: Snap current window to left side of screen for side-by-side viewing

Windows logo key + Left Arrow 2x :: Snap current window left across multiple monitors for side-by-side viewing

Windows logo key + PAUSE :: Display the System Properties dialog box

Windows logo key + D :: Display the desktop

Windows logo key + M :: Minimize all windows

Windows logo key + SHIFT+M :: Restore minimized windows to the desktop

Windows logo key + E :: Open Computer

Windows logo key + F :: Search for a file or folder

CTRL+Windows logo key + F :: Search for computers (if you are on a network)

Windows logo key + L :: Lock your computer or switch users

Windows logo key + R :: Open the Run dialog box

Windows logo key + T :: Cycle through programs on the taskbar

Windows logo key + TAB :: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D

CTRL+Windows logo key + TAB :: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D

Windows logo key + SPACEBAR :: Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar

Windows logo key + G :: Cycle through Sidebar gadgets

Windows logo key + U :: Open Ease of Access Center

Windows logo key + X :: Open Windows Mobility Center

Windows logo key with any number key :: Open the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the position that corresponds to the number. For example, Windows logo key + 1 :: Launch the first shortcut in the Quick Launch menu.

Windows Key + S :: OneNote Screen Clipping Tool (Requires OneNote)

Windows Key + = :: Open Magnifier Tool

General Keyboard Shortcuts

F1 :: Display Help

F2 :: Rename the selected item

F3 :: Search for a file or folder

F4 :: Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer

F5 – Refresh the active window

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

F7 :: Check Spelling in open document

F10 :: Activate the menu bar in the active program

CTRL+A :: Select all items in a document or window

CTRL+C :: Copy the selected item

CTRL+X :: Cut the selected item

CTRL+V :: Paste the selected item

CTRL+Z :: Undo an action

CTRL+Y :: Redo an action

SHIFT+DELETE :: Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first (Outlook Tip also)

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

SHIFT when you insert a CD :: Prevent the CD from automatically playing

CTRL+ESC :: Open the Start menu

CTRL+SHIFT with an arrow key :: Select a block of text

CTRL+SHIFT+ESC :: Open Task Manager

CTRL+F4 :: Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)

CTRL+ALT+TAB :: Use the arrow keys to switch between open items

CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel :: Change the size of icons on the desktop

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

ALT+ENTER :: Display properties for the selected item

ALT+F4 :: Close the active item, or exit the active program

ALT+SPACEBAR :: Open the shortcut menu for the active window

ALT+UP ARROW :: View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer

ALT+TAB :: Switch between open items

ALT+SHIFT+TAB :: Switch between open items in reverse order

Windows logo key + TAB :: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D

CTRL+Windows logo key + TAB :: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D

ESC :: Cancel the current task

Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts

CTRL+click :: Open links in a new tab in the background

CTRL+SHIFT+click :: Open links in a new tab in the foreground

CTRL+T :: Open a new tab in the foreground

CTRL+TAB or CTRL+SHIFT+TAB :: Switch between tabs

CTRL+W :: Close current tab (or the current window if tabbed browsing is disabled)

ALT+ENTER :: Open a new tab in the foreground from the Address bar

CTRL+n (where n is a number between 1 and 8) :: Switch to a specific tab number

CTRL+9 :: Switch to the last tab

CTRL+ALT+F4 :: Close other tabs

CTRL+Q :: Toggle Quick Tabs (thumbnail view) on or off

ALT+M :: Open the Home menu

ALT+R :: Open the Print menu

ALT+J :: Open the RSS menu

ALT+O :: Open the Tools menu

ALT+L :: Open the Help menu

F1 :: Display Help

F11 :: Toggle between full-screen and regular views of the browser window

TAB :: Move forward through the items on a webpage, the Address bar, or the Links bar

SHIFT+TAB :: Move back through the items on a webpage, the Address bar, or the Links bar

ALT+HOME :: Go to your home page

ALT+RIGHT ARROW :: Go to the next page

ALT+LEFT ARROW or BACKSPACE :: Go to the previous page

SHIFT+F10 :: Display a shortcut menu for a link

CTRL+TAB or F6 :: Move forward through frames and browser elements (only works if tabbed browsing is disabled)

CTRL+SHIFT+TAB :: Move backward between frames (only works if tabbed browsing is disabled)

CTRL+F :: Find on this page

F5 :: Refresh the current web page

CTRL+F5 :: Refresh the current web page, even if the time stamp for the web version and your locally stored version are the same

ESC :: Stop downloading a page

CTRL+O :: Open a new website or page

CTRL+N :: Open a new window

CTRL+W :: Close the current window (if you only have one tab open)

CTRL+S :: Save the current page

CTRL+P :: Print the current page or active frame

CTRL+I :: Open Favorites

CTRL+H :: Open History

CTRL+J :: Open Feeds

ALT+P :: Open the Page menu

ALT+T :: Open the Tools menu

ALT+H :: Open the Help menu

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

CTRL+TAB :: Move forward through tabs

CTRL+SHIFT+TAB :: Move back through tabs

TAB :: Move forward through options

SHIFT+TAB :: Move back through options

ALT+underlined letter :: Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter

ENTER :: Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands

SPACEBAR :: Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box

Arrow keys :: Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

F1 :: Display Help

F4 :: Display the items in the active list

BACKSPACE :: Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Windows Sidebar keyboard shortcuts

Windows logo key Picture of Windows logo key + SPACEBAR :: Bring all gadgets to the front and select Sidebar

Windows logo key Picture of Windows logo key +G :: Cycle through Sidebar gadgets

TAB :: Cycle through Sidebar controls

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

END :: Display the bottom of the active window

HOME :: Display the top of the active window

F11 :: Maximize or minimize the active window

CTRL+N :: Open a new window

CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel :: Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons

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

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

NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad :: Collapse the selected folder

LEFT ARROW :: Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folder

ALT+D :: Select the Address bar

ALT+LEFT ARROW :: View the previous folder

ALT+RIGHT ARROW :: View the next folder

RIGHT ARROW :: Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder

More Keyboard Shortcuts we love!

Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (or PRTSCRN) :: Turn High Contrast on or off

Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK :: Turn Mouse Keys on or off

SHIFT five times :: Turn Sticky Keys on or off

NUM LOCK for five seconds :: Turn Toggle Keys on or off

Windows logo key +U :: Open the Ease of Access Center

SHIFT with any arrow key :: Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document

CTRL with any arrow key+SPACEBAR :: Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop

CTRL+RIGHT ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word

CTRL+LEFT ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word

CTRL+DOWN ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph

CTRL+UP ARROW :: Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Time to save this groovyPost! <CRTL+SHIFT+P> …… Live Writer needed for that one ;)