How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Internet Explorer

Keyboard shortcuts are commands you give your computer or Web browser using the keys on your computer's keyboard instead of your mouse. Keyboard shortcuts are useful if you dislike using a mouse, if you are concerned about carpel tunnel syndrome from repeated clicking with your mouse or if your mouse is broken. These shortcuts offer an alternative route to navigating and using the Internet, even when no mouse is available. Internet Explorer has a very large number of keyboard shortcuts you can use and they are readily available for you to access and learn.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Explorer
• Internet Access
• Computer
• Keyboard

Learn to Use Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Activate your computer and go to Internet Explorer.
2. Go to the 'Help' heading and click on it.
3. Find the 'Index' tab in the 'Help' window and select it.
4. Type in 'Keyboard Shortcuts' into the provided field.
5. Click on 'Display.'
6. Look for the new window to pop up. In this new window, select 'Using Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts,' then click on the 'Display' button.
7. View the 'Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts' menu. There are 10 categories of keyboard shortcuts in this menu. Each category has a list of multiple keyboard shortcuts associated with it. This list provides instructions for performing the keyboard shortcuts associated with that category. To access a list, click on the category you want to view.
8. Print the keyboard shortcut instructions in the 'Help' window by clicking on the 'Options' heading at the top of the 'Help' window, then selecting 'Print.'
9. Memorize the most useful keyboard shortcuts. To go back a page, type Alt + right arrow. To go forward, type Alt + left arrow. To move from field to field on a Web page, use the Tab key. Use the up and down arrows to scroll through the text on a page. Press Ctrl + F to search for a word or phrase within a Web page. To reload the current page, press Ctrl + R or your F5 key.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need additional assistance with how to use keyboard shortcuts with Internet Explorer, go to the Internet Explorer FAQs page (see Resources below).
• Security is at your fingertips with Internet Explorer's phishing filter. This filter comes already installed and enabled and is used to keep would-be hackers and identity thieves from getting hold of your valuable personal information online.
• Use your computer's control panel to check your memory before downloading Internet Explorer. At least 64 MB of memory is required for the program to run.
• Printing the keyboard shortcut instructions for Internet Explorer is the best way to keep them handy and easy to access.
• If you have any version of Internet Explorer other than 7.0, the steps below may not work with your browser.