What keys must be pressed to select everything? We increase the speed of working at the computer. Useful keyboard shortcuts and system commands "Start - Run"

The Internet is a huge world where everyone will find something valuable for themselves. Some people like to watch videos on, others prefer to communicate on thematic forums, and still others use the World Wide Web as an encyclopedia. Indeed, here you can find so much valuable information that you wouldn’t be able to read in a lifetime. We save some important files to a text document. Fortunately, browsers allow you to select both entire pages and individual fragments, words or even letters. But not all PC users know how to do this. But no problem, we will help you!

Highlighting: Various Methods

Popular browsers (Google Chrome, Opera and Internet Explorer) do not differ at all from each other in this regard. If you need to copy some fragment of text on the site, then simply move the mouse arrow to the initial word and select the desired text. On most sites, this background around the text changes color, although on some no changes are noticeable at all - it depends on the preferences of the owners of Internet resources. By the way, on some sites the text cannot be copied - this is a kind of protection against the theft of articles, which is very easy to bypass (the text can be found through the code using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+U and further search).

If you wanted to select all the text present on the page at once, then you don’t even need a mouse for this. Just press the key combination CTRL+A (meaning the Latin letter A). The same can be done by selecting “Edit” - “Select All” in the browser menu. But keep in mind one important point - absolutely everything will be highlighted, including various links and even pictures. However, you can always deselect it by holding down the Shift key and selecting the desired piece of text. All this fully applies to Microsoft Office Word documents.

If you are not satisfied with highlighting everything on a page of a website or document, then we recommend doing the following. Select the text, click on the left mouse button next to the first word of the article or paragraph. Then hold down the Shift key and hold. Now find the last word in a paragraph or article, click the left mouse button next to it and only now can you release Shift. This way you have selected the fragment you need. You can see this method in more detail in the screenshot below:

Many users, when working with a computer, mainly use only the mouse, clicking on various sections of the menu in order to open one or another system management section or directory in Explorer. However, you can significantly speed up working with Windows if you train yourself to constantly use the so-called hot keys - combinations of buttons that allow you to execute various commands.

The Windows family of operating systems has always been distinguished by a large number of keyboard shortcuts designed to work both with the system itself and with the applications and utilities included in it. A significant part of the combinations is traditionally used not only in the operating system, but also in software packages from other manufacturers. In Windows 7, hotkeys have become even more convenient. Therefore, knowing at least a small part of them will significantly speed up your work.

A significant role in the formation of keyboard shortcuts is played by the Win button, indicated on the keyboard by the Windows logo in the form of a four-part flag. The key is located in the lower left corner of the keyboard between the Ctrl and Alt buttons. Another Win button can be duplicated on the right side of the keyboard between the Alt Gr buttons and the button for calling the right-click option. Due to the fact that nowadays the number of keyboard varieties is constantly increasing, the Win key may be located in another place, but it will definitely be in the lower left corner. On laptops, the Win key is usually located between the Fn and Alt function buttons.

Windows hotkeys when working with Explorer

Win. Pressing the Win button once allows you to open or close the Start menu.
Win + E. Quick access to the My Computer directory.
Win + M. The keyboard shortcut allows you to quickly minimize all windows, showing the desktop. Pressing it again does not return all previously opened windows to their original position, so you will have to use the mouse to expand them from a minimized view.
Win + D. Minimize and – when pressed again – maximize all open windows. Convenient if you suddenly need to look at the desktop (in order to open a file saved there, for example), and then quickly return all open application windows to their original state.
Win + F. Quickly launch a file search window by its name.

Win + G. If you have gadgets installed (another common name is widgets), the keyboard shortcut will show them on top of all other windows. To remove gadgets from visibility, simply click anywhere in the open window underneath them.

Win + L. A very convenient keyboard shortcut, which is especially useful for those who prefer to lock their computer every time they leave their workplace. After pressing Win + L, Windows will open an account selection screen, which can only be opened if you know the corresponding password. Of course, if you have not set a password for your account, anyone can unlock your computer.

Win + P. A convenient keyboard shortcut for those who use several monitors or projectors at the same time.

Win + U. Opens the Ease of Access Center. Handy when you need to quickly access settings for Magnifier, Narrator, or the on-screen keyboard.

Win + R. One of the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts. Allows you to quickly launch a program or system utility by entering its name in a special line. This is much faster than searching for a program in the branching sub-items of the Control Panel or the general list of applications.

Win + T. The combination allows you to make one of the icons located in the taskbar active one by one. Includes both icons for quick access to applications and icons for open windows.
Win + Tab. Effective switching between active windows, in which all open windows are arranged in the form of a “ladder”. This effect is called Windows Flip 3D or Windows Aero and is available in all versions of Vista and Seven systems. The keyboard shortcut will not work if Aero effects are disabled in the corresponding settings.

Win + X. Quick access to the Mobility Center, designed to save energy. This is especially true when working on a laptop.

Win + Space (Space). Aero Peak effect. All open windows become transparent, allowing you to see your desktop.
Win+Home. Aero Shake – minimizes all windows except the active one.
Win + cursor arrows. Convenient control of an open window. Pressing Win + up expands it to the full screen, Win + left/right presses it to one side of the screen, reducing the width to 50%. Win+down reduces the window to about one-fourth of the display area.
Shift + Win + Right/Left. Move active windows between two monitors.
Alt+Tab. Very convenient movement between active windows.
Win + 1…0. Opening or minimizing a window, as well as launching an application whose shortcut in the taskbar corresponds to its number.
Ctrl + Shift + Del. Launch the Task Manager. Many users mistakenly believe that the standard keyboard shortcut for opening the Task Manager window is Ctrl + Alt + Del. In fact, Ctrl + Alt + Del opens a separate screen with a choice of one of the actions (lock the computer, log out, change user, change password or launch Task Manager). This keyboard shortcut can also be used to open it, but it will be less fast.
Ctrl + Win + F. If you are on a local network, Windows will begin searching for computers on it.
Shift + Ctrl + N. Create a new directory.
Shift + F10. The keyboard shortcut works similarly to right-clicking the mouse, bringing up a context menu.
Alt + F4. Closes any active window.
Alt + Enter. Opens the Properties window for the selected file.
F4. Pressing this function key in Explorer will make the address bar active.
Print Screen. Copies a screenshot to the clipboard. The image can be inserted into a graphics editor.
Print Screen + Alt. A snapshot of the active window.

Hotkeys in browsers

No matter what browser you use, Windows 7 will always have keyboard shortcuts for easier access to their functions.

F1. Calling the program help.
F5. Page update.
F6, Ctrl + L. Selects the contents of the browser address bar.
F11. Full screen mode.
Ctrl+T. Opening a new tab.
Ctrl + N. Opens a new window.

Hotkeys for working with text and clipboard

In Windows 7, hotkeys work not only with the operating system itself and its utilities, but also with most text editing applications and programs that support the clipboard. Knowing these hotkeys can significantly reduce the time you spend typing and working with documents.

Ctrl + C. Copy a selected section of text or any other data to the clipboard.
Ctrl + V. Pastes the contents of the clipboard.
Ctrl + X. Copies data to the clipboard along with deleting it from its original location.
Ctrl + A. Select all data.
Ctrl + O. Open a document.
Ctrl + S. Save the file.
Ctrl+Y. Repeat the action.
Ctrl+Z. Cancel action.
Ctrl+B. Changes text formatting, making selected text bold.
Ctrl + I. The text turns into italics.
Ctrl + U. Underline text.
Ctrl+F. Search in the text.
Ctrl + H. Opens the replacement window.
Ctrl + P. Print.
Ctrl + Home. Return to the beginning of the document.
Ctrl + End. End of document.
Alt + Shift, Ctrl + Shift. Change the keyboard layout.

Additional features of Windows 7

In addition to hotkeys when working with Windows 7, there are a number of options that make working with windows more convenient. If you drag the window to the top edge of the display, it will expand to fill the entire screen. If you drag it to the right or left side of the display, it will press against the corresponding side, reducing its width to 50% of the screen. To run the program as an administrator, click on its shortcut while holding down the Ctrl and Shift keys.

Many of the following standard hotkeys work not only in Windows XP, but also in most versions of Windows in general, as well as in many Windows applications.

Windows hotkeys

Windows Logo Key (WIN)+key combinations:

WIN - Open the start menu.
WIN-Tab - When the Aero interface is active, enables Windows Flip 3D. (only for Vista)
WIN-Pause/Break - Launches system properties.
WIN space - Shows Sidebar. (only for Vista)
WIN-B, spacebar - Moves focus to tray (WIN, spacebar allows you to open hidden icons)
WIN-D - Minimize all windows and give focus to the desktop.
WIN-E - Launch Explorer.
WIN-F - Start search.
Ctrl-WIN-F - Search for a computer on the network (requires Active Directory).
WIN-L - Lock the computer; a password is required to unlock it.
WIN-M - Minimize this window.
Shift-WIN-M - Rollback minimizing this window.
WIN-R - Launch the "Run..." dialog box
WIN-U - Launch Ease of Access Center. (only for Vista)

Function keys:

F1 - Call help (works in most applications).
F2 - Rename the selected icon on the desktop, or file in Explorer.
F3 - Open the search window (only available on the desktop and in Explorer).
F4 - Open drop-down list (supported in most dialog boxes). For example, press F4 in the "open file" dialog box to view the list.
F5 - Refresh the list on the desktop, Explorer, Registry Editor and some other programs.
F6 - Move focus between panels in Explorer.
F10 - Move focus to the active application's menu bar.

Various keys:

Cursor arrows - Basic navigation - move through menus, move the cursor (insertion point), change the selected file, and so on.
Backspace - Go up one level (only in Explorer).
Delete - Delete selected elements or text.
Down Arrow - Open drop-down menu.
End - Moves to the end of the line when editing files, or to the end of the list of files.
Enter - Activate the selected action in a menu or dialog box, or start a new line when editing text.
Esc - Closes a dialog box, information box, or menu without activating any selected action (usually used as the cancel button).
Home - Moves to the beginning of the line when editing files, or to the beginning of the list of files.
Page Down - Scroll down one screen.
Page Up - Scroll up one screen.
PrintScreen - Copy the contents of the screen as a bitmap to the buffer.
Spacebar - Check a checkbox to be selected in a dialog box, select a button that has focus, or select files when multiple selecting them while holding down the Ctrl button.
Tab - Move focus to the next button in a window or dialog (hold Shift to go back).

Alt + key combinations:

Alt - Move focus to menu bar (same as F10). Also returns menus in programs that use it more, such as Explorer and Internet Explorer.
Alt-x - Activate a window or dialog in which the letter x is underlined (if the underline is not visible, pressing Alt will display them).
Alt-double click - (on the icon) display the property sheet.
Alt-Enter - Display the property sheet for this icon on the desktop, or in Explorer. Also changes the command line display from window to full screen.
Alt-Esc - Collapses the active window, which results in the opening of the next window.
Alt-F4 - Close the active window; If the taskbar or desktop has focus, it turns off Windows.
Alt-hyphen - Open the system menu of the active document through the interface of compound documents.
Alt number - Used only with the numeric keypad, inserts special characters into most applications according to their ASCII codes. For example, press the Alt key and type 0169 to get the character. See the symbol table for all meanings.
Alt-PrintScreen - Copy the active window as a bitmap to the clipboard.
Alt-Shift-Tab - Same as Alt+Tab, but in a different direction.
Alt-space - Open the system menu of the active window.
Alt-Tab - Move to the next open application. Press Alt while holding Tab to move between application windows.
Alt-M - If the taskbar has focus, minimizes all open applications.
Alt-S - If the taskbar has focus, opens the start menu.

Ctrl + key combinations:

Ctrl-A - Select all; in Explorer selects all folders in the document, in a text editor all text in the document.
Ctrl-Alt-x - User-defined keyboard shortcuts in which x is any button.
Ctrl-Alt-Delete - Show the user selection window if no one is registered in the system; otherwise, it launches the Windows Security window, which provides access to the task manager, and shuts down the computer, as well as changing the user, allowing you to change the password, or block access to the computer. Use Ctrl-Alt-Delete to access the Task Manager when your computer, or File Explorer, is frozen.
Ctrl arrows - Move without selecting fragments.
Ctrl-click - Used to select multiple non-sequential elements in Explorer.
Ctrl-drag - Copy a file.
Ctrl-End - Go to the end of the file (works in most applications).
Ctrl-Esc - Open the start menu; press Esc and then Tab to move focus to the taskbar, or press Tab again to move focus to the taskbar, and then move through the panels on the taskbar, each time you press the Tab button.
Ctrl-F4 - Closes a window in any MDI application.
Ctrl-F6 - Move between multiple windows in MDI applications. Similar to Ctrl-Tab; hold Shift to move in the opposite direction.
Ctrl-Home - Go to the beginning of the document (works in most programs).
Ctrl-Space - Select or deselect several non-sequential elements.
Ctrl-Tab - Switch between tabs in a tabbed window, or Internet Explorer; hold Shift to move in the opposite direction.
Ctrl-C - Copy the selected file or piece of text to the clipboard. Also allows you to interrupt some console commands.
Ctrl-F - Open search window.
Ctrl-V - Paste the contents of the buffer.
Ctrl-X - Cut the selected file, or a piece of text into the buffer.
Ctrl-Z - Rollback; for example, deletes the text you just entered, or the last file operation in Explorer.

Shift+key combinations:

Shift - When a CD is inserted, hold to block autoplay.
Shift arrows - Select text or multiple files in Explorer.
Shift-click - Select all content between the selected fragment and the clicked fragment; also works with text.
Shift-click the close button - Close the active Explorer window, and all previous ones (if open in several windows)
Shift-Alt-Tab - Same as Alt-Tab, but in the opposite direction.
Shift-Ctrl-Tab - Same as Ctrl-Tab, but in the opposite direction.
Shift-Ctrl-Esc - Open task manager.
Shift-Delete - Delete a file without moving it to the trash.
Shift-double-click - Open a folder in two-panel Explorer mode.
Shift-Tab - Same as Tab, but in the opposite direction.
Shift-F10, or the context menu button on some keyboards - Context menu, open.

Basic keyboard shortcuts:

CTRL+C: copy
. CTRL+X: cut
. CTRL+V: paste
. CTRL+Z: undo action
. DELETE: deletion
. SHIFT+DELETE: Permanently deletes the selected item without placing the item in the trash
. CTRL with object drag: copy selected object
. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an object: Create a shortcut for the selected object

. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW: Moves the insertion point to the beginning of the next word
. CTRL+LEFT ARROW: Moves the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word
. CTRL+DOWN ARROW: Moves the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph
. CTRL+UP ARROW: Moves the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph
. CTRL+SHIFT + arrow keys: Select a block of text
. SHIFT + arrow keys: Select multiple items in a window or desktop, or select text in a document
. CTRL+A: select the entire document
. F3 key: Search for file or folder

. ALT+F4: close the active window or exit the active program
. ALT+ENTER: View properties of the selected object
. ALT+SPACEBAR: call the context menu of the active window
. CTRL+F4: Closes the active document in applications that allow multiple documents to be open at the same time
. ALT+TAB: navigate between open objects
. ALT+ESC: view objects in the order in which they were opened
. F6 key: view interface elements one by one in a window or on the desktop
. F4 key: Shows the location bar in My Computer or Windows Explorer
. SHIFT+F10: call the context menu for the selected element
. ALT+SPACEBAR: call the system menu for the active window
. CTRL+ESC: Call up the Start menu
. ALT+underlined letter in the menu name: call the corresponding menu
. Underlined letter in open menu command name: Execute the corresponding command
. F10 key: Activate the menu bar in the program you are using
. RIGHT ARROW: Calls up the next menu on the right or submenu
. LEFT ARROW: Opens the next menu on the left or closes a submenu
. F5 key: refresh active window
. BACKSPACE key: View the contents of a folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
. ESC key: Cancel a running job
. SHIFT when loading a CD into the CD drive: Prevent the CD from playing automatically
. CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: open task manager

Keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:

When you press SHIFT+F8 in linked selection list windows, linked selection mode is activated. In this mode, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor while keeping the item selected. To adjust the parameters of the selected object, press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR. To turn off connected mode, press SHIFT+F8. Linked selection mode is disabled automatically when you move focus to another control.

CTRL+TAB: Move forward through tabs
. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move back through tabs
. TAB: Move forward through options
. SHIFT+TAB: move BACK through options
. ALT+underlined letter: execute the corresponding command or select the corresponding option
. ENTER key: Execute a command for the current option or button
. SPACEBAR: Checks or unchecks a field if the active option is a checkbox
. Arrow keys: select a button if the active option is part of a radio button group
. F1 key: call help
. F4 Key: Display Active List Items
. BACKSPACE key: Opens a folder one level above if the folder is selected in the Save Document or Open Document dialog box

Standard Microsoft Natural Keyboard keyboard shortcuts:

Windows logo: Opens or closes the Start menu
. Windows logo+BREAK: opens the System Properties dialog box
. Windows logo+D: display desktop
. Windows Logo+M: Minimize all windows
. Windows Logo+SHIFT+M: Restore minimized windows
. Windows logo+E: Open My Computer folder
. Windows logo+F: Search for a file or folder
. CTRL+Windows logo+F: Search for computers
. Windows Logo+F1: Open Windows Help
. Windows+ Logo L: Keyboard Lock
. Windows logo + R: launching the Run a program dialog box

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts:

. Hold Right SHIFT for 8 seconds: Enable or disable input filtering

. Left ALT+Left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN: Toggle High Contrast on/off
. Press SHIFT five times: Turn Sticky Keys on or off
. Hold the NUM LOCK key for 5 seconds: enable or disable switching sounds
. Windows Logo+U: Open Utility Manager

Keyboard shortcuts in Windows Explorer:

END key: Move down the active window
. HOME key: Move up the active window
. NUM LOCK key+asterisk (*): displays all subdirectories of the selected folder
. NUM LOCK key+plus sign (+): Displays the contents of the selected folder
. NUM LOCK key+minus sign (-): Collapses the selected folder
. LEFT ARROW: Collapses the selected item if expanded, or selects a parent folder
. RIGHT ARROW: Show the selected item if minimized, or select the first subfolder

Keyboard shortcuts for symbol table:

By double-clicking a symbol in the character grid, you can navigate the grid using keyboard shortcuts:

RIGHT ARROW: Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line
. LEFT ARROW: Move to the left or to the end of the previous line
. UP ARROW: Move up one line
. DOWN ARROW: Move down one line
. PAGE UP key: Move up one screen at a time
. PAGE DOWN key: Move down one screen at a time
. HOME key: Go to the beginning of the line
. END key: go to the end of the line
. CTRL+HOME: go to first character
. CTRL+END: go to last character
. SPACEBAR: Toggle between magnified and normal views of the selected character

Keyboard shortcuts for the main Microsoft Management Console (MMC) window:

CTRL+O: Opens a saved console
. CTRL+N: opens a new console
. CTRL+S: save open console
. CTRL+M: Add or remove console object
. CTRL+W: opens a new window

. ALT+SPACEBAR: Calls the Window menu of the Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
. ALT+F4: closes the console
. ALT+A: call the “Action” menu
. ALT+V: call the “View” menu
. ALT+F: call the “File” menu
. ALT+O: call the “Favorites” menu

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) window keyboard shortcuts:

. CTRL+P: Print current page or active area
. ALT+minus sign: call the “Window” menu of the active console window
. SHIFT+F10: call the “Action” context menu for the selected element
. F1 key: opens help topic (if available) for the selected object
. F5 key: Refresh the contents of all console windows
. CTRL+F10: minimize the active console window
. CTRL+F5: restore active console window
. ALT+ENTER: Opens the Properties dialog box (if available) for the selected object
. F2 key: rename selected object
. CTRL+F4: close the active console window; if the console contains only one window, this keyboard shortcut closes the console

Remote Desktop Connection:

CTRL+ALT+END: Opens the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box
. ALT+PAGE UP: switch between programs from left to right
. ALT+PAGE DOWN: switch between programs from right to left
. ALT+INSERT: Move between programs in the order last used
. ALT+HOME: Call up the Start menu
. CTRL+ALT+BREAK: Switch the client computer between windowed mode and full screen mode
. ALT+DELETE: call the “Windows” menu
. CTRL+ALT+minus sign (-): Places a snapshot of the entire client window area on the clipboard on the terminal server (same as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on the local computer)
. CTRL+ALT+plus sign (+): Places a snapshot of the active client area window on the clipboard on the terminal server (same as pressing the PRINT SCREEN key on the local computer)

Navigation in Microsoft Internet Explorer:

CTRL+B: Opens the Organize Favorites dialog box
. CTRL+E: Opens the Search panel
. CTRL+F: Launch the search utility
. CTRL+H: opens the history panel
. CTRL+I: opens the favorites panel
. CTRL+L: Opens the Open dialog box
. CTRL+N: Launch another browser instance with the same web address
. CTRL+O: Opens the Open dialog box, similar to CTRL+L
. CTRL+P: Opens the Print dialog box
. CTRL+R: refresh current web page
. CTRL+W: close the current window

Additionally:

1. If you select a folder or file and press F2, name editing will be enabled, or if you press F4 in Explorer, the address bar will become active
2. Scroll down the page not by scrolling and the Page Down key, but simply by pressing "space"
3. And Shift+Space - back
4. Shift+... returns all actions in reverse order (Ctrl+Tab,Ctrl+Shift+Tab; Alt+Tab,Alt+Shift+Tab...)
5. To get into these very “windows on the taskbar” without a mouse, you can press the Win+Tab combination
6. Win+Break - quick access to system properties
7. Ctrl+Shift+Esc - to the list of processes
8. You can copy a message from a window with an error simply by pressing CTRL+C when such a window pops up
9. ctrl+esc - causes start
10. alt+space - active window menu (close, minimize)
11. If you start entering text and press alt+break, the cursor will either disappear or stop blinking
12. Alt + Esc - change the order of windows - the current one is sent to the background
13. Windows can be closed by double clicking on the window icon in the upper left corner
14. If you make the Start menu active, screensaver will not launch
15. "ctrl+tab" - switching between tabs of the element properties window
16. Shortcut to access Win-B tray
17. Just minimize all windows - Win+M, and Win-D hide all windows, and when pressed again - show
18. Win+f - search
19. Win+l - lock
20. Win+u - special features for people with hearing impairments
21. Win+e - My Computer
22. Win+r - execute

About Windows hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcut (synonyms: hotkey, shortcut key, shortcut key, keyboard accelerator) (eng. keyboard shortcut, quick key, access key, hot key ) - pressing one or more keys on the keyboard to execute a specific command programmed to be called when this combination is pressed. Using keyboard shortcuts significantly speeds up your work and increases the number of possible actions you can perform using your keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts are especially widely used in computer games, in which the player's speed of reaction to developments is important - in particular, in strategies.

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 hot keys 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 - open 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.

Instructions for selecting text using only the keyboard.

When working with a text document of any size and purpose, we inevitably use text selection to copy, move fragments and change formatting. The main and most popular text editor, Microsoft Word, allows you to make selections using both the mouse and the keyboard. Working with a mouse seems more familiar and convenient to everyone, but this is far from true. When typing speed is important when typing a document, it is more advisable to use a keyboard - this saves time because you do not need to constantly change working tools from the mouse to the keyboard and back. It is necessary to master hot keys for selecting text even if you do not have a mouse, for example, it is broken or you prefer to work on a laptop without using additional devices. Selecting text is, of course, possible using the touchpad, but, perhaps, only a virtuoso musician is able to select the desired part with the touchpad the first time.

Text selection methods

To make your work with text documents quick and convenient, we suggest you use the following hotkey combinations.

To select the entire document text, press Ctrl+A (A in English layout);
To select text, starting from a certain place and until the end of the document, use the Ctrl+Shift+End keys; from a certain place to the end of this page - Ctrl+Shift+Page Down (PgDn). Remember that the cursor must be in the place from which the selection is desired.
To select text from a specific place before the beginning of the document, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Home;
To select a given document page, press four keys Alt+Ctrl+Shift+Page Down at the same time;

For relatively small text fragments, the same keyboard buttons and arrow keys are used.

To select a line from beginning to end, first hold down the Home key and, while holding it, press Shift+End; to select from the end to the beginning of a line, hold down End, and while holding it, press Shift+Home;
Rows up are highlighted by pressing the Home key, and after Shift+Up Arrow, down rows are highlighted by pressing End+Shift+Down Arrow. Hold this key combination until the required number of lines is highlighted.
A paragraph from the beginning to the end is highlighted by holding down the Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow key, from the end to the beginning - Ctrl+Shift+Up Arrow. The cursor should be at the beginning or end of the paragraph, respectively.
Individual words are highlighted from beginning to end with the command Ctrl+Shift+Right Arrow, from end to beginning Ctrl+Shift+Left Arrow. The cursor is also at either the beginning or the end of the word.
A single character (letter, number, symbol, space) is selected using the Shift+Right Arrow or Shift+Left Arrow key, depending on the position of the character relative to the cursor.

Highlighting text in tables

Hotkeys for selecting a table and its parts using the keyboard require special attention.

To select the entire table, use the keyboard shortcut Alt+5 with Num Lock enabled. The cursor must be anywhere in the table.
The next cell is selected using the Tab key, the previous one is selected using Shift + Tab.
Select multiple adjacent cells by holding down the Shift key and pressing the right or left arrow according to the number of cells you want to select.
To select a column, select the starting or last cell and hold Shift+Down Arrow/Up Arrow.

Microsoft Word also has a selection mode; to activate it, you need the F8 key. Using this mode you can select:

next or previous character by pressing the Right Arrow/Left Arrow key;
a word, sentence, paragraph, or entire document.

It works on the same principle as the mouse - the volume of selected text depends on the number of clicks. After entering selection mode, press F8: select a word once, twice a sentence, three times a paragraph, four times the entire text.

In general, text selection commands are contained within 5-6 keyboard keys: Ctrl, Shift, Alt, Home and End, arrows, as well as several additional shortcuts for special selection cases.

We hope that our article on text selection will allow you to avoid constantly changing input devices, allow you to stop using a portable mouse when working with a laptop, and save you from suffering with the touchpad. Knowing keyboard shortcuts can significantly reduce the time you spend working with text.