Windows and other os's have built in shortcuts for many of
the routine
mouse operations. You know you can save a lot of time by using your
keyboard to perform these operations rather than moving the mouse.
Keyboard shortcuts (or shortcut keys) allow you to copy and paste,
close programs, switch between programs, and much much more. Here are some
of the most common shortcut commands that are common to Windows and
Macintosh operating systems that work in most applications:
| Windows |
|
Macintosh |
| shift + arrow keys |
Selects/blocks text and items |
shift + arrow keys |
| CRTL + A |
Select all |
 + A |
| CTRL + C |
Copies selected text/item |
+ C |
| CTRL + V |
Pastes copied or cut text/item |
+ V |
| CTRL + X |
Cut selected text/item |
+ X |
| CTRL + Z |
Undo last action |
+ Z |
| Print scrn |
Copies a screen shot of the whole screen |
|
| |
Takes a snapshot of the entire screen and saves it to the hard drive |
+ shift + 3 |
| ALT + Print scrn |
Copies a screen shot of the active window |
|
| |
Takes a snapshot of part f the screen and saves it to the hard drive |
+ shift + 4 |
| ALT + F4 |
Exit/Quit Program |
+ Q |
CTRL + F or  + F |
Find |
+ F |
| ALT + TAB |
Cycles between all open programs |
ALT + TAB |
| CTRL + ESC or |
Activates the Start Menu |
|
| + M |
Minimizes all open windows |
|
| + shift + M |
Undo Minimize all command |
|
| + E |
Opens Windows Explorer |
|
| + D |
Brings the Desktop to the front without minimizing windows |
|
| F1 |
Opens the Help files for the application that is open |
F1 |
| F5 or CTRL + R |
Refresh contents of a window |
+ R |
There are many more keyboard shortcuts (or shortcut keys) to
put on this page. Many shortcuts are specific to certain applications or operating systems. Consult the Help files for your operating system or applications for even more keyboard shortcuts!