What keyboard shortcut is to select all? We increase the speed of working at the computer. Useful keyboard shortcuts and system commands "Start - Run"

When using a computer, the user performs most of the operations using the mouse, but in many cases it is impossible to do without using the keyboard. Text is typed using a keyboard, this is understandable, but to control a computer, a keyboard is also necessary.

To perform many operations on a computer or in programs, so-called “hot” keys are used. These keys, or a combination of several simultaneously pressed keys, perform certain commands that are necessary to perform any actions on the computer.

Most hotkeys perform the same actions in all versions of the Windows operating system. For new versions of the operating system, for example, for Windows 8.1, new hotkeys have been added for more convenient control of the new interface of this operating system.

This article does not list all the hotkeys in Windows, there are a lot of them. I tried to select the most commonly used keys on the keyboard, which are used to perform various actions on the computer. In many cases, performing certain actions using the keyboard takes significantly less time than performing the same action using the mouse.

You can check this statement, for example, by opening a document in any text editor. After pressing the keyboard keys “Ctrl” + “P”, the document will be immediately sent for printing. And when using a mouse, you will first need to enter the corresponding program menu, and then in the context menu that opens, select the command to print this document. In this case, the gain in time when using keyboard keys is obvious.

Keyboard keys are conventionally divided into 4 classes:

Alphanumeric block - typewriter keys.
Service keys are keyboard keys that control keyboard input.
Function keys (“F1” – “F12”) - the functions of a specific key will depend on the application currently in use.
Additional keyboard. This part of the keyboard is located on the right side of the keyboard. It is used to enter numbers and to control the computer. The operating mode is switched using the “Num Lock” key.

You can read about how to control a computer from the keyboard, without using a mouse.

Service keys

Service keys are designed to perform the following actions:

Enter - input. Execution of any command, depending on the task currently being performed.
Esc (Escape) - stop or cancel the action being performed.
Caps Lock - enable the so-called capital letter mode. When you hold down this button, the entered text will be typed in capital letters.
Num Lock - enable the numeric keypad.
Page Up - scroll the page up.
Page Down - scroll the page down.

Backspace (←) - deletes the last character.
Del (Delete) - deleting an object.
Ins (Insert) - used for insertion and creation.
Home - goes to the beginning (left edge) of the line.
End - goes to the end (right edge) of the line.
Tab - This key is used to switch between window elements without using the mouse.
Print Screen - this key is used to take a screenshot of the monitor screen.

Keyboards widely use the “Ctrl (Conrtol)”, “Alt (Alternate)” and “Shift” keys, as they are often called modifier keys, which are used in conjunction with other keys to perform necessary actions.

Additional keys

These are relatively “new” keys that were introduced into the keyboard by keyboard manufacturers for more convenient computer control. These are the so-called Windows keys (keys with an image of the operating system logo), keys for controlling the computer's power, and multimedia keys.

Here are some keyboard shortcuts that perform actions when using the Win key (Windows):

Win - opens and closes the Start menu.
Win + Pause/Break - opens the System control panel window.
Win + R - opens the Run window.

Win + D - show and hide the Desktop.
Win + M - minimize open windows.
Win + Shift + M - open previously minimized windows.
Win + E - launch Explorer.
Win + F - opens the Search window.
Win + Space (Space) - when you click on these buttons, you can view the Desktop.
Win + Tab - switch between running applications.
Win + L - block the computer or change users.

Popular hotkeys

Other most commonly used keys and keyboard shortcuts:

Alt + Shift - switch language.
Ctrl + Esc - open the Start menu.
Alt + Tab - switch between running programs.
Alt + F4 - closes the current window or exits any program.
F1 - Windows Help.
F10 - activate the menu bar.
Ctrl + O - open a document (in any program).
Ctrl + W - close the document (in any program).
Ctrl + S - save the document (in any program).
Ctrl + P - print a document (in any program).
Ctrl + A - select the entire document (in any program).
Ctrl + C - copy a file or selected part of a document to the clipboard.
Ctrl + Insert - copy a file or selected part of a document to the clipboard.

Ctrl + X - cut a file or selected part of a document to the clipboard.
Ctrl + V - paste a file or selected part of a document from the clipboard.
Shift + Insert - insert a file or selected part of a document from the clipboard.
Ctrl + Z - undo the last action.
Ctrl + Y - repeat the undone action.
Del (Delete) - deleting an object to the Trash.
Ctrl + D - deleting an object to the Trash.
Shift + Del - deletes an object from the computer without placing it in the Recycle Bin.
F2 - rename the selected object.
Alt + Enter - properties of the selected object.
Shift + F10 - opens the context menu for the selected object.
F5 - refreshes the active window.
Ctrl + R - refreshes the active window.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc - launch Task Manager.

Keyboard shortcuts in Explorer

Some keyboard shortcuts for working in Explorer:

Ctrl + N - opens a new window.
Ctrl + W - close the window.
Ctrl + Shift + N - create a new folder.
Ctrl + Shift + E - view all folders in which the selected folder is located.

Keyboard shortcuts in Windows 8.1

Windows 8 supports some additional keyboard shortcuts that are designed to better control the new features of this operating system.

Some keyboard shortcuts in the Windows 8.1 operating system:

Win + C - opens the "miracle" buttons.
Win + F - opens the “miracle” Search button to search for files.
Win + H - opens the “miracle” button “Sharing”.
Win + K - opens the “miracle” button “Devices”.
Win + I - opens the “miracle” button “Options”.
Win + O - fixes the screen orientation state (portrait or landscape).
Win + Q - opens the “miracle” “Search” button to search for data in all or one open program.
Win + S - opens the "miracle" Search button to search Windows and the Internet.
Win + W - open the “miracle” button “Search” to search for parameters.
Win + Z - displays the commands available in this application (if the program has such commands and parameters).
Win + Tab - switch between recently used applications.
Win + Print Screen - take and save a screenshot.
Win + F1 - call help.
Win + Home - minimizes or restores all windows of running applications.
Win + Space (Space) - switches the keyboard layout to another language.
Win + Ctrl + Space – return to the previous keyboard layout.
Win + plus sign (+) - zoom in using Magnifier.
Win + minus sign (–) - zoom out using Magnifier.
Win + Esc - exit the screen magnifier.
Win + U - launches the Ease of Access Center application.

Conclusions of the article

Using hot keys on a computer can significantly speed up the execution of practical tasks, saving the user time. In some cases, when working, using the keys on the keyboard is more convenient than performing similar actions using the mouse.

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The Win button, which can be found on the keyboard of PC-compatible computers, serves not only to open the Start menu. Using it in combination with other keys simplifies your computer work and saves a lot of time.

website I have compiled a list of features of this button that will surely be useful to every Windows user.

⊞Win- open/close the Start menu, in Windows 8.1 - open the previous window;
⊞ Win + A- open Notification Center (in Windows 10);
⊞ Win + B- select the first icon in the notification area (then you can switch between icons using the arrow keys);
⊞ Win + Ctrl + B- switch to a program that displays a message in the notification area;
⊞ Win + C- show the “Charm Bar” sidebar (in Windows 8 and 8.1), in Windows 10 - call Cortana (when using a supported language);
⊞ Win + D- show desktop (instantly minimize all open windows);
⊞ Win + E- open “Explorer”; in Windows 10, it opens the “Quick Access Toolbar” by default;
⊞ Win + F- open “File Search”;
⊞ Win + Ctrl + F- open “Search for computers”;
⊞ Win + G- show gadgets on top of all windows (only in Windows 7 and Vista); Open Game Bar in Windows 10;
⊞ Win + K- open a new Start menu - “Connections” (in Windows 8 and 8.1);
⊞ Win + L- change the user or block the workstation;
⊞ Win + M- minimize all windows;
⊞ Win + ⇧ Shift + M- restore windows after minimizing;
⊞ Win + O- disable screen rotation (disable reaction to the gyroscope on tablets);
⊞ Win + P- switch operating modes with an external monitor/projector (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + Q- open the search bar for installed programs (tested in Windows 8);
⊞ Win + R- open the “Run” window;
⊞ Win + T- switch focus to the taskbar (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + U- open the Accessibility Center;
⊞ Win + W- open Windows Ink Workspace (notes, screenshot);
⊞ Win + X- open the Windows Mobile Application Center (only for mobile computers in Windows Vista and 7);
⊞ Win + Y- open Yahoo! Messenger (if installed).

⊞ Win + Pause- open system properties;
⊞ Win + F1- open Windows Help and Support Center;
⊞ Win + 1 ... 0- launch/switch to the program pinned to the taskbar with the specified serial number (only in Windows Vista and later);
⊞ Win + ⇧ Shift + 1 ... 0- launch a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar with the specified serial number (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + Ctrl + 1 ... 0- switch to the last active program window pinned to the taskbar with the specified serial number (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + Alt +1 ... 0- open the jump list for the program pinned to the taskbar with the specified sequence number (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win +- maximize the window (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + ↓- restore/minimize the window (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + ← or →- switch the window expansion mode (including between monitors in multi-monitor configurations) (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + ⇧ Shift + ← or →- move a window between monitors in multi-monitor configurations (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + ⇧ Shift + or ↓- stretch the active window from the top to the bottom edges of the screen / restore the window size;
⊞ Win + Home- minimize/restore all unminimized windows except the active one (Windows 7 only), go to the top of the web page;
⊞ Win + Space- look at the desktop (Windows 7 only) / change layout (Windows 8 and 10 only);
⊞ Win + +- activate screen magnifier / enlarge the image by 100% (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + -- with Magnifier active, zoom out the image by 100% (only in Windows 7 and later);
⊞ Win + Esc- disable Magnifier (only in Windows 7 and later).

OS X keyboard

Command + Up Arrow- instantly scroll up any web page.
Command + Down Arrow- instantly scroll down any web page.
Command + 1 (2, 3). Use these keys to conveniently switch between any open tabs in your browser. Command + 1 will take you to the first tab, Command + 2 will take you to the second, etc.
Option + Delete- will remove words one at a time, rather than one letter at a time. This works on all OS X, whether you're typing in TextEdit or even typing a website into your browser's URL bar.
Command+H- quickly hide all open windows from the currently active application.
Command + Shift + T- instantly open the last closed tab in your browser.
Option + Shift + Volume Up / Volume Down- Increase or decrease volume in much smaller increments.

Ctrl + Command + Space- displays a keyboard with symbols and emoji.

Ctrl or Control key is a special key on a computer keyboard. It is usually not used alone, but in combination with other keys.

Location of the Ctrl key on the keyboard

Keyboard shortcuts with Ctrl in Windows

Ctrl Keyboard Shortcuts and other keys - the most frequently used in the Windows operating system. These include working with the clipboard and canceling an operation. The Control key is conveniently located on the keyboard and this makes it quite convenient for performing various utility functions in programs and operating systems. Most of these combinations are used not only in Windows, but also in other operating systems: Linux, FreeBSD, MacOS. Most of the so-called hotkeys are implemented specifically with the Ctrl key.

Ctrl + C shortcut

This key combination is used to copy a selected object or text to the Windows clipboard. In console applications, this combination is used to force the program to terminate (analogous to Ctrl + Break). In Linux and BSD console applications, this key combination is used to exit the program.

Ctrl + X shortcut

The common function of this keyboard shortcut is to cut an object or text to the clipboard. When editing text, this will remove the text from the source and place it on the clipboard. When working with files, this key combination will not delete the object until it is pasted somewhere else. If you cut a file and then copy another object to the clipboard, the original file will remain in place.

Ctrl + V shortcut

When you press the Ctrl + V key combination, an object or text from the clipboard is pasted. In the case of a file, if it was previously cut, this file will be deleted from the destination folder.

Ctrl + B combination

When editing text, this keyboard shortcut is used to make the selected text bold.

Ctrl + N combination

Typically, pressing Ctrl and N at the same time creates a new object.

Ctrl + Z combination

One of the most useful key combinations is canceling an operation. People make mistakes and Control + Z allows you to undo recent operations. Unfortunately, this only works when editing a document and does not work for the file system. Although there is a Recycle Bin for the file system.

Ctrl + D combination

This combination is used in browsers to bookmark a page.

Ctrl + Esc combination

Combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc

This is one of the system key combinations. Used to open Windows Task Manager.

Ctrl + Insert combination

Using this key combination is similar to combinations Ctrl + C.

Old Soviet computers had an analogue of the Ctrl key. It was called UPR. It was used to perform the same functions as the Ctrl key.

Ctrl key on Macs

On Apple computers, the Ctrl key functions as the Command key. It is used for approximately the same thing.

Key code

When you click on left Ctrl key scancode 14 is sent, and when F0 is released 14. When you press right Ctrl key scancode E0 14 is sent, and when F0 is released, E0 14 is sent.

Probably, every user on his way to the heights of computer mastery asks the questions: How can I speed up the system? How to make work more comfortable? And here numerous “registry tweaks”, tweaks, boosters and optimizers come into play. Some users, caught up in this process, even gain the very valuable experience of reinstalling a system that has been optimized to death.

But now let's leave such entertainment for a while and try to look at the problem from the other side. Completely different. For example, two people have cars (no, not Pentiums or Athlones, but the cars they drive). These two people get behind the wheel and race. And it turns out that one of them drives faster. You can, of course, say that his car is more powerful. But let's put them behind the same cars. Somebody will go faster anyway. Because he CAN drive fast. It’s the same with those machines that are computers. Someone barely presses the buttons, performing one useful action in five minutes. And for some, their fingers simply flutter over the keyboard, windows on the screen change at such a speed that less experienced users do not even have time to understand what is happening.

So, we conclude: in order to increase the productivity of your communication with a computer, you need to master the means of this very communication. What means do we have? Mouse and keyboard. There are not so many buttons on the mouse, and their purpose is immediately clear. But the keyboard... A bunch of keys, usually 105 or 106, and if everything is clear with letters and numbers, then with the rest of the keys it’s not so simple. But there are also key combinations! Even an advanced user may not know some of the secrets here.
Let's say right away that any self-respecting computer scientist should master the ten-finger touch typing method. Why so categorical? Simple arithmetic: how many times a day do you have to press keys on your keyboard? We can assume that quite a lot, even if you do not type several sheets of text, but limit yourself to typing Internet addresses in your favorite browser or entering a network password. Count how much time you spend looking down at the keyboard, finding the right key, placing your finger on it and pressing it. Now imagine how much shorter this procedure will be if you don’t have to look at the keyboard and search for the right key. To train a blind ten-finger finger, it takes a week or two of daily lessons for several hours. And for the rest of your life, you will gain the ability to work with a keyboard much faster and, undoubtedly, more comfortably than before. Draw your own conclusions.

Now let's figure out WHAT you need to press, or, simply put, what key combinations there are and what you can do with them. Windows Help says: "When using Windows, use keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse. Using keyboard shortcuts, you can open, close, and navigate the Start menu, the desktop, various menus and dialog boxes, and web pages. Using shortcuts keys will make it easier to interact with the computer." And this is undoubtedly the truth.

Now let's finally get down to business and start studying these very combinations. The first table shows the most commonly used ones. If you still don't use them, get them on board immediately.

Note for complete novice users: the "+" sign between the key designations means that these keys should be pressed together, and in the order in which they are indicated. So, for example, if you see the message “press CTRL+C,” this means that you need to first press the CTRL key, and then, without releasing it, press the C key and then release them in the reverse order. If you press the C key first, and then CTRL, something completely different from what you intended will happen...

Key combinations. Table 1

Combination	Action
CTRL+C, CTRL+INS	Copy
CTRL+V, SHIFT+INS	Insert
CTRL+X	cutting
SHIFT+DEL	When working with text - cutting, when working with files - deleting without placing in the trash
CTRL+Z	Undo last action
Hold down CTRL while dragging an element	Copying a dragged element
Hold down CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an element	Create a shortcut for a dragged element
F2	Rename a selected object
CTRL + RIGHT ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
CTRL + LEFT ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL + DOWN ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL + UP ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
CTRL + SHIFT with any arrow	Selecting a paragraph
SHIFT with any arrow	Select multiple items in a window or desktop, or select text in a document
CTRL+A	Select all
F3	Open search window
ALT+ENTER, ALT+double click	Launching the properties window for the selected object
ALT+F4	Close active window
ALT + SPACEBAR	Open the system menu of the active window
ALT+minus	Open the system menu of a child window in a program that allows simultaneous work with several windows
CTRL+F4	Close the active document in a program that allows simultaneous work with several documents
ALT+TAB	Go to next window
ALT+SHIFT+TAB	Go to the next window in the opposite direction
ALT+F6	Moving to the next document in a program that allows simultaneous work with several documents
ALT+ESC	Switch between items in the order they were opened
F6	Switch between screen elements in a window or desktop
F4	Display the address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
SHIFT+F10	Open the context menu for the selected element
CTRL+ESC	Opening the Start menu
ALT + underlined letter in menu title	Display the corresponding menu
Underlined letter in open menu command name	Execute the appropriate command
F10	Activating the menu bar of the current program
F5	Refresh the active window
BACKSPACE	View a folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. When working with text, delete the character to the left of the cursor."
DELETE	When working with files, delete the file to the trash. When working with text, delete the character to the right of the cursor
ESC	Cancel current action
SHIFT when inserting a CD into the drive	Refusal of automatic start

Now let's see what you can do with the keyboard in dialog boxes.

Key combinations. Table 2

For those who prefer to work with Windows Explorer, the following table will be useful, which shows ways to work with the directory tree.

Key combinations. Table 3

Combination	Action
Up and down arrows	Navigating the Explorer Tree
END and HOME	Move to the bottom and top position of the tree respectively
"*" (asterisk) on the numeric keypad. Num Lock enabled	Display all folders subfolders of the selected directory
Plus sign on the numeric keypad. Num Lock enabled	Expands the selected branch
Minus sign on the numeric keypad. Num Lock enabled	Collapses the selected branch
Left arrow	Collapses the selected branch, or branches to the parent branch
Right arrow	Expands the selected branch, or navigates to the first subfolder

Among other things, your keyboard most likely has special keys that open up additional options. These are the Windows key, the context menu key, and the Turbo or Fn key. The Turbo key (aka Fn) in combination with the F11 key locks the keyboard. And, accordingly, it unlocks by pressing the same combination again. The purpose of the context menu button is clear from its name. As an alternative, you can use the combination SHIFT+F10. For those who have not yet understood: using this button, they call up the context menu, that is, the menu that is usually called up by right-clicking on an object.

Now let's look at the Windows key.

Key combinations. Table 4

Combination	Action
Win	Opens the "Start" menu
Win+D	Minimizes windows, press again - maximizes them
Win+M	Minimizes windows except dialog ones
Win+SHIFT+M	Maximizes windows
Win+E	Launching Explorer
Win+R	Launching the Run dialog box
Win+F	Search
Win+CTRL+F	Search for a computer
Win+F1	Launch Windows Help
Win+U	Opening Utility Manager
Win+BREAK	Opening the system properties window
Win+L	For Windows XP - blocking the computer, or, if the computer is not included in the domain, switching users
Win+TAB	Switch between buttons on the taskbar. By clicking on any button, you can expand the selected window by pressing Enter.

Now let's talk about quickly launching programs. Firstly, you can use the Run window, which, as you already know, is opened by pressing the Win+R key combination. Below is a small list of the most commonly used commands entered into the Run window.

Key combinations. Table 5

Team	What's running
cmd, command	Command line
notepad	Notebook
wordpad	Text editor WordPad
calc	Calculator
mspaint	Graphic editor Paint
regedit	Registry Editor
winmine	"Mine Mines" game
control	Control Panel
x:	Explorer window with table of contents of disk directories (x - drive letter)
excel	Excel Spreadsheets
winword	Word processor

If you are too lazy to type commands, you can do the following. Create a shortcut for a program or document that you plan to run frequently. Open the shortcut properties and in the "Shortcut" line, specify the key combination that will launch this shortcut.

Since you use the Windows operating system, then most likely you also have Microsoft Office installed. And, probably, you sometimes (and maybe often) have to create text documents using Word. But the text must not only be created, it must also be formatted. And to do this, you have to look up from the keyboard and use your mouse to poke at buttons and menus: alignment, underlining, font size... And if you type quickly (haven’t you forgotten that you absolutely need to master the touch typing method?), then get distracted by You don’t want a mouse at all, because it wastes quite a lot of time. So, to optimize yourself yourself, it would not hurt you to learn how to use the keyboard to format text.

By default, the most frequently used commands have keyboard shortcuts already configured. If you want to see which combination is used for which command, or even reconfigure it to your own combinations, go here: Tools - Settings - Commands tab - Keyboard button.
Well, below are some default combinations. Learn and use.

Character Formatting

Key combinations. Table 6

Combination	Action
CTRL+SHIFT+F	Font selection
CTRL+SHIFT+P	Selecting font size
CTRL+D	Window for changing font format
SHIFT+F3	Changing the case of letters
CTRL+SHIFT+A	Convert all letters to uppercase and back
CTRL+B	Adding bold style
CTRL+U	Underline text
CTRL+SHIFT+W	Underline words but not spaces
CTRL+SHIFT+D	Double underline text
CTRL+SHIFT+H	Convert to hidden text
CTRL+I	Adding italics
CTRL+SHIFT+K	Convert all letters to small caps
CTRL+"=" (equal sign)	Convert to subscript
CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+X	Convert to superscript
CTRL+SPACEBAR	Removing additional formatting from selected characters
CTRL+SHIFT+Q	Designing selected characters in Symbol font
CTRL+SHIFT+8	Displaying non-printing characters
SHIFT+F1 (then click the text of interest)	Displaying character formatting information
CTRL+SHIFT+C	Copy formatting
CTRL+SHIFT+V	Paste formatting

Formatting Paragraphs

Key combinations. Table 7

Combination	Action
CTRL+0 (zero)	Increase or decrease the space before the current paragraph by one line
CTRL+E	Centering a paragraph
CTRL+J	Justify a paragraph
CTRL+L	Align a paragraph left
CTRL+R	Align a paragraph to the right
CTRL+M	Adding left padding
CTRL+SHIFT+M	Removing left indentation
CTRL+T	Creating a lip
CTRL+SHIFT+T	Reducing the protrusion
CTRL+Q	Remove additional formatting from selected paragraphs
CTRL+SHIFT+S	Applying a style
CTRL+SHIFT+N	Applying a style
CTRL+SHIFT+L	Applying a style

Editing and moving text and pictures

Key combinations. Table 8

Combination	Action
BACKSPACE	Deleting one character to the left of the cursor
CTRL+BACKSPACE	Delete one word to the left of the cursor
DEL	Deleting one character to the right of the cursor
CTRL+DEL	Delete one word to the right of the cursor
CTRL+X, SHIFT+DEL	Deleting a selection to the clipboard
CTRL+Z	Cancel action
CTRL+Y	Repeat action
F2, then move the cursor and press ENTER
SHIFT+DOWN ARROW	One line down
SHIFT+UP ARROW	One line up
CTRL+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW	Until the end of the paragraph
CTRL+SHIFT+UP ARROW	Before the beginning of the paragraph
SHIFT+PAGE DOWN	One screen down
SHIFT+PAGE UP	Up one screen
ALT+CTRL+PAGE DOWN	Until the end of the document
CTRL+SHIFT+HOME	Before the document begins
CTRL+A	Select entire document
CTRL+SHIFT+F8, then - cursor movement keys (to exit the mode - ESC key)	Select a vertical block of text
F8, then - the cursor keys (to exit the mode - the ESC key)	Select a specific fragment of a document

Working with documents

Key combinations. Table 10

Is it possible to use a laptop or computer without a touchpad or mouse? Is it possible to open a program without using the menu? At first glance, this seems impossible to accomplish. But nevertheless, you can use the computer to its full capacity without endless clicks. In such cases, keyboard shortcuts come to the rescue. Correct use of their combinations allows you to significantly save time.

What are keyboard shortcuts for?

Hot keys or keyboard shortcuts are the ability to interact with a personal computer using only the keyboard. There is no doubt that for such “communication” far from random combinations of keys on the keyboard are used. The operating system has built-in actions that are triggered when certain keys are pressed.

Hot keys are used for more optimized work with a personal computer. These combinations are also called shortcut keys and keyboard accelerators.

Combinations are used most often in cases where you have to work a lot with the mouse or touchpad. It is much faster to select an item from a drop-down menu by pressing one or two keys than to constantly click on a file and search for the item you need.

The keyboard accelerator also helps with text processing. The Word text editor recognizes several dozen combinations, pressing which will cause a certain action: copy, paste, bold, underline, page break, and so on.

But the combinations also have a disadvantage. It lies in the number of combinations. It is very difficult to remember them all. But even using the most popular ones will help optimize your work with files, text, browser and dialog boxes.

Using modifier keys

Any owner of a personal computer or laptop has noticed that the keyboard has keys that do not perform any function on their own. These include Ctrl, Shift and Alt. By clicking them, it is impossible to change anything in the system, browser window or text editor. But they are precisely the modifier keys, thanks to which almost every key combination on a computer works.

Correct use of modifiers allows you to quickly access operating system settings. But such combinations work both globally and locally. With the right combination of buttons, you can create a new folder, rename a file, or even disable the keyboard.

Changing the keyboard layout: changing the key combination

All owners of personal computers running the Windows operating system know about the key combination that helps change the keyboard layout. In Windows 10, by default, two combinations are used: Win + Space and Alt + Shift. However, this option is not suitable for everyone, so users want to change the key combination to change the keyboard layout.

To change the way you change the keyboard layout, you must:

Open Settings through the Start menu.
Select "Time and Language".
Go to "Region and Language".
In the window, click on “Advanced date and time settings, regional settings.”
In the “Language” item, select “Change input method”.
In the menu located on the left side of the window, click on “Advanced options”.
In the "Switch input methods" group, select "Change language bar keyboard shortcuts."
In the dialog box that appears, click on “Change keyboard shortcut” and enter new parameters.
Save settings.

After application they will change, and you can change the layout with a new combination.

Entering special characters using a keyboard shortcut

In some situations, it becomes necessary to enter special characters that the standard computer keyboard does not provide. Keyboard and modifier combinations didn't seem to help either.

What should you do if you urgently need to insert a copyright symbol, a down, up or side arrow, a note, or a paragraph into a message or document? There are two ways to enter such characters.

The first way is to work with the Word text editor. In order to insert a special character, you will need to open a new document, go to the “Tab” menu and select “Symbol”. From the list that appears, click on “Special characters”.

Next, a dialog box will pop up in which a list of all special characters will be presented. The user just has to choose the appropriate one. For easier searching, special characters are grouped by topic: monetary units, punctuation marks, geometric shapes, technical symbols, and so on.

To save time, the special characters window can be called up with the combination Ctrl+Alt+“-”.

The second way is using keyboard shortcuts for symbols. To enter special characters from the keyboard, you will need to hold down the Alt button and at the same time enter a set of numbers. For example, Alt+0169 is the code.

All codes are given below.

How to lock your keyboard using a keyboard shortcut

Unfortunately, there is no single key combination on the Windows 7 keyboard that will allow you to lock just the keyboard. On some computers and laptops the combination F11+Esc may work. Sometimes manufacturers introduce special combinations into their products for such tasks. For example, all Acer laptops lock the keyboard when you press Fn+F7.

But it is still possible to partially block the keyboard on the computer. The Win+L key combination locks not so much the keyboard itself as the operating system. After pressing the keys, the user will be transferred to the window for entering the system password and changing the account. Only those who know the password will be able to log in again.

Keyboard combinations for working in Word

There is a whole list of keyboard shortcuts that allow you to optimize your work with documents in the Word text editor.

To create a new document, just use the Ctrl+N keys.

Ctrl+O - opens a new file.

Ctrl+W - closes the file.

Alt+Ctrl+S - splits file windows.

Alt+Shift+C - removes division.

Ctrl+S - saves the document.

Alt + left arrow - move to the next page.

Alt + right arrow - move to the previous page.

Alt+Ctrl+I - preview.

Ctrl+P - print.

To switch to reading mode, you will need to successively press the Alt keys - O and E.

Ctrl+D - opens a window that allows you to change the type, size and properties of the font.

Shift+F3 - changes the appearance of the text: lowercase letters are replaced with uppercase ones.

Ctrl+Shift+F - replace capital letters with lowercase ones.

To make the text “bold”, just press Ctrl+B.

Ctrl+I - tilt text selection.

Ctrl+U - adds an underline.

Ctrl+Shift+W - adds a double underline.

Ctrl+Shift+D - double underline.

Ctrl+Enter - insert a page break.

C - copy a specific table, image or text.
V - transferring data from the clipboard to the document.
X - data is written to the clipboard and deleted from the file.
A - data selection.
Z - cancel the last data entry.

There are many more hotkeys that allow you to optimize your work with documents. But the list presented above includes the main and most popular combinations that will be useful to every user.

Working with Dialog Boxes

Combinations of several buttons on the keyboard allow you to quickly navigate through operating system dialog boxes. Using arrows helps you move focus to other buttons in the window. The Backspace button moves the user to a folder that is one level higher. Pressing the Spacebar will clear the checkbox or checkmark.

The Tab button will move to the next active area of the window. To move in the opposite direction, just add the Shift button to the combination.

You can quickly view all open folders and programs by holding Alt+Tab.

Keyboard shortcuts and Windows button

For many people, the Windows or Win key is associated with the Start menu. But in combination with other buttons, it works on a global scale.

Windows button +:

A - call the “Support Center”.
B - allows you to minimize all windows.
Alt+D - enables or disables the appearance of the current date on the desktop.
E - quickly opens the conductor.

“Windows” + K - instantly minimizes active windows.

Win+R - call the “Run” function.

Win+S - opens a window that allows you to search for files and programs on your personal computer.

Win+ “+”/ “-” - change the scale of the working surface.

Win and the enter button allow you to launch Narrator.

Win+Esc - closes the Magnifier application.

You can quickly open the Ease of Access Center by holding down Windows and I.

Win in combination with the up or down arrows allows you to resize the dialog box.

Working with Explorer

Pressing Alt+D allows you to move to the address bar.

Ctrl+E - activates the search field.

Ctrl+N is a universal combination that allows you to open a new window in almost any program.

Ctrl combined with scrolling changes the size of files and folders in a specific window.

Ctrl+Shift+E - displays a list of all folders that precede the active one.

Ctrl+Shift+N - creates a new folder.

If you press the F2 button after highlighting a file or folder, you can immediately rename it. The F11 key activates the preview. Pressing it again deactivates it.

Win+Ctrl+D - allows you to create a new virtual desktop. To switch between them you will need to press Win+Ctrl + left or right arrows.