The big list of Windows Vista keyboard shortcuts

General shortcuts

• F1 - Display Help
• 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
• F2 - Rename the selected item
• 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
• F3- Search for a file or folder
• 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
• CTRL+F4 - Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• 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 3-D
• CTRL + Windows logo key + TAB - Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
• ALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
• F6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
• F4 - Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer
• SHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
• CTRL+ESC - Open the Start menu
• 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
• 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

Dialog box shortcuts

• 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

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• 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
• 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

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• 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