Windows XP in a Nutshell

Keyboard Accelerators Listed by Function

Table C-8 lists keys that operate in most contexts — i.e., on the Desktop, in the Explorer, and within most applications and dialogs. Functions are listed alphabetically, except where a logical order might make more sense.

Note also that there are essentially a limitless combinations of keystrokes that can be used to activate any particular feature in a given application, all of which can be formed by combining the various keystrokes listed in this appendix. For example, you can press Alt-F to open an application’s File menu, then press P to Print, then press Enter to begin printing. Or, press Ctrl-Esc to open the Start menu, Alt-Enter to open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, Ctrl-Tab to open the Taskbar tab (if necessary), and Alt-L to lock (or unlock) the Taskbar

Table C-8. Keyboard accelerators listed by function

Key(s)	Action
Shift (while inserting CD)	AutoPlay, disable temporarily
Spacebar	Checkbox, toggle on or off
Ctrl-C	Clipboard, copy
Alt-PrintScreen	Clipboard, copy current window as a bitmap
PrintScreen	Clipboard, copy entire screen as a bitmap
Ctrl-X	Clipboard, cut
Ctrl-V	Clipboard, paste
Ctrl-F4	Close current document
Alt-F4	Close current window
Esc	Close dialog box, message window, or menu
Spacebar	Command button, click
Shift-F10, or context menu key on some keyboards	Context menu, open
Tab (hold Shift to go in reverse)	Controls, cycle focus on a dialog box
Ctrl-C	Copy selected item or selected ...