Windows XP shortcuts and hotkeys

Windows XP keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts, also known as HotKeys, allow you to quickly perform common tasks by pressing a certain key combination.  These include moving between windows, selecting text, and many other functions that are built into Windows.  Learning to use these HotKeys can save a lot of time, which equates to increased productivity.

General keyboard shortcuts:
DELETE   Delete selected item(s).
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys   Select multiple items in a window or select text in a document.
Ctrl while dragging an item   Copy the selected item.
Ctrl+SHIFT while dragging an item   Create a shortcut to the selected item.
Ctrl+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys   Highlight a block of text.
Ctrl+RIGHT ARROW   Move to the beginning of the next word.
Ctrl+LEFT ARROW   Move to the beginning of the previous word.
Ctrl+DOWN ARROW   Move to the beginning of the next paragraph.
Ctrl+UP ARROW   Move to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
Ctrl+A   Select all text or items in current working window or dialog box.
Ctrl+C   Copy an item.
Ctrl+V   Paste the clipboard to current window.
Ctrl+X   Cut the slect item(s).
Ctrl+Z   Undo last edit command.
SHIFT+DELETE   Delete the selected item permanently, bypassing the Recycle Bin.
F1 key   Display Help.
F2 key   Rename the selected item.
F3 key   Search for a file or a folder.
F4 key   Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
F5 key   Update the active window.
F6 key   Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F10 key   Activate the menu bar in the active program.
Alt+ENTER   View the properties.
Alt+F4   Close the active item, or quit the active program.
Alt+ENTER   Display the properties of the selected object.
Alt+SPACEBAR   Open the shortcut menu.
Ctrl+F4   Close the active document.
Alt+TAB   Switch between the open items.
Alt+ESC   Cycle through open windows.
SHIFT+F10   Display the shortcut menu.
Alt+SPACEBAR   Display the System menu.
Ctrl+ESC   Display the Start menu.
Alt+Underlined letter in a menu name   Display the corresponding menu.
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.
BACKSPACE   View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
ESC   Cancel the current task.
SHIFT when inserting a CD into the CD-ROM drive   Prevent auto-play for the CD.
Ctrl+SHIFT+ESC   Open Task Manager.

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl+TAB   Move forward through the tabs.
Ctrl+SHIFT+TAB   Move backward through the tabs.
TAB   Move forward through the options.
SHIFT+TAB   Move backward through the options.
Alt+Underlined letter   Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.
ENTER   Perform the command for the active option or button.
SPACEBAR   Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Arrow keys   Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.
F4 key   Display the items in the active list.
BACKSPACE   Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts
Right SHIFT for eight seconds   Switch FilterKeys either on or off.
Left Alt+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN   Switch High Contrast either on or off.
Left Alt+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK   Switch the MouseKeys either on or off.
SHIFT five times   Switch the StickyKeys either on or off.
NUM LOCK for five seconds   Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off.
Windows Logo +U   Open Utility Manager.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
END (Display the bottom of the active window)
HOME (Display the top of the active window)
NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Remote desktop connection navigation
Ctrl+Alt+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
Alt+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
Alt+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
Alt+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
Alt+HOME (Display the Start menu)
Ctrl+Alt+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
Alt+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
Ctrl+Alt+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing Alt+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
Ctrl+Alt+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

Article written by MyComputerAid.com