Windows XP keyboard shortcuts

(WINDOWSNETWORKING.COM) In all the systems and computer related classes I have ever taught, or all the classes I have ever taken, learning how to manipulate the keyboard and the mouse at the same time (of just use the keyboard without a mouse in case one is not present) has been one of the most underrated (and least used) features of the system. Keyboard shortcuts are skills we can all use and they only serve a helpful purpose if they can be recalled quickly. This article's mission is to quickly teach you these shortcuts, remind you of them or just provide a handy chart for you to follow if you need a reference.

Let's learn how to use the 15 top most commonly used Windows XP shortcuts.




15 Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts

To take advantage of this drill, you should be comfortable using a keyboard, otherwise the speed you want to increase will be taken away by you not being entirely sure where a certain key is, so it helps to be familiar with the layout.

First, take a good look at your keyboard and be familiar with the layout. Most of you will have something similar to the illustration seen here as this is a standard 101 key keyboard layout.

Figure 1

Note: Laptop users may have the same keys on their systems, but in different places so take a second to familiarize yourself with key placement before you begin the exercise. If you have something similar, then you will be fine. Many peripheral vendors added a lot to their keyboards, such as multimedia options and so on.

Tip 1: Quickly Accessing the Start Menu

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key

Figure 2

If you are just plan old 'sick and tired' of using the mouse to click on the infamous button to display the Windows Start Menu, then you simply only need to hit the 'Windows' Key. Using either or (there are usually two of them, one on a laptop keyboard) so you can use either or. The Windows key once pressed will launch the start menu -- once you release the key, the menu will appear. Get used to this key; many of the other shortcuts you will use rely on this key.

Note: You may have a 'very' old keyboard that may not include the Windows Key on it. You will not be able to use this shortcut unless you get a new keyboard.

You can also use Ctrl + Esc

Tip 2: Quickly getting to your System Properties

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + Pause/Break

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