Shortcuts for Objects, Folders, and Windows Explorer

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This appendix summarizes the shortcuts that are built into Windows 95 for using the keyboard and mouse to quickly accomplish common actions.

The following brief procedures and tables summarize the standard shortcuts for working with objects in the Windows 95 user interface, including folders on the desktop and Windows Explorer.

On This Page

To copy a file
General Keyboard-Only Commands
Accessibility Shortcuts
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Keys

To copy a file

  • Press CTRL while you drag the file to a folder.

To create a shortcut

  • Press CTRL+SHIFT while you drag the file to the desktop or a folder.

To close the current folder and all its parent folders

  • Press SHIFT and click the Close button on the folder.

To tab through pages in a properties dialog box

  • Press CTRL+TAB or CTRL+SHIFT+TAB.

To switch between opening a new window and closing an existing window

  • Press CTRL and double-click a folder.

    If you have more than one window open, this operation closes the active window. If you have only one window open, this operation opens a new window.

To bypass Auto-Run when inserting a compact disc

  • Press SHIFT while inserting the compact disc.

Shortcut

Action

F2

Rename

F3

Find

CTRL+X

Cut

CTRL+C

Copy

CTRL+V

Paste

DEL key

Delete

SHIFT+DEL

Delete file immediately without putting it in Recycle Bin

ALT+ENTER

Display properties

ALT+double-click

Display properties

CTRL+click the right mouse button

Place alternative commands on the context menu (Open With)

SHIFT+double-click

Explore an object; if the object does not have an Explore command, this starts the default action (usually the Open command)
Shortcuts for Managing Folders and Windows Explorer

Shortcut

Action

F4

In Windows Explorer, display the combo box and move the input focus to the list

F5

Refresh display

F6

In Windows Explorer, move the focus between panes

CTRL+G

In Windows Explorer, choose the Go To command

CTRL+Z

Undo

CTRL+A

Select All

BACKSPACE

Go to the parent folder
Shortcuts in the Windows Explorer Tree

Shortcut

Action

* on numeric keypad

Expand everything under the selection

+ on numeric keypad

Expand the selection

– on numeric keypad

Collapse the selection

RIGHT ARROW

Expand the current selection if it is not expanded; otherwise, go to the first child

LEFT ARROW

Collapse current selection if it is expanded; otherwise, go to the parent

CTRL+arrow key

Scroll without moving the selection
Shortcuts in the Common Open and Save dialog boxes

Shortcut

Action

F4

Display the Look In list

F5

Refresh the view

BACKSPACE

Go to the parent folder if the focus is on the View window

General Keyboard-Only Commands

The following table shows commands for completing actions from the keyboard.

Shortcut

Action

F1

Start Help

F10

Go to menu mode

SHIFT+F10

Display context menu for selected item

CTRL+ESC

Display Start menu and move the focus to the taskbar

CTRL+ESC, ESC

Move the focus on the taskbar so you can use TAB and then SHIFT+F10 for context menu, or use TAB and arrow key to change tasks, or use TAB to go to the desktop

ALT+TAB

Switch to the next running application

ALT+M

When the focus is on the taskbar or desktop, minimize all windows and move the focus to the desktop

ALT+S

When no windows are open and no items are selected on the desktop, display the Start menu; then use arrow keys to select menu commands

Accessibility Shortcuts

The following table summarizes the Windows 95 shortcuts for Accessibility features. For information about these features, see Appendix I, "Accessibility."

Shortcut

Action

Press SHIFT 5 times

Toggle StickyKeys on and off

Press RIGHT SHIFT for 8 seconds

Toggle FilterKeys on and off

Press NUMLOCK for 5 seconds

Toggle ToggleKeys on and off

Press LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+NUMLOCK

Toggle MouseKeys on and off

Press LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+PRINTSCREEN

Toggle HighContrast on and off

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Keys

The following table summarizes the shortcut keys available on the Microsoft Natural Keyboard™.

Shortcut

Action

WIN+R

Display Run dialog box

WIN+M

Minimize All

SHIFT+WIN+M

Undo Minimize All

WIN+F1

Start Help

WIN+E

Start Windows Explorer

WIN+F

Find files or folders

CTRL+WIN+F

Find computer

WIN+TAB

Cycle through taskbar buttons

WIN+BREAK

Hot key to display System properties dialog box