Basic PC shortcut keys

Basic PC shortcut keys

Below is a list of some of the most commonly used basic shortcut keys that work with almost all IBM compatible computers and software programs. It is highly recommended that all users keep a good reference of these shortcut keys or try to memorize them. Doing so will dramatically increase your productivity.

Tip: Besides the special character shortcuts listed here, some special characters are also located on the number keys (below the F1 - F12 keys). You can enter these special characters by pressing the Shift key and the number key that has the special character listed on it.


Shortcut Keys                                  Description
Alt+F                          File menu options in current program.
Alt+E                         Edit options in current program
Alt+Tab                      Switch between open programs
F1                              Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
F2                               Rename a selected file
F5                                Refresh the current program window
Ctrl+N                      Create a new, blank document in some software programs
Ctrl+O                  Open a file in current software program
Ctrl+A                   Select all text.
Ctrl+B                        Change selected text to be Bold
Ctrl+I                         Change selected text to be in Italics
Ctrl+U                       Change selected text to be Underlined
Ctrl+F                          Open find window for current document or window.
Ctrl+S                           Save current document file.
Ctrl+X                         Cut selected item.
Shift+Del                      Cut selected item.
Ctrl+C                        Copy selected item.
Ctrl+Ins                          Copy selected item
Ctrl+V                                  Paste
Shift+Ins                            Paste
Ctrl+Y                       Redo last action
Ctrl+Z                         Undo last action
Ctrl+K                         Insert hyperlink for selected text
Ctrl+P                        Print the current page or document.
Home                       Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl+Home                     Goes to beginning of document.
End                           Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl+End                       Goes to end of document.
Shift+Home                 Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
Shift+End                      Highlights from current position to end of line.
Ctrl+Left arrow              Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl+Right arrow                 Moves one word to the right at a time.
Ctrl+Esc                     Opens the START menu
Ctrl+Shift+Esc                 Opens Windows Task Manager
Alt+F4                           Close the currently active program
Alt+Enter              Open the Properties for the selected item (file,  
                                folder, shortcut, etc.)
 

************