How to Use Hotkeys in Windows XP

If you're used to using your mouse to navigate around Windows XP, you may be unfamiliar with hot keys. Hot keys are keyboard shortcuts that can help you to access programs and functions in Windows with greater ease. In some cases, when your mouse is unavailable, these keyboard shortcuts will be invaluable. Even when using the mouse is an option, using hot keys can save you time and frustration.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open your favorite word-processing program or text editor. Press CTRL+C to copy selected text. Hold CTRL+X to cut the text. Press CTRL+V to paste it into a field such as the window of your word-processing program. Hold CTRL+Z to undo your last action. Press CTRL+B to bold the text, CTRL+I to italicize it and CTRL+U to underline it.

2. Press CTRL+ESC to open the Start menu. Press F1 for the help program. Hold ALT+TAB to switch between the programs you currently have open on your computer. Hold the ALT key down while you repeatedly press the TAB key until the icon of the program you'd like to use is highlighted. Press ALT+F4 to close the currently selected program.

3. Navigate to the folder whose files you would like to manage. Select a file or files you would like to delete. Hold SHIFT+DELETE to delete them permanently without sending them to the Recycle Bin. Press SHIFT+F10 to open the item's shortcut menu. Press F2 to rename the file. Hit F3 to search for files. Press F4 to navigate to a different folder through the drop-down menu.

4. Press F10 to open the current program's menu bar. Press ALT+SPACE to open the current program's System menu. You can then use this menu to restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize or close the program window. Hold CTRL+TAB to move to the next window in a Multiple Document Interface. This is any program that can have multiple windows or tabs open at the same time. For example, use this hot key to move to the next open tab in Internet Explorer. Press ALT and the underlined letter in a menu item to activate it. For example, hit ALT+F to open the file menu and ALT+E to open the edit menu.

5. Press the Windows Logo button plus R to access the run command. Hold Windows Logo+M to minimize all windows. Press Windows Logo+F to search for files or folders. Hold Windows Logo+TAB to select the next taskbar button.

Resources

• Microsoft Help and Support

[efficientceo]

on 10/13/2009 If you made a simple list of all of the shortcuts, it would be much easier for me to read!