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Here's a list of Microsoft's documented keyboard shortcuts.
General folder / Windows Explorer shortcuts for a selected object:
Keys Action
--------- ------------
F2 Rename
F3 Find
CTRL+X, C, or V Cut, Copy, or Paste
SHIFT+DELETE Delete immediately without putting
the file in Recycle Bin
ALT+ENTER Properties
ALT+double-click Properties
CTRL+right-click Put alternative verbs on the context
menu (Open With)
SHIFT+double-click Explore the object if it has an Explore
command
CTRL+drag a file to a folder Copy a file
CTRL+SHIFT+drag a file to the
desktop or a folder Create a shortcut
CTRL+ESC,ESC,TAB,SHIFT+F10 Open taskbar properties
General control over folders/Windows Explorer
Keys Action
--------- ------------
F4 (Explorer) Displays the combo box
F5 Refresh
F6 Switches between panes in
Windows Explorer
CTRL+G (WindowsExplorer) Goto
CTRL+Z Undo
CTRL+A Select all
BACKSPACE Goes to the parent folder
SHIFT+<close> Closes this folder and all its
parent folders
In Windows Explorer
Keys Action
--------- ------------
Num* Expands everything under selection
Num- Expands selection
Num+ or Right arrow Collapses selection
Right arrow Expands current selection if it's
collapsed; otherwise goes to the first
child.
Left arrow Collapses current selection if it's
expanded; otherwise goes to the parent
In Properties
Keys Action
--------- ------------
CTRL+TAB or CTRL+SHIFT+TAB Switches between Properties tabs
In Open/Save Common Dialog Boxes
Keys Action
--------- ------------
F4 Drop down the location list
F5 Refresh the view
Backspace Go to parent folder if focus is on
view window
General Keyboard-Only Commands
Keys Action
--------- ------------
F1 Help
F10 Goes to menu mode
SHIFT+F10 Context menu for selected item
CTRL+ESC Brings up Start menu
CTRL+ESC, ESC Focus on the Start button
SHIFT+F10 Context menu
ALT+TAB Switch to the running program
SHIFT while inserting CD Bypasses auto-run
Alt+M when focus is on taskbar Minimizes all windows
Accessibility Shortcuts
Keys Action
--------- ------------
Tap SHIFT 5 times Toggles StickyKeys on/off
Hold down Right SHIFT
for 8 seconds Toggles FilterKeys on/off
Hold down NumLock for 5 seconds Toggles ToggleKeys on/off
Left ALT+LEFT+SHIFT +NumLock Toggles MouseKeys on/off
Left ALT+LEFT+SHIFT+PrintScreen Toggles HighContrast on/off
MS Natural Keyboard
Keys Action
--------- ------------
Win+R Run dialog
Win+M Minimize All
Shift-Win+M Undo Minimize All
Win+F1 Windows Help
Win+E Explorer
Win+F Find Files or Folders
CTRL+Win+F Find Computer
Win+Tab Cycle through taskbar buttons
Win+Break PSS Hotkey... (System properties)
This was first published in February 2002
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