Vista Tutorial - Keyboard shortcuts

Information

This is a list of every single keyboard shortcut in Vista. For more on this, see: Windows Help and How-to: Keyboard Shortcuts

• How to Underline Keyboard Shortcuts in Vista
• How to Turn the Toggle Keys Beep Alert On or Off in Vista
• How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in Vista
• How to Use Sticky Keys in Vista
• How to Disable and Enable Windows Hotkeys in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Auto-Hide for Vista Explorer Full Screen F11

• Right SHIFT for eight seconds - Turn Filter Keys on and off
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (or PRTSCRN) - Turn High Contrast on or off
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK - Turn Mouse Keys on or off
• SHIFT five times - Turn Sticky Keys on or off
• NUM LOCK for five seconds - Turn Toggle Keys on or off
• Windows logo key +U - Open the Ease of Access Center

• 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 (or select the option) that goes with that letter
• ENTER - Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
• 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
• F1 - Display Help
• F4 - 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

• F1 - Display Help
• F2 - Rename the selected item
• F3 - Search for a file or folder
• F4 - Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer
• CTRL+F4 - Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• F5 - Refresh the active window
• F6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
• F10 - Activate the menu bar in the active program
• SHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
• 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
• 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 with an arrow key - Select a block of text
• SHIFT with any arrow key - Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
• CTRL with any arrow key+SPACEBAR - Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
• CTRL+A - Select all items in a document or window
• 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
• 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 3D
• CTRL+Windows logo key +TAB - Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3D
• ALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
• CTRL+ESC - Open the Start menu
• ALT+underlined letter - Display the corresponding menu
• ALT+underlined letter - Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)
• 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
• ALT+UP ARROW - View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
• ESC - Cancel the current task
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC - Open Task Manager
• SHIFT when you insert a CD - Prevent the CD from automatically playing

• Windows logo key - Open or close the Start menu
• Windows logo key +PAUSE - Display the System Properties dialog box
• Windows logo key +D - Display the desktop
• Windows logo key +M - Minimize all windows
• Windows logo key +SHIFT+M - Restore minimized windows to the desktop
• Windows logo key +E - Open Computer
• Windows logo key +F - Search for a file or folder
• CTRL+Windows logo key +F - Search for computers (if you are on a network)
• Windows logo key +L - Lock your computer or switch users
• Windows logo key +R - Open the Run dialog box
• Windows logo key +T - Cycle through programs on the taskbar
• Windows logo key +TAB - Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
• CTRL+Windows logo key +TAB - Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
• Windows logo key +SPACEBAR - Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
• Windows logo key +G - Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
• Windows logo key +U - Open Ease of Access Center
• Windows logo key +X - Open Windows Mobility Center
• Windows logo key with any number key - Open the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the position that corresponds to the number.
  Example: Windows logo key +1 to launch the first shortcut in the Quick Launch menu.

General shortcuts:

• F11 - Turn Full Screen Mode On or Off
• TAB - Cycle through the Address Bar, Refresh button, Search Box, and items on a web page
• CTRL+A - Select all items on the page
• CTRL+F - Find a word or phrase on a page
• CTRL+N - Open the current webpage in a new window
• CTRL+P - Print the page
• CTRL+PLUS - Zoom in
• CTRL+MINUS - Zoom out
• CTRL+0 - Zoom to 100%

Navigation shortcuts:

• ALT+HOME - Go to home page
• ALT+LEFT - Go backward
• ALT+RIGHT - Go forward
• F5 - Refresh page
• CTRL+F5 - Refresh page and the cache
• ESC - Stop downloading page

Favorites Center shortcuts:

• CTRL+B - Organize Favorites
• CTRL+D - Add current page to Favorites
• CTRL+H - Open History
• CTRL+SHIFT+H - Open History in pinned mode
• CTRL+I - Open Favorites
• CTRL+SHIFT+I - Open Favorites in pinned mode
• CTRL+J - Open Feeds
• CTRL+SHIFT+J - Open Feeds in pinned mode

Tab shortcuts:

• CTRL+left mouse button - Open link in new background tab
• CTRL+SHIFT+left mouse button - Open link in new foreground tab
• CTRL+W - Close tab (closes window if only one tab is open)
• CTRL+Q - Open Quick Tab view
• CTRL+T - Open new tab
• CTRL+TAB - Switch to next tab
• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB - Switch to previous tab

Address Bar shortcuts:

• ALT+D - Select the Address Bar
• ALT+ENTER - Open the website address that is typed in the Address Bar in new tab
• F4 - View list of previously typed addresses

Instant Search Box:

• CTRL+E - Select the Instant Search Box
• CTRL+DOWN - View list of search providers
• ALT+ENTER - Open search results in new tab

• Windows logo key +T - Cycle through live previews on the Taskbar
• Windows logo key + TAB - Cycle through programs on the Taskbar with Flip3D (Aero) enabled
• CTRL+ Windows logo key + TAB - Use arrow keys to cycle through programs on the Taskbar with Flip3D (Aero) enabled

• CTRL+N - Open a new window
• END - Display the bottom of the active window
• HOME - Display the top of the active window
• F11 - Maximize or minimize the active window
• NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) on numeric keypad - Display all subfolders under the selected folder
• NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN (+) on numeric keypad - Display the contents of the selected folder
• NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad - Collapse the selected folder
• LEFT ARROW - Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folder
• ALT+LEFT ARROW - View the previous folder
• RIGHT ARROW - Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder
• ALT+RIGHT ARROW - View the next folder
• CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel - Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
• ALT+D- Select the Address bar
• ALT+UP ARROW - Go up one level in an Explorer window

• ALT+C - Display the Table of Contents
• ALT+N - Display the Connection Settings menu
• F10 - Display the Options menu
• ALT+LEFT ARROW - Move back to the previously viewed topic
• ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
• ALT+A - Display the customer support page
• ALT+HOME - Display the Help and Support home page
• HOME - Move the to beginning of a topic
• END - Move to the end of a topic
• CTRL+F - Search the current topic
• CTRL+P - Print a topic
• F3 - Move to the Search box

Main window and view message window:

• CTRL+M - Send and receive
• CTRL+N - Open or post new message
• CTRL+SHIFT+B - Open contacts
• DELTE or CTRL+D - Delete message
• CTRL+R - Reply to message author
• CTRL+SHIFT+R or CTRL+G - (newsgroups only) Reply to all
• CTRL+F - Forward message
• CTRL+SHIFT+F - Find message
• CTRL+P - Print message
• CTRL+> - Go to next message
• CTRL+< - Go to previous message
• ALT+ENTER - View selected message’s properties
• CTRL+U - Go to next unread message
• CTRL+SHIFT+U - Go to next unread newsgroup conversation

Main window

• CTRL+O or ENTER - Open selected message
• CTRL+ENTER or CTRL+Q - Mark as read
• TAB - Move between message list, Folders list, and Preview pane
• CTRL+W - Go to a newsgroup
• Left arrow or + - Expand newsgroup conversation
• Right arrow or – - Collapse newsgroup conversation
• CTRL+SHIFT+A - Mark all newsgroup messages read
• CTRL+SHIFT+M - Download newsgroup messages for offline reading
• CTRL+I - Go to Inbox
• CTRL+Y - Go to a folder
• F5 - Refresh newsgroup messages and headers

Message window

• ESC - Close message
• F3 or CTRL+SHIFT+F - Find text
• F7 - Check spelling (when sending)
• CTRL+SHIFT+S - Insert signature (when sending)
• CTRL+ENTER or ALT+S - Send message or post to newsgroup
• CTRL+TAB - Switch among Edit, Source, and Preview tabs in Source Edit view

Audio:

• Ctrl+M - Go to Music
• Ctrl+R - Rip CD
• Ctrl+Shift+C - Turn on or off closed captioning
• Ctrl+Shift+F - Fast-forward song
• Ctrl+Shift+P - Play audio file or song
• F8 - Mute volume
• F9 - Decrease volume
• F10 - Increase volume

DVDs:

• Ctrl+Shift+M - Go to DVD menu
• Arrow keys - Change DVD angle
• Ctrl+Shift+B - Rewind
• Ctrl+Shift+F - Fast-forward
• Ctrl+Shift+P - Play
• Ctrl+Shift+S - Stop
• Ctrl+Shift+A - Change DVD audio selection
• Ctrl+U - Change DVD subtitle selection

General Commands:

• Ctrl+B - Skip backward or replay selection
• Ctrl+F - Skip forward or move to next selection
• Ctrl+P - Pause current activity

Pictures:

• Ctrl+I - Go to Pictures
• Ctrl+Shift+P - Play slide show
• Ctrl+Shift+S - Stop slide show
• Down arrow or Right arrow - Skip to next picture
• Up arrow or Left arrow - Skip back to previous picture
• Enter - Zoom a picture

Radio:

• Ctrl+A - Go to Radio
• Ctrl+Shift+P - Resume playing radio
• Ctrl+Shift+S - Stop live radio

TV:

• Ctrl+G - Go to guide
• Ctrl+O - Go to Recorded TV
• Ctrl+R - Record TV show
• Ctrl+Shift+B - Rewind TV (recorded or live)
• Ctrl+Shift+F - Fast-forward TV (recorded or live)
• Ctrl+Shift+S - Stop recording or stop playing TV
• Ctrl+Shift+P - Resume playing TV
• Ctrl+T - Go to live TV
• Page Down - Previous channel
• Page Up - Next channel

Videos:

• Ctrl+E - Go to Videos
• Ctrl+Shift+B - Rewind
• Ctrl+Shift+F - Fast-forward
• Ctrl+Shift+S - Stop

• CTRL+1 - Switch to full mode
• CTRL+2 - Switch to skin mode
• CTRL+B - Play the previous item
• CTRL+F - Play the next item
• CTRL+E - Move the focus to the search box in the library
• CTRL+H - Turn shuffle on or off
• CTRL+M - Show or hide the Classic Menus (menu bar) in full mode
• CTRL+N - Create a playlist
• CTRL+O - Open a file
• CTRL+P - Play or pause a file
• CTRL+S - Stop playback
• CTRL+SHIFT+B - Rewind video
• CTRL+SHIFT+C - Turn captions and subtitles on or off
• CTRL+SHIFT+F - Fast forward through video or music
• CTRL+SHIFT+G - Play faster than normal speed (time compression)
• CTRL+SHIFT+N - Play at normal speed
• CTRL+SHIFT+S - Play slower than normal speed (time expansion)
• CTRL+T - Repeat the playlist
• CTRL+W - Close or stop playing a file
• F1 - Open Help
• F2 - Edit media information on a selected item in the library
• F3 - Add media files to the library
• F5 - Refresh information in the panes
• F6 - Increase the size of album art
• SHIFT+F6 - Decrease the size of album art
• F7 - Mute the volume
• F8 - Decrease the volume
• F9 - Increase the volume
• F10 - Show the Classic Menus (menu bar)
• F11 - Switch to full-screen mode

• J - Move back one frame
• K - Pause the playback
• L - Move forward one frame
• I - Set the start trim point
• O - Set the end trim point
• M - Split a clip
• HOME - Stop and rewind all the way back to the start trim point
• ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Advance to the next frame
• ALT+LEFT ARROW - Go back to the previous frame
• CTRL+K - Stop and rewind playback
• CTRL+P - Play from the current location
• HOME - Move the start trim point
• END - Move to the end trim point
• PAGE UP - Seek to nearest split point before the current location
• PAGE DOWN - Seek to nearest split point after the current location

• CTRL+F - Open the Fix pane
• CTRL+P - Print the selected picture
• ENTER - View the selected picture at a larger size
• CTRL+I - Open or close the Details pane
• CTRL+PERIOD (.) - Rotate the picture clockwise
• CTRL+COMMA (,) - Rotate the picture counter-clockwise
• F2 - Rename the selected item
• CTRL+E - Search for an item
• ALT+LEFT ARROW - Go back
• ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Go forward
• PLUS SIGN (+) - Zoom in or resize the picture thumbnail
• MINUS SIGN (-) - Zoom out or resize the picture thumbnail
• CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel - Change the size of the picture thumbnail
• CTRL+B - Best fit
• LEFT ARROW - Select the previous item
• DOWN ARROW - Select the next item or row
• UP ARROW - Previous item (Easel) or previous row (Thumbnail)
• PAGE UP - Previous screen
• PAGE DOWN - Next screen
• HOME - Select the first item
• END - Select the last item
• DELETE - Move the selected item to the Recycle Bin
• SHIFT+DELETE - Permanently delete the selected item

• Windows logo key +SPACEBAR - Bring all gadgets to the front and select Sidebar
• Windows logo key +G - Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
• TAB - Cycle through Sidebar controls