Table of Contents
This updated guide examines Touching: How to Learn Common Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.
Method 1of 4:
In Windows Explorer Shortcuts
Open Windows Explorer by touching⊞Win+E.
Open the Run Dialog box by touching⊞Win+R.
Make the Accessibility Utility Manager/Ease of Access Center show up by touching⊞Win+U.
Make the Desktop show from any window by touching⊞Win+D.
Open the Search Window by touching⊞Win+F3together.
Lock the computer by touching⊞Win+L.
Minimize all windows by touching⊞Win+M.
Focus your keyboard on the taskbar by touching⊞Win+B.
- Tap Tab to switch between sections.
Open the System Properties windows by touching⊞Win+Pause.
- (Same as "My Computer --> Properties).
Make a pop-up show with the icons of the currently running application by holdingAltand hittingTab↹once.
- While holdingAlthitTab↹again and again to highlight the application. Release Alt to switch to the application.
Switch applications. Switch between any applications running on your screen by touchingAlt+Esc.
Close application or shut-down a pop-up window. You can close the active window by touchingAlt+F4.
UseF1key to access the Help menu for Windows. This main key can be used in any application or Windows software to enable the help menu for the program.
UseF2to rename a file.
Make the address bar drop-down by pressingF4.
Refresh the screen by pressingF5.
Expand the directory tree of the selected folder in Windows Explorer by pressingNum⇩+*keys together.
Collapse the directory tree of the selected folder in Windows Explorer by pressing theNum⇩+-.
Open the Start Menu by touchingCtrl+Esc.
Open the Windows Task Manager. Open the Task Manager from anywhere by touchingCtrl+⇧Shift+Esc.
Learn another shortcut to make the computer shutdown. This keyboard shortcut is⊞Win+U, then hitU+↵Enteragain.
- This will only work on Windows XP.
Access the Developer Tools(view the webpage in html, css, etc) by touching theF12key.
Method 2of 4:
In Internet Browsers
Open a new tab withCtrl+T.
Open a new window withCtrl+N.
PressAlt+Dto select the the internet page address in the address bar (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Safari).
PressF4to view the most recently visited websites in the drop down box of the address bar (Internet Explorer only).
Method 3of 4:
In Applications
Make text bold withCtrl+B, italicized withCtrl+I, and underlined withCtrl+U(these do not work in Notepad).
Use⇱Homeor⇲Endto go the beginning or end of a line of text, respectively. AddCtrlto either of these keys to go the beginning or end of the document.
Change the font size. You can change font size by selecting the text and pressing eitherCtrl+>orCtrl+<. Note that this font sizing tip does not work in Notepad.
Save a document by pressingCtrl+S. This is common in just about any application, including Microsoft Word and Notepad.
- Or you may pressF12for the Save-As selection on most applications. This also applies for most applications.
Method 4of 4:
Miscellaneous
Press⇧Shift, then drag the mouse over the files that you want to select, to select multiple files at once. Alternatively you can holdCtrland click on each file individually.
- Ctrl+ASelect All

- Ctrl+C- Copy.

- Ctrl+X- Cut

- Ctrl+V- Paste

- Ctrl+Z- Undo

- Ctrl+Y- Redo

- Ctrl+ASelect All
FAQ
What is Touching: How to Learn Common Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows about?
It provides a structured overview of touching, explains the main context, and highlights practical takeaways for readers.
Why does this topic matter?
Understanding the main concepts helps readers evaluate the issue, avoid common mistakes, and make better-informed decisions.
How should readers use this information?
Use the guidance as a practical starting point, confirm details that may have changed, and follow current product, safety, or security recommendations.
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