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HP PCs - Keyboard Shortcuts, Hotkeys, and Special

Keys (Windows)
 Common keyboard shortcuts

 Windows 10 shortcuts
 Windows 8 shortcuts

 Windows 7 shortcuts
 Keys with icons or symbols

 Frequently asked questions

This document is for HP computers with Windows.

Discover useful keyboard features in Windows that can make navigation, tasks, and functions quicker and
easier.

Common keyboard shortcuts

Use key press combinations to perform common tasks in Windows.
NOTE: The Windows key on your keyboard is labeled as a Windows flag icon or and is usedNeed he
in many key press combinations. trouble

Task Keystroke Result

Get help about the software or app that is currently active.

Get help F1 For help with Windows, press F1 while at the Windows
desktop.

Copy a selection to the Windows clipboard to be pasted

Copy Ctrl + C
later.

Paste Ctrl + V Paste a previously cut or copied selection into an app.

Delete a selection and copy it to the Windows clipboard to

Cut Ctrl + X
be pasted later.

Save Ctrl + S Save a file from the currently active app.

Undo an Undo the last action done in Windows. Repeat this keypress
Ctrl + Z
action to continue undoing previous actions.

Apply bold emphasis to selected text while text is being

Bold text Ctrl + B
edited.

Underline
Ctrl + U Underline selected text while text is being edited.
text

Italicize Apply italicized emphasis to selected text while text is being

Ctrl + I
text edited.

Destroy a Delete a selected file in Windows without moving it to the

Shift + Delete
file Recycle Bin. The file is permanently deleted.

File Alt + Enter (or double- Quickly find a file's property information. The key press
properties click) works from the desktop, File Explorer, or Windows Explorer.
Task Keystroke Result Need he
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Copy a picture of the screen to the Windows clipboard to be
Screenshot Prt Scr (Print Screen) pasted as a graphic later. On some laptops, you may need to
press and hold Fn before pressing Prt Scr.

Take a
Shift + Prt Scr (Print Copy a picture of the current window (not the entire screen)
picture of a
Screen) to the Windows clipboard to be pasted as a graphic later.
window

Close a With the window active, Close the currently active window or app. This task can be
window or press Alt + F4 (Function useful when you want to close a webpage that does not
web page key F4) have a close window button.

Shut down With the Windows desktop

Open a window where you can select power functions, such
or restart active, press Alt + F4
as Log off, Sleep, Hibernate, Restart and Shut down.
Windows (Function key F4)

Open the
Start menu The Windows key or
Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.
or Start Ctrl + Esc
screen

Open a Alt + the letter key

window matching the underlined Instead of using a mouse to open menus or select items
menu or letter of the menu or within menus, use this key press combination.
menu item menu item

Open a
right-click Shift + F10 (Function key Instead of using a mouse to right-click an item in Windows,
(contextual) F10) use this key press combination.
menu

Run a
Windows key + R Open the Run dialog box to type Windows commands.
command

Switch Display all active windows. Switch to another window by

between Alt + Tab repeatedly pressing the tab key while holding down the Alt
apps key.

Minimize Windows key + Down Remove the current window from view without closing. You
window arrow can access the window again by clicking the tray icon.
 Task Keystroke Result Need he
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Maximize Change the size of the current window to fill the entire
Windows key + Up arrow
window screen.

Minimize all
Windows key + M Minimize all active windows.
windows

Restore all
Restore all active windows that were minimized to the
minimized Windows key + Shift + M
system tray.
windows

Ease of
Open accessibility features, such as screen reading, high
Access Windows key + U
contrast screens, mouse alternative options, and more.
Center

Open Task Open the task manager utility to monitor currently running
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Manager tasks and network activity.

Open
Windows key + Pause / Open System Properties for quick access to basic system
System
Break information and links to other helpful system tools.
Properties

Windows 10 shortcuts
Use key press combinations to quickly access common functions in Windows 10.

Function Keystroke Result

Windows
key
Start
or Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.
menu
Ctrl +
Esc

Windows
key + S
Search Open a search window to find files, folders, apps, settings, and websites.
(Windows
10)
Function Keystroke Result Need he
trouble
Windows
Search for
key + Ctrl Find computers on a local network.
computers
+F

Windows
Dictation Open the Dictation input feature.
key + H

File Windows Open a File Explorer window to browse the files and folders on your
Explorer key + E computer.

Windows Open a Settings window where you can change the behavior of features in
Settings
key + I Windows.

Connect to Windows
Open the Connect or Devices view to connect to Bluetooth devices.
devices key + K

Lock the Windows

Lock the computer to prevent unauthorized access while you are away.
computer key + L

Screen
Windows Prevent or allow the screen to rotate when the display device is rotated, if
orientation
key + O supported.
lock

Advanced Windows
Open the Advanced Settings menu.
Settings key + X

Resize and display all currently active windows to fit proportionally on the
View
Windows screen (thumbnail view). Use this view to quickly see everything currently
active
key + Tab running and to close or switch between windows. Repeat this key press to
apps
return the windows to their previous size and placement.

Windows Windows Hide the Start screen or minimize all active windows and menus to display the
desktop key + D desktop. Repeat this key press to restore the previous view.

Windows
key + Left
Snap a
arrow or Move and resize the current window to the left or right half of the screen.
Window
Right
arrow
 Function Keystroke Result Need he
trouble
Windows
Save a key + Prt Saves a picture of your screen as a PNG graphic file to a Screenshots folder in
screenshot Scr (Print your Pictures library.
Screen)

Windows 8 shortcuts
Use key press combinations to quickly access common functions in Windows 8.

Function Keystroke Result

Windows
key
Start
or Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.
menu
Ctrl +
Esc

Windows
key + F
Search Open a search window to find files, folders, apps, settings, and websites.
(Windows
8)

Windows
Search for
key + Ctrl Find computers on a local network.
computers
+F

Windows
Share Open the Share menu where you can send files or messages to others.
key + H

File Windows Open a File Explorer window to browse the files and folders on your
Explorer key + E computer.

Windows Open a Settings window where you can change the behavior of features in
Settings
key + I Windows.

Connect to Windows
Open the Connect or Devices view to connect to Bluetooth devices.
devices key + K
 Function Keystroke Result Need he
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Lock the Windows
Lock the computer to prevent unauthorized access while you are away.
computer key + L

Windows
Clock Open the clock.
key + C

Screen
Windows Prevent or allow the screen to rotate when the display device is rotated, if
orientation
key + O supported.
lock

Advanced Windows
Open the Advanced Settings menu.
Settings key + X

Resize and display all currently active windows to fit proportionally on the
View
Windows screen (thumbnail view). Use this view to quickly see everything currently
active
key + Tab running and to close or switch between windows. Repeat this key press to
apps
return the windows to their previous size and placement.

Windows Windows Hide the Start screen or minimize all active windows and menus to display the
desktop key + D desktop. Repeat this key press to restore the previous view.

Windows
key + Left
Snap a
arrow or Move and resize the current window to the left or right half of the screen.
Window
Right
arrow

Windows
Save a key + Prt Saves a picture of your screen as a PNG graphic file to a Screenshots folder in
screenshot Scr (Print your Pictures library.
Screen)

Windows 7 shortcuts
Use key press combinations to quickly access common functions in Windows 7.

Function Keystroke Result

 Function Keystroke Result Need he
trouble
Windows key
Start menu or Open or close the Start menu.
Ctrl + Esc

Windows key + Open Windows Explorer window to browse the files and folders on
File Explorer
E your computer.

Search for Windows key + Open a Search results window to find a file or folder on your
files F computer.

Search for Windows key +

Find computers on a local network.
computers Ctrl + F

Lock the Windows key + Lock the computer to prevent unauthorized access while you are
computer L away.

Mobility
Open the Mobility Center menu for quick access to functions used
Center (for Windows key +
most often on laptops and mobile devices: volume, battery status,
mobile X
wireless network, etc.
devices)

Windows Windows key + Minimize all active windows and menus and display the desktop.
desktop D Repeat this key press to restore the previous view.

Windows key +
Snap a Move and resize the current window to the left or right half of the
Left arrow or
Window screen.
Right arrow

Keys with icons or symbols

Most keyboards come with special symbols applied to the function keys. Your HP keyboard might have extra
keys or buttons with icons as well. Use this section to understand the meaning of those icons and symbols.

NOTE: On most laptop keyboards, you must press and hold the fn key before pressing the key
with the symbol to perform the function.
Task Symbol Meaning Need he
trouble
Turn wireless Internet on or off. There is usually an LED or on-screen
Enable
notification to indicate the status of Wi-Fi: on, off, or on and not connected.
wireless
This symbol key does not turn on Bluetooth.

Airplane
Enable or disable all wireless communications from the computer.
mode

Presentation
Switch to another display mode when an external display is connected.
mode

Illuminate
If your laptop is equipped with an illuminated keyboard, turn keyboard
the
illumination on or off.
keyboard

Search Open a search window to find files, folders, apps, settings, and websites.

Decrease
screen Dim the brightness of the built-in display screen.
brightness

Increase
screen Increase the brightness of the built-in display screen.
brightness

Menu /
Open a right-click menu.
Right-click

Copy Copy selection to clipboard. Same as pressing CTRL + C.

Lock the
Exit Windows to the sign-in screen.
computer

Suspend the
Place the computer in sleep or suspend mode.
computer

Mute Silence the speakers or headphones. Repeat the press to allow sound.
Task Symbol Meaning Need he
trouble
Volume
Decrease the volume of speakers or headphones.
down

Volume up Increase the volume of speakers or headphones.

Play / Pause Play or pause media, such as music or videos. This key does not work unless
media media is active.

Stop playback of media, such as music or videos. This key does not work
Stop media
unless media is active.

Skip (media) Play next section or track of audio or video.

Previous Restart current media from the beginning. If pressed repeatedly, plays the
(media) previous track or clip.

Share Open the Share menu where you can send files or messages to others.

Open a Settings window where you can change the behavior of features in
Settings
Windows.

Activates or deactivates scroll lock. Scroll lock uses the arrow keys to move
Scroll Lock within a window instead of using a mouse and the scroll bar. Scroll lock is only
used by a few software apps, such as Microsoft Excel.

Connect to Open the Connect or Devices view where you can connect to Bluetooth
devices devices.

Arrange app
Display apps side-by-side for simultaneous viewing.
view

Switch apps Switch between open apps.

 Task Symbol Meaning Need he
trouble
Show app
Show the app commands that are available for the app that is currently open.
commands

List apps List apps that are open in the background.

Connect to
Open the default Internet browser.
the Internet

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about using extended keyboard features.

How do I change or disable a key?

How do I turn the Fn key on or off?

What do the function keys do? (F1, F2, etc.)

How do I type an at sign (@)?

Can I use my keyboard as a mouse?

What do I do when some keys type the wrong characters?

Additional support options

Try one of our automated Ask a question on our HP Get in touch with one of our
tools or diagnostics Support Community page support agents
 See solutions Go now Contact us Need he
trouble

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