Synopsis: This article provides a comprehensive list of computer keyboard hotkey shortcuts designed to enhance computing efficiency, particularly for individuals with disabilities. By minimizing reliance on mouse navigation, these shortcuts facilitate quicker access to various functions, making computer use more accessible. The article also highlights the 'Sticky Keys' feature, which allows users to press keys sequentially rather than simultaneously - a valuable tool particularly beneficial for people with disabilities, seniors, and those with limited mobility. For instance, pressing 'Shift' five times activates Sticky Keys, enabling easier execution of complex commands. Additionally, the article details essential shortcuts like 'Ctrl + Alt + Delete' for accessing the Task Manager, providing practical solutions for managing unresponsive programs - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
What Are HotKeys?
A computer, or other electronic device, keyboard shortcut, also known as an accelerator key, shortcut key, key binding, keybinding, key combo, etc., is a key, or set of keys, that performs a predefined function. These functions can often be done via some other, more indirect mechanism, such as using a menu, typing a longer command, and/or using a pointing device. By reducing such sequences to a few keystrokes, this can often save the user time, hence "shortcut" and make computing a lot easier for people with disabilities.
Main Content
Certain Hotkeys Can Pressed Simultaneously
For example ctrl + alt + delete will bring up the task manager.
Although there is another way to put sticky keys mode on. One of the fastest ways is to press the "SHIFT" key 5 times. Sticky keys will make it so that you can press one key at a time when doing hotkey combinations instead of having to have all the combined keys pressed down at the same time.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Mostly used in case of emergency.
When the computer has stopped responding you may enter that hotkey combination which will bring you to the task manager.
Once inside the task manager you may choose to end the program that crashed your system, it is normally easy to spot which program is causing problems at the time by seeing the (Not Responding) which floats on the right of the software's name.
For windows Ctrl + Alt + Delete will bring you to another window with several options, in which task manager is included.
List of Commonly Used Windows HotKeys
Hotkeys and Keyboard Shortcuts
Ctrl + Escape or Win : Display start menu.
Shift + F10 or AppsKey : Display context menu.
Win + E : Open Windows Explorer.
Win + R : Open Run dialog.
Win + M : Minimize all windows.
Win + Shift + M : Undo minimize all windows.
Win + D : Toggle minimize all windows.
Win + B (XP only) : Activate system tray. Arrow keys select, Enter double-clicks, and AppsKey or Shift + F10 right-clicks.
Win + L (XP Only) : Locks keyboard. Similar to Lock Workstation.
Win + F or F3 : Open Find dialog. (All Files) F3 may not work in some applications which use F3 for their own find dialogs.
Win + Control + F : Open Find dialog. (Computers)
Win + U : Open Utility Manager.
Win + F1 : Open Windows help.
Win + Pause : Open System Properties dialog.
Win + Tab : Cycle through taskbar buttons. Enter clicks, AppsKey or Shift + F10 right-clicks.
Win + Shift + Tab : Cycle through taskbar buttons in reverse.
Alt + Tab : Display CoolSwitch. More commonly known as the AltTab dialog.
Alt + Shift + Tab : Display CoolSwitch; go in reverse.
Alt + Escape : Send active window to the bottom of the z-order.
Alt + Shift + Escape : Activate the window at the bottom of the z-order.
Alt + F4 : Close active window; or, if all windows are closed, open shutdown dialog.
Shift while a CD is loading : Bypass AutoPlay.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete or Ctrl + Alt + NumpadDel (Both NumLock states) : Invoke the Task Manager or NT Security dialog.
Ctrl + Shift + Escape (XP Only) : Invoke the task manager. On earlier OSes, acts like Ctrl + Escape.
Printscreen : Copy screenshot of current screen to clipboard.
Alt + Printscreen : Copy screenshot of current active window to clipboard.
Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow : Invert screen. (XP).
Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow : Undo inversion.
Generic HotKeys
Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert : Copy.
Ctrl + X or Shift + Delete : Cut.
Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert : Paste/Move.
Ctrl + N : New... File, Tab, Entry, etc.
Ctrl + S : Save.
Ctrl + O : Open...
Ctrl + P : Print.
Ctrl + Z : Undo.
Ctrl + A : Select all.
Ctrl + F : Find...
Ctrl + F4 : Close tab or child window.
F1 : Open help.
F11 : Toggle full screen mode.
Alt or F10 : Activate menu bar.
Alt + Space : Display system menu. Same as clicking the icon on the titlebar.
Escape : Remove focus from current control/menu, or close dialog box.
Enter : If a button's selected, click it, otherwise, click default button.
Space : Toggle items such as radio buttons or checkboxes.
Alt + (Letter) : Activate item corresponding to (Letter). (Letter) is the underlined letter on the item's name.
Ctrl + Left : Move cursor to the beginning of previous word.
Ctrl + Right : Move cursor to the beginning of next word.
Ctrl + Up : Move cursor to beginning of previous paragraph. This and all subsequent Up/Down hotkeys in this section have only been known to work in RichEdit controls.
Ctrl + Down : Move cursor to beginning of next paragraph.
Shift + Left : Highlight one character to the left.
Shift + Right : Highlight one character to the right.
Shift + Up : Highlight from current cursor position, to one line up.
Shift + Down : Highlight from current cursor position, to one line down.
Ctrl + Shift + Left : Highlight to beginning of previous word.
Ctrl + Shift + Right : Highlight to beginning of next word.
Ctrl + Shift + Up : Highlight to beginning of previous paragraph.
Ctrl + Shift + Down : Highlight to beginning of next paragraph.
Home : Move cursor to top of a scrollable control.
End : Move cursor to bottom of a scrollable control.
Generic File Browser - HotKeys
Arrow Keys : Navigate.
Shift + Arrow Keys : Select multiple items.
Ctrl + Arrow Keys : Change focus without changing selection. "Focus" is the object that will run on Enter. Space toggles selection of the focused item.
(Letter) : Select first found item that begins with (Letter).
BackSpace : Go up one level to the parent directory.
Alt + Left : Go back one folder.
Alt + Right : Go forward one folder.
Enter : Activate (Double-click) selected item(s).
Alt + Enter : View properties for selected item.
F2 : Rename selected item(s).
F7 : New folder.
Ctrl + NumpadPlus : In a Details view, resizes all columns to fit the longest item in each one.
Ctrl + Shift while dragging item(s) : Create shortcut(s).
In tree pane, if any:
Left : Collapse the current selection if expanded, or select the parent folder.
Right : Expand the current selection if collapsed, or select the first subfolder.
NumpadAsterisk : Expand currently selected directory and all subdirectories. No undo.
NumpadPlus : Expand currently selected directory.
NumpadMinus : Collapse currently selected directory.
Keyboard - Accessibility Aids
Right Shift for eight seconds : Toggle FilterKeys on and off. FilterKeys must be enabled.
Left Alt + Left Shift + PrintScreen : Toggle High Contrast on and off. High Contrast must be enabled.
Left Alt + Left Shift + NumLock : Toggle MouseKeys on and off. MouseKeys must be enabled.
NumLock for five seconds : Toggle ToggleKeys on and off. ToggleKeys must be enabled.
Shift five times : Toggle StickyKeys on and off. StickyKeys must be enabled.
Microsoft Natural Keyboard - with IntelliType Software Installed.
Win + L : Log off Windows.
Win + P : Open Print Manager.
Win + C : Open control panel.
Win + V : Open clipboard.
Win + K : Open keyboard properties.
Win + I : Open mouse properties.
Win + A : Open Accessibility properties.
Win + Space : Displays the list of Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys.
Win + S : Toggle CapsLock on and off.
Remote Desktop - Connection Navigation
Ctrl + Alt + End : Open the NT Security dialog.
Alt + PageUp : Switch between programs.
Alt + PageDown : Switch between programs in reverse.
Alt + Insert : Cycle through the programs in most recently used order.
Alt + Home : Display start menu.
Ctrl + Alt + Break : Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen.
Alt + Delete : Display the Windows menu.
Ctrl + Alt + NumpadMinus : Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing Alt + PrintScreen on a local computer.
Ctrl + Alt + NumpadPlus : Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PrintScreen on a local computer.
Mozilla Firefox - Browser Shortcuts
Ctrl + Tab or Ctrl + PageDown : Cycle through tabs.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab or Ctrl + PageUp : Cycle through tabs in reverse.
Ctrl + (1-9) : Switch to tab corresponding to number.
Ctrl + N : New window.
Ctrl + T : New tab.
Ctrl + L or Alt + D or F6 : Switch focus to location bar.
Ctrl + Enter : Open location in new tab.
Shift + Enter : Open location in new window.
Ctrl + K or Ctrl + E : Switch focus to search bar.
Ctrl + O : Open a local file.
Ctrl + W : Close tab, or window if there's only one tab open.
Ctrl + Shift + W : Close window.
Ctrl + S : Save page as a local file.
Ctrl + P : Print page.
Ctrl + F or F3 : Open find toolbar.
Ctrl + G or F3 : Find next...
Ctrl + Shift + G or Shift + F3 : Find previous...
Ctrl + B or Ctrl + I : Open Bookmarks sidebar.
Ctrl + H : Open History sidebar.
Escape : Stop loading page.
Ctrl + R or F5 : Reload current page.
Ctrl + Shift + R or Ctrl + F5 : Reload current page; bypass cache.
Ctrl + U : View page source.
Ctrl + D : Bookmark current page.
Ctrl + NumpadPlus or Ctrl + Equals (+/=) : Increase text size.
Ctrl + NumpadMinus or Ctrl + Minus : Decrease text size.
Ctrl + Numpad0 or Ctrl + 0 : Set text size to default.
Alt + Left or Backspace : Back.
Alt + Right or Shift + Backspace : Forward.
Alt + Home : Open home page.
Ctrl + M : Open new message in integrated mail client.
Ctrl + J : Open Downloads dialog.
F6 : Switch to next frame. You must have selected something on the page already, e.g. by use of Tab.
Shift + F6 : Switch to previous frame. Apostrophe ('): Find link as you type.
Slash (/) : Find text as you type.
BBCodes - While text is selected:
Alt + B : Format text in bold.
Alt + I : Format text in italics.
Alt + U : Format text as underlined.
Alt + Q : Format text as a quote.
Alt + C : Format text as code.
Alt + L : Format text as a list.
Alt + O : Format text as an ordered list.
Alt + P : Format url as a hotlinked image.
Alt + W : Format url as a hyperlink.
GMail - Must have "keyboard shortcuts" on in settings.
C : Compose new message.
Shift + C : Open new window to compose new message.
Slash (/) : Switch focus to search box.
K : Switch focus to the next most recent email. Enter or "O" opens focused email.
J : Switch focus to the next oldest email.
N : Switch focus to the next message in the "conversation." Enter or "O" expands/collapses messages.
P : Switch focus to the previous message.
U : Takes you back to the inbox and checks for new mail.
Y : Various actions depending on current view: Has no effect in "Sent" and "All Mail" views.
Inbox : Archive email or message.
Starred : Unstar email or message.
Spam : Unmark as spam and move back to "Inbox."
Trash : Move back to "Inbox."
Any label : Remove the label.
X : "Check" an email. Various actions can be performed against all checked emails.
S : "Star" an email. Identical to the more familiar term, "flagging."
R : Reply to the email.
A : Reply to all recipients of the email.
F : Forward an email.
Shift + R : Reply to the email in a new window.
Shift + A : Reply to all recipients of the email in a new window.
Shift + F : Forward an email in a new window.
Shift + 1 (!) : Mark an email as spam and remove it from the inbox.
G then I : Switch to "Inbox" view.
G then S : Switch to "Starred" view.
G then A : Switch to "All Mail" view.
G then C : Switch to "Contacts" view.
G then S : Switch to "Drafts" view.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note:
Incorporating keyboard shortcuts into daily computer use can significantly enhance productivity and accessibility. For seniors and individuals with disabilities, mastering these shortcuts, along with utilizing features like Sticky Keys, can transform computing from a challenging task into a more manageable and efficient experience. While keyboard accessibility has come a long way, there's still room for improvement in digital design. As technology evolves, it's crucial that developers and designers continue to prioritize keyboard navigation, ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can fully engage with digital content. This ongoing commitment to accessibility not only benefits those with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience for everyone, creating a more inclusive digital landscape
- Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.
•Virtual Reality Treatment for Speech Anxiety: Cambridge research reveals effective, accessible virtual reality therapy for speech anxiety, showing significant confidence gains in a single session.
Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.
Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2009, February 17 - Last revised: 2025, February 27). List of Hotkeys and Computer Keyboard Shortcuts. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved September 10, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/computer/hotkeys.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/computer/hotkeys.php">List of Hotkeys and Computer Keyboard Shortcuts</a>: Navigate without a mouse with this guide to keyboard shortcuts and Sticky Keys that enhance computer accessibility for disabled and elderly.
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.