Vista keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys

Windows Vista keyboard shortcuts

Learning the shortcuts available directly from your keyboard will enhance your computer using time.  These Hotkeys will give you instant access to many commonly used mouse commands, often saving steps in the process.

General keyboard shortcuts
F1     Display Help
CTRL+C    Copy the selected item
CTRL+X    Cut the selected item
CTRL+V    Paste the selected item
CTRL+Z    Undo an action
CTRL+Y    Redo an action
DELETE    Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
SHIFT+DELETE   Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
F2     Rename the selected item
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW  Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
CTRL+LEFT ARROW  Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL+DOWN ARROW  Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL+UP ARROW   Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
CTRL+SHIFT+arrow key  Select a block of text
SHIFT+ arrow key   Select multiple items in windows, desktop, or a text block
CTRL+ arrow key+SPACEBAR Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
CTRL+A    Select all items in a document or window
F3     Search for a file or folder
ALT+ENTER    Display properties for the selected item
ALT+F4    Close the active item, or exit the active program
ALT+SPACEBAR   Open the shortcut menu for the active window
CTRL+F4    Close the active document in programs that allow multiples
ALT+TAB    Switch between open items
CTRL+ALT+TAB   Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel  Change the size of icons on the desktop
Windows logo key + TAB  Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
ALT+ESC    Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6     Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4     Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer
SHIFT+F10    Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
CTRL+ESC    Open the Start menu
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
ALT+UP ARROW   View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
ESC     Cancel the current task
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC   Open Task Manager
SHIFT+Insert a CD   Prevent the CD from automatically playing

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
CTRL+TAB    Move forward through tabs
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB   Move back through tabs
TAB     Move forward through options
SHIFT+TAB    Move back through options
ALT+underlined letter  Perform the command assigned to that letter
ENTER    Select a command
SPACEBAR    Select or clear a check box
Arrow keys    Cycle through a group of options
F1     Display Help
F4     Display the items in the active list
BACKSPACE    Back up one level if a folder’s  Save As or Open dialog box

Windows Sidebar keyboard shortcuts
Windows logo + SPACEBAR Bring all gadgets to the front and select Sidebar
Windows logo +G   Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
TAB     Cycle through Sidebar controls

Article written by MyComputerAid.com