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Shortcut Keys for Windows and Microsoft Applications

Shortcut keys provide users with a quick and easy way to navigate and use computer software. In most cases shortcuts are a combination of the Ctrl, Alt, and/or Shift key in combination with a letter. These shortcuts are time savers and saves users from using the mouse as often. Today's tip will include examples of many shortcuts, and information on where to look for the shortcut keys in the many software packages we use every day.

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Shortcut Keys - An Introduction

To interpret how a shortcut key works remember that a "+" sign means "hold down the first key while pressing the second key". For example, Ctrl+C is telling users to hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the C key.

Below users will find several examples of shortcut keys sorted by software title. In addition to these shortcuts, users can find shortcuts to most software programs by looking for underlined letters in their pull-down menus. In the example below from Outlook Exchange 2003, to send an email, users can hold down the Alt+S to send the message. Also notice the s on the "Send" button is underlined.

In many cases only a letter is underlined. Notice however, that the shortcut keys for the Address Book show Ctrl+Shift+B. If there are no keys listed, then use "Alt+" the underlined letter.

These shortcuts come from the following site: Computer Hope.com. They are just a sampling of shortcut keys. If users like using shortcut keys, check out this web site for many more examples.

Shortcut Keys that will work with almost all Windows computers and software programs:

Shortcut Keys------Description

Ctrl + X--------------Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C--------------Copy selected item.
Ctrl + V----------------Paste
Ctrl + Home--------Goes to beginning of document.
Ctrl + End-----------Goes to end of document.
Ctrl + Left arrow----Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow--Moves one word to the right at a time.

Microsoft Windows Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Keys--------Description

Alt + Tab---------------Switch between open applications.
Alt + Print Screen----Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.
Ctrl + Alt + Del--------Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.
F5------------------------Refresh Contents.

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

These shortcuts use the WINKEY

Shortcut Keys-----Description

WINKEY + D------Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
WINKEY + M-----Minimizes all windows.
WINKEY + L------Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).

Outlook Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Keys--------Description

Alt + S-----------------Send the e-mail
Ctrl + K----------------Complete the name and/or e-mail being typed in the e-mail address bar.
Ctrl + R---------------Reply to an e-mail.
Ctrl + N---------------Create a new e-mail.
Ctrl + Shift + A--------Create a new appointment to your calendar.
Ctrl + Shirt + C-------Create a new contact.

This is just a taste of what is available at Computer Hope.com. Users will find more shortcut keys for all of the above categories, as well as for MS Word and MS Excel.