Keyboard Accelerators Listed by Function

Table B-8 lists keys that operate in most contexts—in other words, on the Desktop, in the Explorer, and within most applications and dialogs. Functions are listed alphabetically, except where a logical order might make more sense.

Note also that there is essentially a limitless combination of keystrokes that you can use to activate any particular feature in a given application, all of which you can form by combining the various keystrokes listed in this appendix. For example, you can press Alt-F to open an application’s File menu, then press P to Print, then press Enter to begin printing. Or press Ctrl-Esc to open the Start menu, Alt-Enter to open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, Ctrl-Tab to open the Taskbar tab (if necessary), and Alt-L to lock (or unlock) the Taskbar.

Table B-8. Keyboard accelerators listed by function

Key(s)

Action

Space bar

Checkbox, toggle on or off

Ctrl-C

Clipboard, copy

Alt-PrintScreen

Clipboard, copy current window as a bitmap

PrintScreen

Clipboard, copy entire screen as a bitmap

Ctrl-X

Clipboard, cut

Ctrl-V

Clipboard, paste

Ctrl-F4

Close current document

Alt-F4

Close current window

Esc

Close dialog box, message window, or menu

Space bar

Command button, click

Shift-F10, or context menu key on some keyboards

Context menu, open

Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)

Controls cycle focus on a dialog box

Ctrl-C

Copy selected item or selected text to the Clipboard

Ctrl-X

Cut selected ...

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