Shortcut Keys are a must know skill for any tech or digital practitioner. Keyboard shortcuts can come in handy when certain computer peripherals fail in the course of your working on a computer. For example, a simple malfunction of a mouse or touchpad can result in your inability to save your project. In that scenario, what keyboard shortcuts skills should you employ to save the situation?
Below, are some of the keyboard shortcuts you need to know and practice so that they become part of your working ethics in the day-to-day activities as you interact with your computer. Remember to effectively use this combination of shortcut keys; you will need to start practicing their use progressively until you inculcate their usage and applications.
There are shortcuts meant for use with a keyboard; others can be used in windows operating systems, while others can be used in Microsoft word processing environment. The list is not conclusive as there are many other shortcut keys not covered here in this article.
Keyboard shortcut keys | |
Shortcut | Action |
Alt + Print Screen | This creates screenshot for the current program in session. |
Shift + Tab | It switches backwards between open applications |
Ctrl + Alt + Del Reboot/Windows® | Opens up the task manager |
Ctrl + Esc | Brings up the start menu |
Alt + Esc | Enables the switch between applications on the taskbar |
F2 | Used when you want to rename a selected icon |
F3 | Starts find from desktop |
F4 | Opens the drive selection when browsing |
F5 | Used to refresh contents |
Alt + F4 | Used to close current open program |
Ctrl + F4 | Closes window in a program |
Ctrl + Plus Key | Used to automatically adjust column widths in Windows Explorer |
Alt + Enter | Open properties window of selected icon or program |
Shift + F10 | It simulates right-click function on selected item |
Shift + Del | Used to permanently delete programs/files |
Holding Shift During Bootup | Boots the computer in safe mode or bypass system files |
WINDOWS KEY SHORTCUTS | |
Shortcut | Action |
WINKEY + D | Brings desktop to the top of other windows |
WINKEY + M | Minimize all windows |
WINKEY + SHIFT + M | Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D |
WINKEY + E | Opens the Microsoft Explorer window |
WINKEY + Tab | Cycle through open programs on taskbar |
WINKEY + F | It displays the Windows search/Find feature |
WINKEY + CTRL + F | Displays the search for computers window |
WINKEY + F1 | It displays the Microsoft® Windows® help |
WINKEY + R | Opens the run window |
WINKEY + Pause /Break | Opens the system properties window |
WINKEY + U | Opens the utility manager |
WINKEY + L | Locks the computer |
Windows XP & Later Outlook Shortcuts Keys | |
Shortcut | Action |
Alt + S | The action is used to send the email |
Ctrl + C | Used to copy selected text |
Ctrl + V | For pasting selected text in Ctrl + c above or Ctrl + X below |
Ctrl + X | Cuts selected text for pasting |
Ctrl + P | Open print dialog box |
Ctrl + K | Complete name/email typed in address bar |
Ctrl + B | Bolds any highlighted selection |
Ctrl + I | Italicize any highlighted selection |
Ctrl + U | Underline highlighted selection |
Ctrl + R | Actions reply to an email |
Ctrl + F | Actions Forward of an email |
Ctrl + N | Creates a new email |
Ctrl + Shift + A | Creates a new appointment to your calendar |
Ctrl + Shift + O | Open the outbox |
Ctrl + Shift + I | Open the inbox |
Ctrl + Shift + K | Add a new task |
Ctrl + Shift + C | Create a new contact |
Ctrl + Shift+ J | Create a new journal entry |
Ctrl + I | Italicize highlighted selection |
WORD® Shortcut keys | |
Shortcut | Action |
Ctrl + A | Select all contents of the page |
Ctrl + B | Bold highlighted selection |
Ctrl + C | Copy selected text |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected text |
Ctrl + N | Open new/blank document |
Ctrl + O | Open options |
Ctrl + P | Open the print window |
Ctrl + F | Open find box |
Ctrl + I | Italicize highlighted selection |
Ctrl + K | Insert link |
Ctrl + U | Underline highlighted selection |
Ctrl + V | Paste |
Ctrl + Y | Redo the last action performed |
Ctrl + Z | Undo last action |
Ctrl + G | Find and replace options |
Ctrl + H | Find and replace options |
Ctrl + A | Select all contents of the page |
Ctrl + B | Bold highlighted selection |
Ctrl + C | Copy selected text |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected text |
Ctrl + N | Open new/blank document |
Ctrl + O | Open options |
Ctrl + P | Open the print window |
Ctrl + J | Justify paragraph alignment |
Ctrl + L | Align selected text or line to the left |
Ctrl + Q | Align selected paragraph to the left |
Ctrl + E | Align selected paragraph to the center |