Keyboard shortcutsTOP KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSThe following table contains common keyboard shortcuts forWindows8.1Press this keyTo do this

Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)Copy the selected item

Ctrl+XCut the selected item

Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)Paste the selected item

Ctrl+ZUndo an action

Alt+TabSwitch between open apps (except desktop apps)

Alt+F4Close the active item, or exit the active app

Windows logo key+LLock your PC or switch people

Windows logo key+DDisplay and hide the desktop

GENERAL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSThe following table contains general keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows.Press this keyTo do this

F1Display Help

F2Rename the selected item

F3Search for a file or folder

F4Display the address bar list in File Explorer

F5Refresh the active window

F6Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop

F10Activate the Menu bar in the active app

Alt+F4Close the active item, or exit the active app

Alt+EscCycle through items in the order in which they were opened

Alt+underlined letterPerform the command for that letter

Alt+EnterDisplay properties for the selected item

Alt+SpacebarOpen the shortcut menu for the active window

Alt+Left arrowBack

Alt+Right arrowForward

Alt+Page UpMove up one screen

Alt+Page DownMove down one screen

Alt+TabSwitch between open apps (except desktop apps)

Ctrl+F4Close the active document (in apps that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)

Ctrl+ASelect all items in a document or window

Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)Copy the selected item

Ctrl+D (or Delete)Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin

Ctrl+R (or F5)Refresh the active window

Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)Paste the selected item

Ctrl+XCut the selected item

Ctrl+YRedo an action

Ctrl+ZUndo an action

Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-)Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Ctrl+ mouse scroll wheelChange the size of desktop icons or zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Ctrl+Right arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next word

Ctrl+Left arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous word

Ctrl+Down arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph

Ctrl+Up arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Ctrl+Alt+TabUse the arrow keys to switch between all open apps

Ctrl+arrow key (to move to an item)+SpacebarSelect multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop

Ctrl+Shift with an arrow keySelect a block of text

Ctrl+EscOpen the Start screen

Ctrl+Shift+EscOpen Task Manager

Ctrl+ShiftSwitch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available

Ctrl+SpacebarTurn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off

Shift+F10Display the shortcut menu for the selected item

Shift with any arrow keySelect more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document

Shift+DeleteDelete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first

Right arrowOpen the next menu to the right, or open a submenu

Left arrowOpen the next menu to the left, or close a submenu

EscStop or leave the current task

WINDOWS LOGO KEY KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSThe following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key.Press this keyTo do this

Windows logo key+F1Open Windows Help and Support

Windows logo keyDisplay or hide the Start screen

Windows logo key+COpen the Charms

Windows logo key+DDisplay and hide the desktop

Windows logo key+EOpen File Explorer

Windows logo key+FOpen the Search charm and search for files

Windows logo key+LLock your PC or switch people

Windows logo key+MMinimize all windows

Windows logo key+OLock device orientation

Windows logo key+PChoose a presentation display mode

Windows logo key+ROpen theRundialog box

Windows logo key+,Temporarily peek at the desktop

Windows logo key+PauseDisplay theSystem Propertiesdialog box

Windows logo key+numberOpen the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.

Windows logo key+TabCycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key+Ctrl+TabCycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key+Shift+TabCycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

Windows logo key+Ctrl+BSwitch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area

Windows logo key+Up arrowMaximize the window

Windows logo key+Down arrowRemove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window

Windows logo key+Left arrowMaximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen

Windows logo key+Right arrowMaximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen

Windows logo key+HomeMinimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)

Windows logo key+SpacebarSwitch input language and keyboard layout

Windows logo key+EnterOpen Narrator

Windows logo key+plus (+) or minus (-)Zoom in or out using Magnifier

Windows logo key+EscExit Magnifier

DIALOG BOX KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSThe following table contains keyboard shortcuts that you can use in dialog boxes.Press this keyTo do this

F1Display Help

F4Display the items in the active list

Ctrl+TabMove forward through tabs

Ctrl+Shift+TabMove back through tabs

Ctrl+number(number 1-9)Move tonth tab

TabMove forward through options

Shift+TabMove back through options

Alt+underlined letterPerform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter

SpacebarSelect or clear the check box if the active option is a check box

BackspaceOpen a folder one level up if a folder is selected in theSave AsorOpendialog box

Arrow keysSelect a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

FILE EXPLORER KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSThe following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with File Explorer windows or folders.Press this keyTo do this

Alt+DSelect the address bar

Ctrl+ESelect the search box

Ctrl+FSelect the search box

Ctrl+NOpen a new window

Ctrl+WClose the current window

Ctrl+mouse scroll wheelChange the size and appearance of file and folder icons

Ctrl+Shift+EDisplay all folders above the selected folder

Ctrl+Shift+NCreate a new folder

Num Lock+asterisk (*)Display all subfolders under the selected folder

Num Lock+plus (+)Display the contents of the selected folder

Num Lock+minus (-)Collapse the selected folder

Alt+PDisplay the preview pane

Alt+EnterOpen thePropertiesdialog box for the selected item

Alt+Right arrowView the next folder

Alt+Up arrowView the folder that the folder was in

Alt+Left arrowView the previous folder

BackspaceView the previous folder

Right arrowDisplay the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder

Left arrowCollapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in

EndDisplay the bottom of the active window

HomeDisplay the top of the active window

F11Maximize or minimize the active window

MAGNIFIER KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSThe following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Magnifier.Press this keyTo do this

Windows logo key+plus (+) or minus (-)Zoom in or out

Ctrl+Alt+SpacebarPreview the desktop in full-screen mode

Ctrl+Alt+DSwitch to docked mode

Ctrl+Alt+FSwitch to full-screen mode

Ctrl+Alt+IInvert colors

Ctrl+Alt+LSwitch to lens mode

Ctrl+Alt+RResize the lens

Ctrl+Alt+arrow keysPan in the direction of the arrow keys

Windows logo key+EscExit Magnifier

WINDOWS HELP VIEWER KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSThe following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with the Help viewer.Press this keyTo do this

F3Move the cursor to the search box

F10Display the Options menu

HomeMove to the beginning of a topic

EndMove to the end of a topic

Alt+Left arrowMove back to the previously viewed topic

Alt+Right arrowMove forward to the next (previously viewed) topic

Alt+HomeDisplay the Help and Support home page

Alt+ADisplay the customer support page

Alt+CDisplay the Table of Contents

Alt+NDisplay the Connection Settings menu

Ctrl+FSearch the current topic

Ctrl+PPrint a topic

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for rearranging modern apps.Keep the Windows logo keypressed down continuously while you're rearranging apps, from the moment you enter rearrange mode and through all the various rearrange commands. When you're done rearranging, release your finger from the Windows logo keyto select the current arrangement.Press this keyTo do this

Windows logo key+. (period)Enter rearrange mode and select apps or dividers across monitors

Windows logo key+left arrowMove app divider left

Windows logo key+right arrowMove app divider right

Windows logo key+up arrowMaximize app

Windows logo key+down arrowClose app

Windows logo key+EscExit rearrange mode