Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows XP is simple to use, but some tasks require several clicks of the mouse. Fortunately, there are several keyboard shortcuts that decrease the amount of time it takes to complete certain tasks. These include:
- [WIN]E starts Windows Explorer with My Computer expanded.
- [WIN]L logs you out (domain) or displays the Welcome Screen (workgroup).
- [WIN]R displays the Run dialog box.
- [WIN]D shows the desktop.
- [WIN]M minimizes all windows.
- [Ctrl][Shift][Esc] runs Windows Task Manager.
- [WIN][Break] runs System Properties dialog box.
- [Ctrl][Tab] switches to the next tab on a dialog box.
- [Ctrl][Shift][Tab] switches to the previous tab on a dialog box.
- [Backspace] goes to the previous page/folder or previous Web site in Internet Explorer.
Note: [WIN] is the Windows logo key at the lower left corner of newer keyboards.
To view additional keyboard shortcuts, search Help And Support under the Start menu.
There are even more shortcuts you can take. For instance, you can run built-in utilities much faster through the Run dialog box than by clicking them. Simply type the following commands in the Run prompt:
- Desk.cpl runs Display Properties.
- Ncpa.cpl runs the Network Connections folder.
- PowerCfg.cpl runs Power Options Properties.
- Sysdm.cpl runs the System Properties dialog box.
- Cmd.exe runs Command Prompt.
- Perfmon.msc runs Performance Monitor.
- Compmgmt.msc runs the Computer Management console.
- hcp://system/netdiag/dglogs.htm runs Network Diagnostics.
- hcp://system/sysinfo/sysInfoLaunch.htm runs Advanced System Information.
