Here is an introduction to shortcut keys for windows XP what I have created
Just a general guide for everyone, not a comprehensive one though I may add
Hope this is of use to you !

An introduction to shortcut keys for windows XP

What are shortcut keys and why are they used ?
Shortcut keys are a way of navigating certain menu's and features by using the keyboard instead of manually searching through various menu's. This can speed up the way you use your computer, all it takes is a little practice and getting used to.

How to use shortcut keys
Lets take the following combination - ctrl & a - this is the shortcut keys for selecting all text on the page.
To utilise this, first press, and hold down the ctrl key, then, while pressing down the ctrl key press the a key
This, if done correctly will now highlight all text on this page

Word of note:

i) Although this document is entitled for windows XP and above - a big majority of these keys will work under other versions of Microsoft Operating systems and are global keys.

ii) In this document I will be referring to the Winkey (Windows Key) to avoid any confusion please note that the winkey on certain keyboards (such as microsoft keyboards) is shown as the start key, on other keyboards it may simply have the windows flag logo imprinted onto it. The Winkey is the key next to the ctrl key on the left hand side of your keyboard

iii) This is not a comprehensive list - just a list of the most commonly used keys

List of shortcut keys and what they do

General Windows Shortcut Keys

F1 - Universal Help key - Works in all Microsoft based programs
F2 - Rename files or Folders
F3 - Opens up the Find dialogue
F5 - Refresh contents in current application

Winkey & D - This will mimimise all windows you have open and take you to the desktop. by pressing it again this can be reversed
Winkey & E - This will open up the Windows Explorer file browser window
Winkey & TAB - This will cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
Winkey & F - This will open up the windows search feature
Winkey & CTRL & F - This will open up the search for computers window.
Winkey & F1 - This will open up the Microsoft Help and Support Centre
Winkey & R - This will bring up the run box dialogue
Winkey & L - This will lock the computer and take you to the sign in screen

General Editing Keys

ALT & F - Opens up the file menu
ALT & E - Opens up the edit menu

Ctrl & A - Highlights all text
Ctrl & C - Copys highlighted selected text
Ctrl & X -Cuts highlighted selected text
Ctrl & V - Pastes text from clipboard into document
Ctrl & Z - Reverses last action
Ctrl & P - Brings up the print dialogue
Ctrl & B - Enbolden Text
Ctrl & I - Place text in italics
Ctrl & U - Underline text

Insert - Toggles between overtype mode and normal mode
Ctrl & Insert - Copys selected text
Shift & Delete - Cuts highlighted selected text
Shift & Insert - Pastes text from clipboard into document

Shift & Home - Selects the text from current cursor position to beggining of line
Shift & End - Selects the text from current cursor position to end of line
Ctrl & Left Arrow - Move the cursor backword one word
Ctrl & Right Arrow - Move the cursor forward one word

Home Key - Goes to beggining of current line
End Key - Goes to end of current line
Ctrl & Home - Goes to top of document
Ctrl & End - Goes to end of document

Other Misc Keys

Alt & Tab - Cycles through current open applications
Alt & F4 - Closes the current open application
Ctrl & Escape - Brings up the start menu
Shift & Del - When deleting a selected highlighted item - this will bypass the recycle bin
Holding Shift Key - While inserting a CD/DVD will bypass the auto play feature
F8 - While pressing this key on boot up will bring you to the boot up options screen - handy for entering safe mode

Thanks, I was looking for one of these

u for got1 press winkey and then press 4 button to shutdown,restart,logoff

Nice work mate, comes in handy.

Thanks, I'm a new member and finding lots of helpful things.

hi, it has been a long time since I was on windows but I remember putting together a little list like this before and hope that it helps someone to navagate better their system, the run command box is a great tool because once one has put the target line in the box it remembers so that one does have to type more than the first few letters the second time

runbox msc commands (Microsoft Management Console snap-in)
-----------------------------------------------------------
ciadv.msc = indexing service
compmgmt.msc = computer management
devmgmt.msc = device manager
dfrg.msc = disk defragment
diskmgmt.msc = disk management
eventvwr.msc = event viewer
fsmgmt.msc = shared folders
gpedit.msc = group policies
lusrmgr.msc = local users and groups
ntmsmgr.msc = removable storage operator request
perfmon.msc = performance monitor
rsop.msc = resultant set of policies
secpol.msc = local security settings
services.msc = various Services
secpol.msc = local security settings
certmgr.msc = certificate manager
wmimgmt.msc = windows management infrastructure
runbox cpl commands
------------------------------------------------------------------
ac3filter.cpl = ac3 filter(if installed)
access.cpl = accessibility option control
appwiz.cpl = add/remove programs control
desk.cpl = display properties control
directx.cpl = direct x control panel(if installed)
findfast.cpl = FindFast control
firewall.cpl = windows firewall
hdwwiz.cpl = add hardware wizard
inetcpl.cpl = Internet Properties control
intl.cpl = regional and language options
joy.cpl = game controlloers control
jpicpl32.cpl = java control panel(if installed)
main.cpl = Mouse Properties control
mmsys.cpl = Multimedia Properties control
ncpa.cpl = network control
netsetup.cpl = network setup wizard
nusrmgr.cpl = user accounts control
odbccp32.cpl =odbc data souce adminstrator
password.cpl = Password Properties control
powercfg.cpl = power options properties control
joy.cpl = game controlloers control
sysdm.cpl = System Properties control
sticpl.cpl = scanner and camera control
tlephon.cpl = telephone and moden options
timedate.cpl = date/time Properties control
waaucpl.cpl = automatic updates
wscui.cpl = security center
runbox control commands
---------------------------------------------------------------------- -
control admintools = amdinistrative tools
control color = display properties(appearence)
control desktop = desktop properties
control folders = folder properties
control fonts = fonts properties
control keyboard = keyboard properties
control netconnections = network connections
control mouse = mouse properties
control printers = printer and fax options
control schedtasks = schedualed tasks
runbox non grouped commands
-------------------------------------------------------
dxdiag = direct x trounbleshooter
ddeshare = dde share
cliconfg = sql client configaration
cmd = command prompt
dcomcnfg = component services
clipbrd = clipboard
chkdsk = check disk utility
fsquirt = bluetooth transfer wizard
folders = folders properties
font = fonts folder
freecell = freecell
calc = caculator
charmap = carater graph
cleanmgr = too long to explain but useful
command = opens command prompt
diskpart = disk partition manager
explorer = explorer
iexpress = iexpress wizard
javaws = java control panel(in installed)
logoff = logs you out of windows
magnity = windows magnifier
msconfig = system Configuration Utility
msinfo32 = system Infomation
msimn = letterbox
mailto = opens default email client
notepad = notepad
osk = keyboard
packager = object packager
perfmon = performance minitor
prefetch = the thing windows prepairs
regedit = Registry Editor
regedit32 -
sfc = system file checker utility
taskmgr = task manager
telnet = telnet client
wab = windows address book
wabmig = windows address book (adding something)
win.ini = windows loading information(also system.ini)
winver = shows current version of windows
winchat = microsoft chat
sysedit = System Edit
tourstart = tour pub when xp is installed
drwtsn32 = dr. watson troubleshooting utility
verifier = driver verifier utility
sigverif = file signature verification tool
write = wordpad
utelman = utility manager

runbox subdirectories
accessability settings
access.cpl @0,1 = keyboard
access.cpl @0,2 = sound
access.cpl @0,3 = display
access.cpl @0,4 = mouse
access.cpl @0,5 = general
desk settings
desk.cpl = theme
desk.cpl @0,0 = desktop
desk.cpl @0,1 = screen saver
desk.cpl @0,2 = apearance
desk.cpl @0,3 = setting
Internet Settings
inetcpl.cpl @0,0 = general
inetcpl.cpl @0,1= security
inetcpl.cpl @0,2 = privacy
inetcpl.cpl @0,3 = content
inetcpl.cpl @0,4 = connections
inetcpl.cpl @0,5 = programs
inetcpl.cpl @0,6 = advanced
regional settings
intl.cpl @0,0 = regoal options
intl.cpl @0.1 = languges
intl.cpl @0,2 = advanced
keyboard/mouse
main.cpl @0,1 = buttons
main.cpl @0,1,1 = pointers
main.cpl @0,2 = pointers options
main.cpl @0,3 = wheel
main.cpl @0,4 = hardware
main.cpl @1,0 = keyboard speed
main.cpl @1,1,1 = keyboard hardware
sounds properties box
mmsys.cpl @0,0= volume
mmsys.cpl @0,1 = sound
mmsys.cpl @0,2 = audio
mmsys.cpl @0,3 = voice
mmsys.cpl @0,4 = hardward
system Settings
sysdm.cpl @0,0 = general
sysdm.cpl @0,1 = computer name
sysdm.cpl @0,2 = hardware
sysdm.cpl @0,3 = advanced
sysdm.cpl @0,4 = restore system
sysdm.cpl @0,5 = automatic updatet
sysdm.cpl @0,6 = remote

variables that work with the runcommand box:
%allusersprofile% = local returns the location of the all users profile.
%appdata% = local returns the location where applications store data by default.
%cd% = local returns the current directory string.
%comspec% = system returns the exact path to the command shell executable.
%homedrive% = system returns which local workstation drive letter is connected to the user's home directory. this variable is set based on the value of the home directory. the user's home directory is specified in local users and groups.
%homepath% = system returns the full path of the user's home directory. this variable is set based on the value of the home directory. the user's home directory is specified in local users and groups.
the user's home directory is specified in local users and groups.
%logonserver% = local returns the name of the domain controller that validated the current logon session.
%programfiles% = returns the location of the default install directory for applications.
%systemdrive% = system returns the drive containing the windows root directory (i.e., the system root).
%systemroot% = system returns the location of the windows root directory.
%temp% = system and user return the default temporary directories for applications that are available to users who are currently logged on. some applications require temp and others require tmp.
%tmp% = system and user return the default temporary directories for applications that are available to users who are currently logged on. some applications require temp and others require tmp.
%(time)% = system returns the current time. this variable uses the same format as the time /t command. cmd.exe generates this variable. for more information about the time command, see the time command.
%(userdomain)% = local returns the name of the domain that contains the user's account.
%(username)% = local returns the name of the user currently logged on.
%userprofile% = local returns the location of the profile for the current user.
%windir% = system returns the location of the os directory

screen properties
aplications key = properties window
alt botton = close properties window
aplications key + e = ?
aplications key + i = properties icon window only
aplications key + i + a = set or unset auto icon arange
aplications key + i + d = show or hide desktop icons
aplications key + i + g = ?
aplications key + i + l = set or unset aline to grid
aplications key + i + m = set icons by medified
aplications key + i + n = set icons by name
aplications key + i + r = desk clean up
aplications key + i + s = set icons by size
aplications key + i + t = set icons by type
aplications key + p = ?
aplications key + r = display properties
aplications key + s = ?
aplications key + w = new
aplications key + w + b = briefcase
aplications key + w + d = word doc(if installed)
aplications key + w + e = close properties window
aplications key + w + f once = excel doc(if installed)
aplications key + w + f twice = folder
aplications key + w + p once = powerpoint(if installed)
aplications key + w + p twice = zip file
aplications key + w + s = shortcut
aplications key + w + t = text doc
aplications key + w + w = wav doc

task bar properties
---------------------------
aplications key + e = enlarges window leaving it big on top of screen
aplications key + h = enlarges window leaving it big on top of screen
aplications key + k = task manager(prossesses)window
aplications key + l = lock task bar
aplications key + r = taskbar and start menu properties window
aplications key + r + c = customize notifications
aplications key + r + g = group similar taskbar buttons
aplications key + r + h = hide inactive icons

mplayer2 keyboard shortcuts
-----------------------------------------------
spacebar = play or pause an open media file
period = stop the player
page up = restart current clip or play previous clip (skip back)
page down = play next clip in playlist (skip forward)
esc = return to previous size from full-screen mode and stop the player, or stop the player
left arrow = momentary rewind, rewind stops when you release the key
ctrl + left arrow = continuous rewind, rewind continues until you select another control
right arrow = momentary fast forward, fast forwarding stops when you release the key
ctrl + right arrow = continuous fast forward, fast forwarding continues until you select another control
alt + left arrow = open the previous media file you played in this session
alt + right arrow = open the next media file in the list of files played in this session
m or ctrl+m = turn sound off or on
up arrow = turn volume up
down arrow = turn volume down
ap + enter = use full-screen mode or return to previous size from full-screen mode
ap+1 = resize video to 50%
alt+2 = resize video to 100%
alt+3 = resize video to 200%
ctrl+1 = use standard view
ctrl+2 = use compact view
ctrl+3 = use minimal view
ctrl+home = open a web site that provides access to a wide range of all types of media files
ctrl+f = open a web site that provides access to web based radio stations
ctrl+g = select a marker at which to begin playback
ctrl+o = open a file
ctrl+t = put mplayer2 on top of other windows
ctrl+u = open a web site that provides access to a wide range of music
ctrl+v = preview a section of each clip in the playlist
shift+F10 = open the context menu

Window winkey shortcuts
-------------------------------------------------------------
winkey = display or hide the start menu
winkey + d = minimise to taskbar
winkey + d(again) = open all minmised windows
winkey + e = opens "my computer" window
winkey + f = opens "find" window
winkey + f + ctrl = Search for computers
winkey + l = log off
winkey + m = minise to taskbar
winkey + m + shift button = open all minmised windows
winkey + r = opens "run command" window
winkey + u = run utility manger and narrator voice
winkey + l = locks the desktop
winkey + tab = switch between open items
winkey + break = display the system properties dialog box

windows shortcuts
-------------------------------------------------------------
alt + enter = view an item’s properties
alt + spacebar = display the current window’s system menu
alt + tab = switches the windows have run
alt + f4 = close the current window or quit
alt + right arrow = move forward to a previous view
alt + left arrow = move backward to a previous view
shift + delete = delete an item immediately
shift + f10 = display the item's context menu
ctrl + esc = display the Start menu
ctrl + a = select all items
ctrl + x = cut selected item(s)
ctrl + c = copy selected item(s)
ctrl + v = paste item(s)
ctrl l + z = undo last action
ctrl + (+) = automatically resize the columns in the right hand pane
f2 = rename selected item
f3 = display Find application
f5 = refresh window contents
f6 = switch between left and right panes
f10 = activate the menu bar in programs
backspace -= view the folder one level up
tab = move forward through options

Internet explorer shortcuts
--------------------------------------------------------------
ctrl + a = select all items on the current page
ctrl + d = add the current page to your Favorites
ctrl + e = open the search bar
ctrl + f = find on this page
ctrl + h = open the history bar
ctrl + i = open the favorites bar
ctrl + n = open a new window
ctrl + o = go to a new location
ctrl + p = print the current page or active frame
ctrl + s = save the current page
ctrl + w = close current browser window
ctrl + enter = adds the http://www. (url) .com

backspace = go to the previous page
f1 = display internet explorer help
f4 = display list of typed addresses
f5 = refresh the current page
f6 = change address bar and page focus
f11 = toggle full-screen view
home = move to the beginning of a document
tab = move forward through items on a page
end = move to the end of a document
esc = stop downloading a page
alt + home = go to your Home page
alt + right arrow = go to the next page
shift + click = open link in new window
shift + ctrl + tab = move back between frames
shift + f10 = display a shortcut menu for a link
shift + tab = move back through the items on a page
ctrl + tab = move forward between frames
ctrl + c = copy selected items to the clipboard
ctrl + v = insert contents of the clipboard
enter = activate a selected link
home = move to the beginning of a document
end = move to the end of a document

Heres some more if it helps anyone..

Windows Shortcuts

General Keyboard Shortcuts
• CTRL+C (Copy)
• CTRL+X (Cut)
• CTRL+V (Paste)
• CTRL+Z (Undo)
• DELETE (Delete)
• SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
• CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
• CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
• CTRL+A (Select all)
• F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
• ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
• ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
• ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
• F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
• F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
• CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
• Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
• F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
• RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
• LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
• F5 key (Update the active window)
• BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• ESC (Cancel the current task)
• SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts
• CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
• TAB (Move forward through the options)
• SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
• ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
• ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
• 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 key (Display Help)
• F4 key (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)

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Shortcuts
• Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
• Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
• Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
• Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
• Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
• Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
• Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
• CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
• Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
• Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
• Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
• Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts
• Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
• SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
• NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
• Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
• END (Display the bottom of the active window)
• HOME (Display the top of the active window)
• NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
• LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
• RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Shortcut Keys for Character Map
After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts: • RIGHT ARROW (Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line)
• LEFT ARROW (Move to the left or to the end of the previous line)
• UP ARROW (Move up one row)
• DOWN ARROW (Move down one row)
• PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time)
• PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time)
• HOME (Move to the beginning of the line)
• END (Move to the end of the line)
• CTRL+HOME (Move to the first character)
• CTRL+END (Move to the last character)
• SPACEBAR (Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected)

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Main Window Keyboard Shortcuts
• CTRL+O (Open a saved console)
• CTRL+N (Open a new console)
• CTRL+S (Save the open console)
• CTRL+M (Add or remove a console item)
• CTRL+W (Open a new window)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the MMC window menu)
• ALT+F4 (Close the console)
• ALT+A (Display the Action menu)
• ALT+V (Display the View menu)
• ALT+F (Display the File menu)
• ALT+O (Display the Favorites menu)

MMC Console Window Keyboard Shortcuts
• CTRL+P (Print the current page or active pane)
• ALT+Minus sign (-) (Display the window menu for the active console window)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item)
• F1 key (Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• CTRL+F10 (Maximize the active console window)
• CTRL+F5 (Restore the active console window)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console)

Remote Desktop Connection Navigation
• CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
• ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
• ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
• ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
• ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
• CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
• ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
• CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
• CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

Microsoft Internet Explorer Navigation
• CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
• CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
• CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
• CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
• CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
• CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
• CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
• CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
• CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
• CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
• CTRL+W (Close the current window)

Thanks man!


Connor

thanks for this list!
Now I will be using windows key + D, to minimise my windows rather my quick run shortcut.

Thank you , very nice.