Keyboard shortcuts ( hotkeys ) can save time and
make life easier when using applications, they are achieved by pressing
a combination of keys, normally holding down the CONTROL (CTRL)
key and pressing another key, then letting go of the CONTROL (CTRL)
key, most applications (programs) have built in keyboard shortcuts
often referred to as HOTKEYS. Windows ® XP contains many of
these keyboard shortcuts ( hotkeys ), and if you know how to utilise
them, they can make Windows ® XP easier to use and more productive.
Below is a selection of these for use in Microsoft Windows XP®
Keyboard Shortcuts Result
in Windows ® XP - General
CTRL and A -Selects all the items in the active window.
CTRL and C -Copies the item or items to the Clipboard and can be
pasted using CTRL and V.
CTRL and F -Displays the Find all files dialog box.
CTRL and G -Displays the Go to folder dialog box.
CTRL and N -Displays the New dialog box.
CTRL and O -Displays the Open dialog box.
CTRL and P -Displays the Print dialog box.
CTRL and S -Displays the Save dialog box.
CTRL and V -Pastes the copied item or items from the Clipboard.
CTRL and X -Cuts the item or items selected to the Clipboard.
CTRL and Z -Undoes the last action.
CTRL and F4 -Closes the active document window.
CTRL while dragging an item -Copy the selected item
CTRL+SHIFT with arrow keys -Highlight a block of text
CTRL+F4 -Close the active document
CTRL+ESC -Display the Start menu
CTRL and F6 -Opens the next document window in the active application.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyboard Shortcuts Result in Windows ®
XP - General
ALT+ENTER -View the properties for the selected item
ALT+F4 -Close the active item, or quit the active program
ALT+SPACEBAR -Open the shortcut menu for the active window
ALT+TAB -Switch between the open items
ALT+ESC -Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keyboard Shortcuts Result in Windows ®
XP - General
F1 key -Gives help on the active window or selected item.
F2 key -Rename the selected item
F3 key -Search for a file or a folder
F4 key -Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
F5 key -Update the active window
F6 key -Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the
desktop
F10 key -Activate the menu bar in the active program
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyboard Shortcuts Result in Windows ®
XP - General
Windows Logo -Display or hide the Start menu
Windows Logo+BREAK -Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows Logo+D -Display the desktop
Windows Logo+M -Minimize all of the windows
Windows Logo+SHIFT+M -Restore the minimized windows
Windows Logo+E -Open My Computer
Windows Logo+F -Search for a file or a folder
CTRL+Windows Logo+F -Search for computers
Windows Logo+F1 -Display Windows Help
Windows Logo+ L -Lock the keyboard
Windows Logo+R -Open the Run dialog box
Windows Logo+U -Open Utility Manager
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyboard Shortcuts Result in Windows ®
XP - Dialogue Box
TAB -Move forward through the options
SHIFT+TAB -Move backward through the options
CTRL+TAB -Move forward through the tabs
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB -Move backward through the tabs
ALT+Underlined letter -Perform the corresponding command or select
the corresponding option
ENTER -Perform the command for the active option or button
SPACEBAR -Select or clear the check box if the active option is
a check box
F1 key -Display Help
F4 key -Display the items in the active list
Arrow keys -Select a button if the active option is a group of option
buttons
BACKSPACE -Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in
the Save As or Open dialog box
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyboard Shortcuts Result in Windows
® XP - Windows Explorer
END -Display the bottom of the active window
HOME -Display the top of the active window
NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) -Display all of the subfolders that are
under the selected folder
NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) -Display the contents of the selected folder
NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) -Collapse the selected folder
LEFT ARROW -Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or
select the parent folder
RIGHT ARROW -Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or
select the first subfolder
If advertisements are opening on your computer
in a window titled Messenger Service, it may indicate that your
system is not secure. You should enable the Internet Connection
Firewall and disable the Messenger Service in Windows XP to help
protect your computer from unwanted spam and other potential threats.
Note Although the name of the service is similar, Messenger Service
in Windows XP is not related to instant messaging programs such
as Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger.
To disable the Messenger Service in Windows XP (Caution: If your
computer is part of a corporate network, talk to your system administrator
before taking this action.)
Click Start and then
click Control Panel
Click Performance and Maintenance.
(If you do not see the Performance and Maintenance icon, you may be
using Classic View. You can skip to step 3 below, but you must double-click
Administrative Tools.)
Click Administrative
tools
Double-click Services as
shown in Figure above.
Double-click Messenger.
In the Startup type
list, choose Disabled as shown in Figure
below