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Reference
Windows

Tip
Dictionary definition and related links on Microsoft Windows.

Windows
1. When referring to
an operating
system, Windowsor
win, is an operating
environment created
byMicrosoft that
provides an interface
known as Graphical
User Interface (GUI)
for IBM compatible
computers. Windows
eliminates the need
for a user to type
each command into
a command line,
likeMS-DOS, by
using a mouse to
navigate throughdrop-down menus, dialog boxes, buttons, tabs, andicons.
Microsoft Windows was first introduced with version 1.0 on November 10, 1983. Since its release,
there have been over a dozen versions of Windows. The most current version of Windows for end
users is Windows 8.1 with a future version of Windows 10.
Shortcut

Microsoft Windows keyboard shortcuts.

Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major Windows shortcut keys for every version of Microsoft Windows. If you
are looking for shortcut keys for specific Windows programs, see our other computer keyboard shortcuts.
General Windows keyboard shortcuts
Windows function key shortcuts
Windows key shortcuts
How to navigate Windows using a keyboard
Other computer keyboard shortcuts

General Windows keyboard shortcuts

Alt + Tab
Switch between open applications in all versions of Windows. Reverse the direction by pressing Alt
+ Shift + Tab at the same time.
Ctrl + Tab
Switches between program groups, tabs, or document windows in applications that support this
feature. Reverse the direction by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Tab at the same time.
Alt + double-click
Display the properties of the object you double-click on in Windows 95 and later. For example, doing
this on a file would display its properties.
Alt + Print Screen
Create a screen shot only for the active program window in all versions of Windows. For example, if
you opened the calculator and did this only the calculator window would be created as a screen shot.
If just the Print Screen key is pressed the whole screen will be made into a screen shot.
Ctrl + Alt + Del
Open the Windows option screen for locking computer, switching user, Task Manager, etc. in later
versions of Windows. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del multiple times will reboot the computer.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Immediately bring up the Windows Task Manager in Windows 2000 and later.
Ctrl + Esc
Open the Windows Start menu in most versions of Windows. In Windows 8 this opens the Start
screen and in Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.
Alt + Esc
Switch between open applications on Taskbar in Windows 95 and later.
Alt + Space bar
Drops down the window control menu for the currently open Windows program in Windows 95 and
later.
Alt + Enter
Opens properties window of selected icon or program in Windows 95 and later.
Shift + Del
Will delete any file or other object without throwing it into the Recycle Bin in Windows 95 and later.
Hold down the Shift key
When putting in an audio or data CD that uses Autoplay, holding down the Shift key will prevent that
CD from playing.

Windows function key shortcuts

Below is a listing of keyboard shortcuts that use the keyboard function keys. See ourwhat are F1
through F12 keys page for a full listing of what function keys do with all other programs.
F1
Activates help for current open application. If you're at the Windows Desktop, this will activate the
help for Windows.

F2
Renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
F3
Starts find or search when at the Windows Desktop in all versions of Windows.
F4
In Windows 95 and later this opens the drive selection or address bar when browsing files
in Windows Explorer.

Pressing Alt + F4 closes the current open program window without a prompt in all versions of Windows.
Pressing Ctrl + F4 closes the open window within the current active window in Microsoft Windows. This only
works in programs that support multiple windows or tabs in the same program window.

F6
While in Windows Explorer, this will move the cursor to different Windows Explorer pane or in
Windows 7 browse available drives.
F8
Pressing F8 over and over as the computer is booting will start the computer in Safe Mode.
F10
Activates the File menu bar in all versions of Windows.

Simulates a right-click on selected item. This is useful if right-click is difficult or impossible using the mouse.

Windows keyboard key shortcuts

Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft Windows 95
or later and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows key is
represented by "WINKEY" and because not all these shortcuts will work in all versions of Windows
we've mentioned what versions of Windows support each Windows key shortcut key.
All versions of Windows
WINKEY
Pressing the Windows key alone opens or hides the Windows Start menu. In Windows 8, this opens
or hides the Start screen.
WINKEY + F1
Open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
WINKEY + Pause / Break key
Open the System Properties window.
WINKEY + D
Opens the Desktop to the top of all other windows.
WINKEY + E
Open Microsoft Windows Explorer.
WINKEY + F
Display the Windows Search or Find feature.
WINKEY + Ctrl + F
Display the search for computers window.
WINKEY + L
Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only).
WINKEY + M

Minimizes all windows.

WINKEY + Shift + M
Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.
WINKEY + R
Open the run window.
WINKEY + U
Open Utility Manager or the Ease of Access Center.
Windows XP only
Windows 7 and 8 only
Windows 8 only
Windows XP only
WINKEY + Tab
Cycle through open programs through the Taskbar.
Windows 7 and 8 only
WINKEY + 1-0
Pressing the Windows key and any of the top row number keys from 1 to 0 opens the program
corresponding to the number of icon on the Taskbar. For example, if the first icon on the Taskbar was
Internet Explorer, pressing WINKEY + 1 would open that program or switch to it if already open.
WINKEY + (Plus (+) or Minus (-))
Open Windows Magnifier and zoom in with the plus symbol (+) and zoom out with the minus
symbol (-).

Press the WINKEY + ESC to close the Magnifier

WINKEY + Home
Minimize all windows except the active window.
WINKEY + P
Change between the monitor and projection display types or how second screen displays computer
screen.
WINKEY + T
Set the focus on the Taskbar icons
WINKEY + Left arrow
Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing.
WINKEY + Right arrow
Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing.
WINKEY + Up arrow
When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size.
WINKEY + Down arrow
Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen
back to a minimized size.
Windows 8 only
WINKEY + ,
Peek at the Windows Desktop.
WINKEY + .
Snap a Windows App to the sides of the screen. Pressing it multiple times will switch between the
right and left-hand side of the screen or unsnap the app.

WINKEY + Enter
Open Windows Narrator
WINKEY + C
Open the Charms.
WINKEY + G
Cycle through Desktop gadgets.
WINKEY + H
Open Share in Charms.
WINKEY + I
Open the Settings in Charms.
WINKEY + J
Switch between snapped apps.
WINKEY + K
Open Devices in Charms.
WINKEY + O
Lock the screen orientation.
WINKEY + X
Open the power user menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would
want to use such as Device Manager, Control Panel, Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and much
more.
History

The history of the Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft Windows history

Year

Event
See the codename definition for a listing of Microsoft codenames.

1983

Bill Gates announces Microsoft Windows November 10, 1983.

1985

Microsoft Windows 1.0 is introduced in November 20, 1985 and is initially sold for $100.00.

1987

Microsoft Windows 2.0 was released December 9, 1987 and is initially sold for $100.00.

1987

Microsoft Windows/386 or Windows 386 is introduced December 9, 1987 and is initially sold for $100.00.

1988

Microsoft Windows/286 or Windows 286 is introduced June, 1988 and is initially sold for $100.00.

1990

Microsoft Windows 3.0 was released May, 22 1990. Microsoft Windows 3.0 full version was priced at $149.95 and t
was priced at $79.95.

1991

Following its decision not to develop operating systems cooperatively with IBM, Microsoftchanges the name of OS/

1991

Microsoft Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.0a with multimedia was released October, 1991.

1992

Microsoft Windows 3.1 was released April, 1992 and sells more than 1 Million copies within the first two months of

1992

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1 was released October, 1992.

1993

Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 was released July 27, 1993.

1993

Microsoft Windows 3.11, an update to Windows 3.1 is released December 31, 1993.

1993

The number of licensed users of Microsoft Windows now totals more than 25 Million.

1994

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 was released February, 1994.

1994

Microsoft Windows NT 3.5 was released September 21, 1994.

1995

Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 was released May 30, 1995.

1995

Microsoft Windows 95 was released August 24, 1995 and sells more than 1 Million copies within 4 days.

1995

Microsoft Windows 95 Service Pack 1 (4.00.950A) is released February 14, 1996.

1996

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 was released July 29, 1996.

TIP23

Quickly scroll to an item in a list or drop down.

Quickly scroll to an item in a list or

drop down
Quickly find text, icon, or other items in a group or list by highlighting one of the icons or clicking on the
list items and pressing the beginning letter. Below are some examples of how to use this tip.

Internet drop down list

Instead of scrolling through a list of options on an Internet drop down list, click the list and then press
the first letter of what you are trying to find. For example, if you wanted to get to "United States" in
the example below click the down arrow and then press U to get to the first item beginning with U,
which in this case is Uganda. If you continued to type "United" it would continue to scroll down as
long as something is matched.
Bonus tip: You can also use the arrow keys to move to the item you want.
TIP27

Print only sections of a web page.

Print only sections of a page

Save on your printer ink by selectively printing in Windows programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel,
Internet Explorer (and other browser), WordPad, Outlook, etc. To do this highlight portions of text you
want to print and click the Print icon or option in the File menu. In the printer dialog window (like the one
shown below) under Page Range choose the option Selection.

TIP31

Windows Snap To feature.

Windows Snap To feature

Enable the Microsoft Window XP mouse Snap To feature to automatically focus ondialog box buttons.
Enabling this feature will automatically move your mouse cursorto the default button on any dialog box
that appears on Windows. This is a great way to save a little time and not have to move you mouse cursor
to the "Ok" button each time a dialog box appears. To enable this feature follow the steps below.
1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Mouse icon
3. In the Mouse Properties window click the Pointer Options tab and check the "Automatically move pointer to
the default button in a dialog box" option.