32. Keybord Shortcuts

The keyboard shortcuts listed below are used as an alternate method of working with Windows XP. Many people find it faster and more convenient to use the keyboard when performing some tasks. You will need to experiment with them to find what works best and feels more comfortable to you.

Command	Result
CTRL + C	Copy
CTRL + X	Cut
CTRL + V	Paste
CTRL + Z	Undo
DELETE	Delete
SHIFT + DELETE	Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
CTRL while dragging an item	Copy selected item
CTRL + SHIFT while dragging an item	Create shortcut to selected item
F2	Rename 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 within a document
CTRL + A	Select all
F3	Search for a file or folder
ALT + ENTER	View properties for the selected item
ALT + F4	Close the active item, or quit the active program
ALT + Enter	Displays the properties of the selected object
ALT + SPACEBAR	Opens the shortcut menu for the active window
CTRL + F4	Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously
ALT + TAB	Switch between open items
ALT + ESC	Cycle through items in the order they were opened
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4	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	Carry out the corresponding command
F10	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	Refresh 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 into the CD-ROM drive	Prevent the CD from automatically playing.