A Keyboard Shortcut is typically an alternate means for invoking one or more commands that would otherwise be accessible only through a menu.
Using Windows keyboard shortcuts is a quick and straightforward way of using Windows without using the mouse. Keyboard shortcuts are generally two or more keys used for invoking the command.Â
Many Professionals use only keyboard shortcuts to access any commands.
On the request of one of the readers, “I am looking for shortcut commands for Windows as well as for Firefox Browser. Could you post on that?”
Today, it’s just ridiculous to use a mouse for every basic task like copying, pasting, saving a file, etc.
Besides that, most laptop and notepad users prefer to use the keyboard rather than a mouse pad or TouchPad.
Below is the list of Windows, IE, Firefox, and Chrome Hotkeys categorized as follows:
- Windows Generic HotKeys
- Essential HotKeys
- Programs (Applications) Hotkeys
- Function Keys (F1 to F11)
- Internet Explorer Hotkeys
- Firefox Hotkeys
- Chrome Hotkeys
In Windows Hotkey, Windows key + other keys are used to invoke windows function or application i.e. window logo 
+ other keys. This generally helps to perform all windows functions.
Note: Here Win refers to Windows Logo keys on your keyboard…
| Win + L | Locks Workstation. |
| Win + F1 | Open Windows Help. |
| Win + F3 Or F | Open Find Dialog. |
| Win + B | Move focus to system tray icons. |
| Win + D | Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop |
| Win + E | Open My Computer. |
| Win + F | Open Find Files & Folder Window. |
| Win + L | Locks Workstation. (Lock Pc) |
| Win + M | Minimize all windows. |
| Win + R | Run dialog box |
| Win + U | Open Utility Manager. |
| Win + Pause Break | Open System Properties dialog. |
| Win + Tab | Cycle through taskbar buttons. (Switches between applications) |
| Win + Shift + Tab | Cycle through taskbar buttons in reverse. |
| Win + Ctrl + F | Find computer |
These Essential Hotkeys are important hotkeys that can help you to get your work done quickly & easily. For e.g. To select multiple files, Bypass the Autoplay function, etc.
| CTRL + Alt + Delete, CTRL + Alt + Numpad, CTRL + Shift + Esc | Open Or Display Task Manager |
| Hold Ctrl And Select Files | Select Multiple files by holding down Ctrl and select the files |
| Ctrl + Shift | Open a folder while pressing Ctrl+Shift. The text label for files and folders will be hidden. Open the same folder and press the same keys again to get the text label back. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Down | Invert the screen, the Entire Screen Display will turn Up Side Down. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Up | Undo Inversion, Back To Normal Screen. |
| Shift + Delete | This will directly delete the file and bypass recycle bin. (To Delete Permanently) |
| Hold Shift | When loading CD/DVD Hold Down Shift To Bypass Autoplay. |
| Hold Shift While Login | When you log in to Windows hold down Shift which will bypass the startup program which is in the startup folder but not the program listed in the Registry |
| ALT+Underlined letter | Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option |
| Alt + Enter | Display properties dialog box. Select drive or file and press Alt + Enter. |
| Print Screen | Press Print Screen to capture the entire screen and paste it into Paint. |
| ALT + Print Screen | If we need only to capture the window or dialog box, not the whole entire screen then use this to capture the current window. |
Windows Programs Hotkeys are shortcuts that are common among all applications or programs in Windows. For e.g. To Copy, Paste, Bold, Save, Close Window, etc.
| CTRL + A | Selects all the files in active Window |
| CTRL + C Or CTRL + Insert | Copy any file or text. |
| CTRL + X Or SHIFT + Delete | Cut any file or text. |
| CTRL + V Or SHIFT + Insert | Paste the copied files. |
| CTRL + Z | Undo Any Action (Reverse the action you have done). |
| CTRL + Y | Redo any Action. |
| CTRL + B | Makes Text Bold. |
| CTRL + I | Makes Text Italic. |
| CTRL + U | Makes Text Underline. |
| CTRL + F | Display Find Dialog Box. |
| CTRL + G | Display Goto Dialog Box |
| CTRL + N | Open New Dialog Box or Create New File |
| CTRL + O | Displays the Open dialog box. |
| CTRL + P | Displays the Print dialog box. |
| CTRL + S | Displays the Save dialog box. |
| CTRL+ESC | Display the Start menu. |
| CTRL + F4 | Close any active window or Program or Application or Shutdown Pc. |
| CTRL + W | Close Active Window. |
Many think Function keys Hotkeys are useless but they are not. Below is the list of all the function keys from F1 To F11.
| 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 |
| F11 key | Toggle full-screen mode. |
Listed all the Internet Explorer hotkeys. Although many basic hotkeys are similar in browsers of IE and Firefox.
| Alt + Enter | Add the default prefix “:http://www” & “.com”. Put Address of website like cnet on Address bar directly and press Alt and Enter. |
| CTRL+B | Open the Organize Favorites dialog box. |
| CTRL+O | Open the Open dialog box. |
| CTRL+F | Start the Find utility. |
| CTRL+I | Open Find utility. |
| CTRL+H | Open the History bar. |
| CTRL+L | Open the Open dialog box. |
| CTRL+P | Open the Print dialog box. |
| CTRL+R | Toggle full-screen mode. |
| CTRL+R | Update the current Web page. |
| CTRL+W | Close the current window. |
Firefox Hotkeys are shortcuts used in the Firefox browsers giving an ability to use Firefox without the mouse. Below is the list for all the Firefox Hotkeys.
| Ctrl + N | Open New Window |
| Ctrl + T | Open New Tab. |
| Ctrl + W | Close the Current Tab. |
| F5 | Refresh The Page |
| Esc | Stop The Page From Loading |
| F5 key | Update the active window |
| End | Go To the Bottom Of the Page |
| Home | Go To the top Of the Page |
| Ctrl + P | Print the Page |
| Ctrl + u | Page Sources |
| Ctrl And + | Zoom In |
| Ctrl And – | Zoom out |
| Ctrl and 0 | Zoom Reset |
| Ctrl + F | Find |
| Alt + Enter | Add the default prefix “:http://www” & “.com”.Put Address of website like cnet on Address bar directly and press Alt and Enter. |
Below is the list of all essential Chrome Hotkeys.
| Ctrl + N | Open New Window |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Open Incognito Mode |
| Ctrl + T | Open New Tab. |
| Ctrl + W | Close the Current Tab. |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Open last closed Tab |
| Ctrl + PgDn | Navigate to the next Tab |
| Ctrl + PgUp | Navigate to the previous Tab |
| Ctrl + J | Open Download Page |
| Esc | Stop The Page From Loading |
| F5 key | Update the active window |
| End | Go To the Bottom Of the Page |
| Home | Go To the top Of the Page |
| Ctrl + P | Print the Page |
| Ctrl + u | Page Sources |
| Ctrl And + | Zoom In |
| Ctrl And – | Zoom out |
| Ctrl and 0 | Zoom Reset |
| Ctrl + F | Find |
| Alt + Enter | Add the default prefix “:http://www” & “.com”.Put Address of website like cnet on Address bar directly and press Alt and Enter. |
Kindly let us know if any of the above shortcuts are not working. If you have any suggestions or any queries, please mention them in the below comment section.
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Thanks it very usefull
I love shortcuts!!!
thanks
awesome post.specially the trick key u gave above for inverting screen and vanish the text of files.I tried and worked and today i m going to spook my friend with this….
thanks
i m not new with this hotkeys..But i m surprised there are lot of cool hotkeys that even i don't known .such as task manager can be done with ctrl+alt+numpad dot and also professional trick key i didn't known this.
thanks for this great article…
techie inspire rocksxxx
I’m really impressed with your article, such great information you mentioned here, thanks for your sharing and waiting to see your future posts.
very great stuff short keywords for quick action really it is very helpful for profession who are are working online
thanks keep doing up dude
Really wonderful piece of information and I appreciate it that you share something so useful with the readers of this blog.
Thanks for this information..all your shortcuts are very important.
Mmm for myself, I don't really use keywords shortcut. I think mouse more comfortable. but keyboard really help if we want to have job done fast.
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This is an amazing resource for people. I will be recommending this to many of our clients. Great job!
This is going in by bookmarks. Back in the day when we didn't have mice you had to know these by heart. They can you save you tons of time in most situations.
I know some of those shortcut keys but honestly, i didn't know the other few until i found your post! thank you!
i like shortcuts because they saves our time now i know some more shorcuts please keep sharing this type of stuffs.
wow, what a comprehensive list you have here. I recently did a similar post on one of my blogs, I think i'd be updating my list with some of the great shortcuts you have here. Thanks for sharing.
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