Best Keyboard Shortcuts

Getting used to using your keyboard exclusively and leaving your mouse behind will make you much more efficient at performing any task on any Windows system. I use the following keyboard shortcuts every day:

Windows key + R = Run menu

This is usually followed by:

• cmd = Command Prompt
• iexplore + "web address" = Internet Explorer
• compmgmt.msc = Computer Management
• dhcpmgmt.msc = DHCP Management
• dnsmgmt.msc = DNS Management
• services.msc = Services
• eventvwr = Event Viewer
• dsa.msc = Active Directory Users and Computers
• dssite.msc = Active Directory Sites and Services
• Windows key + E = Explorer

• ALT + Tab = Switch between windows
• ALT, Space, X = Maximize window
• CTRL + Shift + Esc = Task Manager
• Windows key + Break = System properties
• Windows key + F = Search
• Windows key + D = Hide/Display all windows
• CTRL + C = copy
• CTRL + X = cut
• CTRL + V = paste

Also don't forget about the "Right-click" key next to the right Windows key on your keyboard. Using the arrows and that key can get just about anything done once you've opened up any program.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

[Alt] and [Esc] Switch between running applications

[Alt] and letter Select menu item by underlined letter

[Ctrl] and [Esc] Open Program Menu

[Ctrl] and [F4] Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)

[Alt] and [F4] Quit active application or close current window

[Alt] and [-] Open Control menu for active document

Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow Move cursor forward or back one word

Ctrl] Up, Down arrow Move cursor forward or back one paragraph

[F1] Open Help for active application

Windows+M Minimize all open windows

Shift+Windows+M Undo minimize all open windows

Windows+F1 Open Windows Help

Windows+Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons

Windows+Break Open the System Properties dialog box

Accessibility shortcuts:

Right SHIFT for eight seconds........ Switch FilterKeys on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN....... Switch High Contrast on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK....... Switch MouseKeys on and off.

SHIFT....... five times Switch StickyKeys on and off.

NUM LOCK...... for five seconds Switch ToggleKeys on and off.

explorer shortcuts

END....... Display the bottom of the active window.

HOME....... Display the top of the active window.

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 current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder.

RIGHT ARROW....... Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder.

Type the commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run:

• devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
• msinfo32 = System Information
• cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
• ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
• mmc = Microsoft Management Console
• excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
• msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
• powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
• winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
• frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
• notepad = Notepad
• wordpad = WordPad
• calc = Calculator
• msmsgs = Windows Messenger
• mspaint = Microsoft Paint
• wmplayer = Windows Media Player
• rstrui = System Restore
• netscp6 = Netscape 6.x
• netscp = Netscape 7.x
• netscape = Netscape 4.x
• waol = America Online
• control = Opens the Control Panel
• control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog

These mostly are the commands that can be used daily based on your work. Work more on these to get a good hand on these.

So what are you waiting for guys? :)