List of Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

9:53:00 AM |

New Windows 7 hotkeys

Keyboard ShortcutAction
Windows logo key +HomeClear all but the active window
Windows logo key +SpaceAll windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop
Windows logo key +Up arrowMaximize the active window
Windows logo key +Down arrow:Minimize the active window or restore the window if it’s maximized
Windows logo key +Left/Right arrowsDock the active window to each side of the monitor
Windows logo key +Shift+Left/Right arrowsIf you’ve got dual monitors, this will move the active window to the adjacent monitor
Windows logo key +TShift focus to and scroll through items on the taskbar
Windows logo key +PAdjust presentation settings for your display
Windows logo key +(+/-)Zoom in/out
Windows logo key +Click a taskbar itemOpen a new instance of that particular application

Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that can help make your computer easier to use.  [more]
Keyboard ShortcutAction
Right Shift for eight secondsTurn Filter Keys on and off
Left Alt+Left Shift+PrtScn (or PrtScn)Turn High Contrast on or off
Left Alt+Left Shift+Num LockTurn Mouse Keys on or off
Shift five timesTurn Sticky Keys on or off
Num Lock for five secondsTurn Toggle Keys on or off
Windows logo key +UOpen the Ease of Access Center

General keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts.
Keyboard ShortcutAction
F1Display Help
Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)Copy the selected item
Ctrl+XCut the selected item
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)Paste the selected item
Ctrl+ZUndo an action
Ctrl+YRedo an action
Delete (or Ctrl+D)Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Shift+DeleteDelete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
F2Rename the selected item
Ctrl+Right ArrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl+Left ArrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl+Down ArrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl+Up ArrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl+Shift with an arrow keySelect a block of text
Shift with any arrow keySelect more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
Ctrl with any arrow key+SpacebarSelect multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl+ASelect all items in a document or window
F3Search for a file or folder
Alt+EnterDisplay properties for the selected item
Alt+F4Close the active item, or exit the active program
Alt+SpacebarOpen the shortcut menu for the active window
Ctrl+F4Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Alt+TabSwitch between open items
Ctrl+Alt+TabUse the arrow keys to switch between open items
Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheelChange the size of icons on the desktop
Windows logo key +TabCycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Ctrl+Windows logo key +TabUse the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Alt+EscCycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
Shift+F10Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Ctrl+EscOpen the Start menu
Alt+underlined letterDisplay the corresponding menu
Alt+underlined letterPerform the menu command (or other underlined command)
F10Activate the menu bar in the active program
Right ArrowOpen the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left ArrowOpen the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
F5 (or Ctrl+R)Refresh the active window
Alt+Up ArrowView the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
EscCancel the current task
Ctrl+Shift+EscOpen Task Manager
Shift when you insert a CDPrevent the CD from automatically playing
Left Alt+ShiftSwitch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
Ctrl+ShiftSwitch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
Right or Left Ctrl+ShiftChange the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for use in dialog boxes.
Keyboard ShortcutAction
Ctrl+TabMove forward through tabs
Ctrl+Shift+TabMove back through tabs
TabMove forward through options
Shift+TabMove back through options
Alt+underlined letterPerform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
EnterReplaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
SpacebarSelect or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow keysSelect a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F1Display Help
F4Display the items in the active list
BackspaceOpen a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key .
Keyboard ShortcutAction
Windows logo keyOpen or close the Start menu.
Windows logo key +PauseDisplay the System Properties dialog box.
Windows logo key +DDisplay the desktop.
Windows logo key +MMinimize all windows.
Windows logo key +Shift+MRestore minimized windows to the desktop.
Windows logo key +EOpen Computer.
Windows logo key +FSearch for a file or folder.
Ctrl+Windows logo key +FSearch for computers (if you’re on a network).
Windows logo key +LLock your computer or switch users.
Windows logo key +ROpen the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key +TCycle through programs on the taskbar.
Windows logo key +numberStart the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.
Shift+Windows logo key +numberStart a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Ctrl+Windows logo key +numberSwitch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Alt+Windows logo key +numberOpen the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key +TabCycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Windows logo key +TabUse the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Windows logo key +BSwitch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.
Windows logo key +SpacebarPreview the desktop.
Windows logo key +Up ArrowMaximize the window.
Windows logo key +Left ArrowMaximize the window to the left side of the screen.
Windows logo key +Right ArrowMaximize the window to the right side of the screen.
Windows logo key +Down ArrowMinimize the window.
Windows logo key +HomeMinimize all but the active window.
Windows logo key +Shift+Up ArrowStretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows logo key +Shift+Left Arrow or Right ArrowMove a window from one monitor to another.
Windows logo key +PChoose a presentation display mode.
Windows logo key +GCycle through gadgets.
Windows logo key +UOpen Ease of Access Center.
Windows logo key +XOpen Windows Mobility Center.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Explorer windows or folders.
Keyboard ShortcutAction
Ctrl+NOpen a new window
Ctrl+WClose the current window
Ctrl+Shift+NCreate a new folder
EndDisplay the bottom of the active window
HomeDisplay the top of the active window
F11Maximize or minimize the active window
Ctrl+Period (.)Rotate a picture clockwise
Ctrl+Comma (,)Rotate a picture counter-clockwise
Num Lock+Asterisk (*) on numeric keypadDisplay all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock+Plus Sign (+) on numeric keypadDisplay the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock+Minus Sign (-) on numeric keypadCollapse the selected folder
Left ArrowCollapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the parent folder
Alt+EnterOpen the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt+PDisplay the preview pane
Alt+Left ArrowView the previous folder
BackspaceView the previous folder
Right ArrowDisplay the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Alt+Right ArrowView the next folder
Alt+Up ArrowView the parent folder
Ctrl+Shift+EDisplay all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheelChange the size and appearance of file and folder icons
Alt+DSelect the address bar
Ctrl+ESelect the search box
Ctrl+FSelect the search box

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the taskbar.
Keyboard ShortcutAction
Shift+Click on a taskbar buttonOpen a program or quickly open another instance of a program
Ctrl+Shift+Click on a taskbar buttonOpen a program as an administrator
Shift+Right-click on a taskbar buttonShow the window menu for the program
Shift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar buttonShow the window menu for the group
Ctrl+Click on a grouped taskbar buttonCycle through the windows of the group

Magnifier keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Magnifier.
Keyboard ShortcutAction
Windows logo key + Plus Sign or Minus SignZoom in or out
Ctrl+Alt+SpacebarPreview the desktop in full-screen mode
Ctrl+Alt+FSwitch to full-screen mode
Ctrl+Alt+LSwitch to lens mode
Ctrl+Alt+DSwitch to docked mode
Ctrl+Alt+IInvert colors
Ctrl+Alt+arrow keysPan in the direction of the arrow keys
Ctrl+Alt+RResize the lens
Windows logo key + EscExit Magnifier

Remote Desktop Connection keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Remote Desktop Connection.
Keyboard ShortcutAction
Alt+Page UpMove between programs from left to right.
Alt+Page DownMove between programs from right to left.
Alt+InsertCycle through programs in the order that they were started in.
Alt+HomeDisplay the Start menu.
Ctrl+Alt+BreakSwitch between a window and full screen.
Ctrl+Alt+EndDisplay the Windows Security dialog box.
Alt+DeleteDisplay the system menu.
Ctrl+Alt+Minus Sign (-) on the numeric keypadPlace a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+PrtScn on a local computer).
Ctrl+Alt+Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypadPlace a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing PrtScn on a local computer).
Ctrl+Alt+Right Arrow“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.
Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.