Windows XP Shortcut Keys

31 shortcuts to make life easier.

© Michael Simpson

Oct 16, 2006
These shortcuts should make life easier when trying to do your work in Windows XP.

This is a list of keyboard shortcuts to use while navigating thru Windows XP.

Note-In the following list when you see WIN we are talking about the Windows key, this is usually located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the bottom left hand side of most keyboards.

Keystroke Function

WIN - Opens the Start Menu

WIN + E - Opens My Computer in Windows Explorer

WIN + Pause/Break - Opens the System Properties dialog box

WIN + U - Opens the Utility Manager

WIN + R - Opens the Run box

WIN + F - Opens the Search for Files and Folder window

WIN + M - Minimizes all Windows

WIN + L - Lock Computer

WIN + B - Selects the first item in the System.Use arrow keys to navigate.

Alt + Tab - Switch between open programs.

Alt + Enter - Opens the Properties page of a selected item

Shift + Delete - Permanently deletes and item

Ctrl + Shift + Esc - Opens the Windows Task Manager

PrtScn - Takes a screenshot of the entire screen, saves it on the clipboard

Alt + PrtScn - Takes a screenshot of the active windows

F1 - Opens the Windows XP Help

F2 - Rename selected item

F5 - Refresh Internet Explorer page

Ctrl + A - Select All

Ctrl + C - Copy

Ctrl + X - Cut

Ctrl + V - Paste

Ctrl + P - Print

Ctrl + O - Open

Ctrl + Backspace - Deletes the entire word to the left

Ctrl + Delete - Deletes the entire word to the right

Ctrl + Right arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next word

Ctrl + Left arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous word

Ctrl + Down arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph

Ctrl + Up arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Click Shift 5 times - Turns StickyKeys on or off

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The copyright of the article Windows XP Shortcut Keys in PC Software/OS is owned by Michael Simpson. Permission to republish Windows XP Shortcut Keys in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




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