March 18, 2024
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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 find that if I am using a lot of Windows shortcuts and am avoiding the mouse as much as possible that I can double my effectiveness on the computer. Find here how to get they paystubs.

Everytime that you take your hand off the keyboard to use the mouse, you will need to go back and reset your hands on the keyboard. Bad, very bad.

I try to use the following keyboard shortcuts every day but to be honest I could use a lot more of them more often.

Windows key + R = Run menu

windows-logoThis is usually followed by:
cmd = Command Prompt
iexplore + “web address” = Internet Explorer
compmgmt.msc = Computer Management
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)
notepad = Notepad
wordpad = WordPad
calc = Calculator
mspaint = Microsoft Paint
wmplayer = Windows Media Player
rstrui = System Restore
control = Opens the Control Panel
control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog

On Servers You Can Admin With These

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

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

[Ctrl] and [Esc] = Open Program Menu
[Ctrl] and [F4] = Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)
[Ctrl] + Shift + Esc = Task Manager
[Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow= Move cursor forward or back one word
[Ctrl] Up, Down arrow = Move cursor forward or back one paragraph
[Ctrl] + C = copy
[Ctrl] + X = cut
[Ctrl] + V = paste
[Ctrl] +TAB Move forward through tabs.
[Ctrl] +SHIFT+TAB Move backward through tabs.

[Alt] + Tab = Switch between windows
[Alt] + Space, X = Maximize window
[Alt] + [Esc] Switch between running applications
[Alt] + letter Select menu item by underlined letter
[Alt] + [F4] Quit active application or close current window
[Alt] + [-] Open Control menu for active document

[Windows key] + Break = System properties
[Windows key] + F = Search
[Windows key] + D = Hide/Display all windows
[Windows key] + E = Explorer
[Windows key] + M Minimize all open windows
[Windows key] + Shift+M Undo minimize all open windows
[Windows key] + F1 Open Windows Help
[Windows key] + Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons
[Windows key] + Break Open the System Properties dialog box

[F1] Open Help for active application

Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes

TAB Move forward through options.
SHIFT+TAB Move backward through options.
ALT+Underlined letter Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.
ENTER Carry out the command for the active option or button.
SPACEBAR Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE

If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:

Display or hide the Start menu. WIN Key
Display the System Properties dialog box. WIN Key+BREAK
Show the desktop. WIN Key+D
Minimize all windows. WIN Key+M
Restores minimized windows. WIN Key+Shift+M
Open My Computer. WIN Key+E
Search for a file or folder. WIN Key+F
Search for computers. CTRL+WIN Key+F
Display Windows Help. WIN Key+F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. WIN Key+ L
Open the Run dialog box. WIN Key+R
Open Utility Manager. WIN Key+U

Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts

Switch FilterKeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager. WIN Key+U

Shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer

Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it’s expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it’s collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW