Shortcut (computers)
A keyboard shortcut (also known as an accelerator key or hotkey) is a set of keyboard keys that when pressed simultaneously, perform a predefined task. Such a task could be done with the mouse (or other analog input such as a trackball), but would require much longer. Hence, they are a shortcut in that they save the user time.
Useful Microsoft Windows keyboard shortcuts:
- Control+A: Selects the entire document for copying, deletion, etc.
- Control+C: Copy currently selected text or object to clipboard
- Control+P: Opens Printer dialog box in readiness for printing a document or webpage
- Control+V: Paste current contents of clipboard at current location in document
- Shift+Insert: Paste current contents of clipboard at current location in document
- Control+X: Cut (remove) currently selected text or object from document and copy it to the clipboard
- Alt+Tab: Shift focus to next window
- Windows button+D: Minimize all open windows
- Windows button+F: Open a search window
- Alt+F4: Close current window
Note - Control+Alt+Delete, which opens the task manager (in Windows 95 and 98), is not a shortcut. As there is no other way to open the task manager, by definition, it cannot be one.
See also: modifier key
