Shortcuts for Objects, Folders, and Windows Explorer

The following brief procedures and tables summarize the standard shortcuts for working with objects in the Windows 98 user interface, including folders on the desktop and Microsoft Windows Explorer.

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 of 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 only one window is open, this operation will open a new window.

To bypass Autorun when inserting a compact disc

Press SHIFT while inserting the compact disc.

Common shortcuts for a selected object

Shortcut	Action

CTRL+C	Copy.
CTRL+O	Open.
CTRL+P	Print.
CTRL+S	Save.
CTRL+V	Paste.
CTRL+X	Cut.
CTRL+Z	Undo.
F1	Display contextual Help window.
SHIFT+F1	Activate context-sensitive Help mode (What’s This?).
SHIFT+F10	Display pop-up menu.
SPACEBAR	Select (same as 1 click of mouse button).
ESC	Cancel.
ALT	Activate or inactivate menu bar mode.
ALT+TAB	Display next primary window.
ALT+ESC	Display next window.
ALT+SPACEBAR	Display pop-up menu for window.
ALT+HYPHEN	Display pop-up menu for active child window (MDI).
ALT+ENTER	Display properties.
ALT+F4	Close active window.
ALT+F6	Switch to next window within application (between modeless secondary windows and their primary window).
ALT+PRINT SCREEN	Capture focus window to Clipboard.
PRINT SCREEN	Capture desktop image to Clipboard.
CTRL+ESC	Access Start button in taskbar.
F2	Rename.
F3	Find.
DELETE	Delete.
SHIFT+DELETE	Delete file immediately without putting it in Recycle Bin.
ALT+double-click	Display properties.
CTRL+click the right mouse button	Place alternative commands on the pop-up 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).
CTRL+F6	Display next child window (MDI).
CTRL+TAB	Display next tabbed page or child window (MDI).
CTRL+ALT+DEL	Reserved for system use.

Shortcuts for managing folders and Windows Explorer

Shortcut	Action

F4	In Windows Explorer, display combo box and move input focus to list.
F5	Refresh display.
F6 (TAB)	In Windows Explorer, move focus between panes.
CTRL+G	In Windows Explorer, choose Go To command.
CTRL+Z	Undo.
CTRL+A	Select All.
BACKSPACE	Go to parent folder.

Shortcuts in the Windows Explorer tree

Shortcut	Action

* on numeric keypad	Expand everything under selection.
+ on numeric keypad	Expand selection.
– on numeric keypad	Collapse selection.
RIGHT ARROW	Expand current selection if it is not expanded; otherwise, go to first child.
ALT+RIGHT ARROW	Move forward to a previous view.
LEFT ARROW	Collapse current selection if it is expanded; otherwise, go to parent.
ALT+LEFT ARROW	Move backward to a previous view.
CTRL+ARROW	Scroll without moving selection.
SHIFT+click the Close button	Close selected folder and all of its parent folders.

Shortcuts for Internet Explorer

Shortcut	Action

TAB+ENTER	Activate a selected link.
SHIFT+F10	Display a shortcut menu for a link.
CTRL+O	Go to a new location.
ALT+RIGHT ARROW	Go to next page.
ALT+LEFT ARROW	Go to previous page.
SHIFT+CTRL+TAB	Move back between frames.
CTRL+TAB	Move forward between frames.
HOME	Move to beginning of document.
END	Move to end of document.
CTRL+N	Open a new window.
CTRL+P	Print current page or active frame.
F5	Refresh current page.
UP ARROW	Scroll toward beginning of a document.
PAGE UP	Scroll toward beginning of a document in larger increments.
DOWN ARROW	Scroll toward end of a document.
PAGE DOWN	Scroll toward end of a document in larger increments.
ESC	Stop downloading a page.
CTRL+S	Save current page.
CTRL+ARROW	Skip to break and separation characters in URLs (// / . , ? +).
CTRL+END	Skip to the end of the auto-completed URL.

Shortcuts in the common Open and Save dialog boxes

Shortcut	Action

ESC	Cancel current task.
ALT+underlined letter	Click corresponding command.
ENTER	Click selected button.
TAB	Move forward through options.
SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through options.
CTRL+TAB	Move forward though tabs.
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB	Move backward though tabs.
SPACEBAR	Click a button if current control is a button; select (clear) check box if current control is a check box; or click option if current control is an option button.
BACKSPACE	Open a folder one level up, if it is selected in Save As or Open dialog box.
F4	Display Look In or Save In list within Save As or Open dialog box.
F5	Refresh view.
BACKSPACE	Go to parent folder if focus is on View window.