Windows Short Cut Keys
Helping you to use Windows faster and more efficiently

Introduction
Shortcut keys (also known as accelerator keys or keyboard shortcuts) provide easier, and usually quicker, methods of using features within programs.

Shortcut keys are usually a combination of the <ALT>, <CTRL>, and/or the Windows Key <WIN> in conjunction with another key, often a letter. They are considerably quicker to use than moving the mouse and clicking and can help to reduce mouse-strain.

In this guide we have used the notation <Control><B> to indicate that the control key should be pressed, and held, then the B key pressed and released, and then the control key released.

In addition, many programs have their own specific shortcut keys.

The most common example is the use of <ALT> and then the underlined letter to select menu items without using a mouse.

The example to the right demonstrates how pressing <ALT> + F brings up the File Menu in Microsoft Word. Once the menu has appeared the underlined letters can be used to select the required features. <ALT> + F, <ALT> + N creates a new file.

Many programs also display their specialised shortcuts by the menu items. In the example you can see how you can print in Word by pressing <CTRL> + P. Watching out for these, and learning as you go, speeds up your use of applications and reduces the amount of time spent fiddling with your mouse.

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