Last Update: Sep 17, 2024 | Published: Jan 07, 2009
How can I quickly open Windows Explorer in Windows XP? What keyboard shortcuts do you know?
In Windows XP, as in other Windows Operating Systems, you can use shortcut keys as an alternative to the mouse. You can open, close, and navigate the Start menu, desktop, menus, dialog boxes, and Web pages using keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts may also make it easier and sometimes a lot faster for you to interact with your computer.
See the following tables for some of the most useful shortcuts:
Press | To |
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. |
You can use the following keyboard shortcuts with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key ÿ and the Application key
.
Press | To |
ÿ | Display or hide the Start menu. |
ÿ +BREAK | Display the System Properties dialog box. |
ÿ +D | Show the desktop. |
ÿ +M | Minimize all windows. |
ÿ +Shift+M | Restores minimized windows. |
ÿ +E | Open Windows Explorer. |
ÿ +F | Search for a file or folder. |
CTRL + ÿ + F | Search for computers. |
ÿ +F1 | Display Windows Help. |
ÿ +L | Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. |
ÿ +R | Open the Run dialog box. |
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. | |
ÿ +Q | VERY FAST user switching! |
ÿ +U | Open Utility Manager. |
Notes:
Press | To |
TAB | Move to the next control in the dialog box |
SHIFT+TAB | Move to the previous control in the dialog box |
CTRL+TAB | Move forward through tabs. |
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB | Move backward through tabs. |
SPACEBAR | If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a check box, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option. |
ENTER | Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline) |
ESC | Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button |
ALT+ underlined letter in dialog box item | Move to the corresponding item |
Arrow keys | Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. |
F1 | Display Help. |
F4 | Display the items in the active list. |
Command | Program |
compmgmt.msc | Computer management |
devmgmt.msc | Device manager |
diskmgmt.msc | Disk management |
dfrg.msc | Disk defrag |
eventvwr.msc | Event viewer |
eventvwr.execomputername | View the Event Log at a remote computer |
fsmgmt.msc | Shared folders |
gpedit.msc | Group policies |
lusrmgr.msc | Local users and groups |
perfmon.msc | Performance monitor |
rsop.msc | Resultant set of policies |
secpol.msc | Local security settings |
services.msc | Various Services |
msconfig | System Configuration Utility |
regedit | Registry Editor |