This is a listing of common shortcut keys supported for versions of Microsoft Windowsxp, vista, .
Some shortcut keys below may not support in all versions of Windows systems.
Most keyboards have a Windows Key (key with a Windows icon). This key provides additional shortcuts for Microsoft Windows. Below is a list of some shortcut keys by combining the Windows key and other keys.
| Shortcut Key | Supported Window Versions | Short Key Description |
| Alt + (double-click) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Open Properties dialog of selected item. |
| Alt + Enter | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Opens properties window of selected item. |
| Alt + Esc | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch Between open tasks available on the taskbar. |
| Alt + F4 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Close the top (focused) window. |
| Alt + Tab | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between open windows. |
| Alt + Tab + Shift | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between open windows, backward. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Delete (or Del) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Bring up the Windows Task Manager, or reboot computer. |
| Ctrl + Esc | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Bring up the Windows Start menu. |
| Ctrl + '+' ('+' key on the keypad) | 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Autofit the widths of all columns (if available) in current window. |
| Ctrl + F4 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Close sub window/tab. |
| Ctrl + Tab | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between existing tabs (within a window). |
| Ctrl + Tab + Shift | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch between existing tabs (within a window), backward |
| F1 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Open Help for Windows or focused application. |
| F2 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Rename. |
| F3 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Find/Search. |
| F4 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Select drives or display the list of drives |
| F5 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Refresh. |
| F6 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch focus to the address bar (if exists). |
| F10 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Switch focus to the top menu bar. |
| Shift + F10 | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Same as mouse right-click on the select item. |
| Print Screen | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Capture a screenshot of the entire desktop to clipboard. |
| Print Screen + Alt | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Capture a screenshot of just the top(focused) window to clipboard. |
| Shift + Delete (or Del) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Permanently delete selected file(s)/folder(s) (bypass recycle bin) |
| Shift (hold while inserting an audio CD to drive) | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Prevent autoplay. |
| * (keypad) on Windows Explorer. | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Expand all sub-directories from the selected item. |
| + (keypad) on Windows Explorer. | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Expand only the first level of selected item. |
| - (keypad) on Windows Explorer. | 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista | Collapse |
Most keyboards have a Windows Key (key with a Windows icon). This key provides additional shortcuts for Microsoft Windows. Below is a list of some shortcut keys by combining the Windows key and other keys.
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
| WINDOWS-KEY | Bring up the Windows Start menu. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + F1 | Bring up the Windows Help. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + e | Open Microsoft Explorer. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + f | Windows Search. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + Ctrl + f | Search for computers |
| WINDOWS-KEY + d | Minimizes all and bring up desktop, or restore all |
| WINDOWS-KEY + l | Lock the computer (Windows XP & newer). |
| WINDOWS-KEY + m | Minimizes all windows. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + Shift + M | Restore all. Opposite with WINDOWS-KEY + M and WINDOWS-KEY + D. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + r | Open the run window. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + u | Utility Manager. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + Tab | Cycle through the programs on task bar. |
| WINDOWS-KEY + Pause/Break | Open the System Properties window. |
