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KEY BOARD CHARACTERS AND SHORTCUTS

A Standard alphanumeric /keyboards have 101-keys in US traditional keyboards or the
104- keys in Windows keyboards; include alphabetic characters, punctuation symbols, numbers
and a variety of function keys. The internationally-common 102/105 key keyboards have a
smaller left shift key and an additional key with some more symbols between that and the letter
to its right (usually Z or Y). There are 12 function keys in a keyboard.
QWERTY keyboard
Also known as the Sholes keyboard, the QWERTY keyboard was invented by Christopher
Sholes who invented the typewriter in 1868. The QWERTY keyboard is named after the five
letter keys located at the top left side of the keyboard and is now the official standard of
computer keyboards. Today, the QWERTY keyboard is the most commonly found and used
computer keyboard in the United States and in India.
Function keys
Y A function key is a key on a computer which can be programmed so as to cause an
operating system or application program to perform certain actions. On some keyboards/
computers, function keys may have default actions, accessible on power-on or computer
start up.
Y Fn, or Function, is a modifier key on many keyboards, especially on laptops. It is
typically found on laptops, since a full sized keyboard would be difficult to fit in a laptop chassis.
 During Microsoft Windows startup, F8 is used to enter safe mode.
 These are some times used in combination with Alt, Ctrl, Shift, keys to operate specific
function.For example Alt + F4 will close the program currently active in Microsoft Windows.
F1
 Almost always used as the help key, almost every program will open the help screen when
this key is pressed.
 Windows Key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
 Open the Task Pane.
F2
 In Windows commonly used to rename a highlighted icon or file.
 Alt + Ctrl + F2 opens a new document in Microsoft Word.
 Ctrl + F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
F3
 Often opens a search feature for many programs including Microsoft Windows.
 Shift + F3 will change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lower case or a capital letter
at the beginning of every word.
F4
 Open find window.
 Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+)
 Alt + F4 will close the program currently active in Microsoft Windows.
 Ctrl + F4 will close the open window within the current active window in Microsoft Windows.
F5
 In all modern Internet browsers pressing F5 will refresh or reload the page or document
window.

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 Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.

 Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.
F6
 Move the cursor to the Address bar in Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
 Ctrl + Shift + F6 opens another Microsoft Word document.
F7
 Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such
as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
Shift + F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
Turns on Caret browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
F8
 Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly use to get into Windows
Safe Mode.
F9
 Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
F10
 In Microsoft Windows activates the menu bar of an open application.
 Shift + F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
F11
 Full-screen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
F12
 Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
 Shift + F12 save the Microsoft Word document.
 Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
Enter key
 Enter key (or the return key) is used to finally O.K the commands in DOS operating system.
In windows like operating it is used to O.K a dialog box.
 The simplest type of dialog box is the alert, which displays a message and may require
an acknowledgment that the message has been read, usually by clicking ENTER KEY
This is typically to finish an entry and begin the desired process, and is an OK button.

DIALOG BOX
 The return key is in some applications (mainly page layout,
word processing) it is the one that operates like the carriage
return key in a type writer which is used to start a new line
or paragraph.That is why it has an arrow pointing down to
left8 Enter which is the symbol for carriage return to
next line or para. In modern word processing applications
like MS WORD documents, pressing the return key ends a paragraph and starts a new
one.
Modifier key
 A modifier key is a special key on a computer keyboard that modifies the normal
action of another key when the two are pressed in combination. For example, Alt+F4 in
Microsoft Windows will close the program in the active window; in this instance, Alt is the
modifier key.
 In contrast, pressing just F4 will probably do nothing unless assigned a specific function in

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a particular program. By themselves, modifier keys usually do nothing, that is, pressing Alt
alone does not trigger any action from the computer.
Modifier keys on personal computers
The most common are:
Y h Shift
Y Ctrl
Y Alt (Alternative)
Y AltGr (Alternative Graphic)
Y Super called Windows key on Windows keyboards, Cmd key on Mac OS computers or
Meta key on SUN.
Y Fn (Function) present on small-layout keyboard, usually on notebooks.
Y h Shift is the oldest in terms of keyboards in general as it originates from typewriters and
is usually used to make uppercase letters when typing.
Space Bar
The Space bar Button is the longest button in a keyboard. It is in the form of a horizontal
Stick in the lowest most row of the key board. Its main purpose is to conveniently enter the
space, e.g., between words during typing. It is large enough so that a thumb from either hand
can use it.
Numeric keypad (17 keys)
A numeric keypad, numpad or tenkey for short, is the small, palm-sized, seventeen key
section of a computer keyboard, usually on the very far right. The numeric keypad features
digits 0 to 9, addition (+), subtraction (), multiplication (*) and division (/) symbols, a
decimal point (.) and Num Lock and Enter keys
Lock keys
Lock is a function that locks part of a keyboard keys depending on the lock settings selected.
These are also called Toggle keys. Its state whether it is locked or not is commonly represented
by an LED light built into the keyboard. Most keyboards have three different types of lock
functions:
Y Number Lock
Num Lock
Y Capital Lock
Caps Lock
Y Scrolling Lock
Scroll Lock
Number Lock
 It is the Short name for numeric lock or number lock, the Num Lock key is located on the
Numeric keypad of the keyboard and enables and disables the numeric pad.
 Turning the Num Lock on will allow the user to use the numbers on the keypad and
turning the Num Lock off will enable the number keys function as an Arrow pad.
 The Num Lock key exists because earlier 84-key IBM PC keyboards did not have arrow
Keys. So in order to have the functions of the arrow keys the Num Lock was used.
 If Num Lock is disabled, numbers on the key board functions as arrows. For example
When Num Lock is disabled, and number 2 is pressed, it functions as Down Arrow Key.
Caps lock
 Computer keyboard toggle key that enables or disables all the letters from being typed in
uppercase. When the caps lock key is enabled, a user would type: LIKE THIS and when it is
disabled, a user would type: like this.
Scroll lock key
 A key found on a computer keyboard often located close to the keyboard pause key. The

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scroll lock key is intended to temporarily stop the scrolling of text or halt the operation of
a program.
 There are not many software programs today that take advantage or have a use for this key.
Microsoft Excel is a good example of a software program that uses this key. If scroll lock is
enabled on the keyboard when you press any of the arrow keys the screen will move in
that direction but the selected cell will not change.
Print screen key
Sometimes abbreviated as PRTSC or Prt Scrn, the print screen key is a keyboard key found on
most computer keyboards. When pressed, the key either sends the current screen image to
the computer clipboard or the computer printer depending on the operating system or software
program.
Windows key/ Win key Win
A keyboard key commonly found on IBM compatible computers running the Microsoft
Windows operating system. The Windows key has the Microsoft flag logo on it and is located
between the CTRL and ALT keys on the keyboard. This key allows a user to perform commonly
performed tasks using the Windows key in combination with another key.
Tab Key
 It is used for an indentation at the beginning of a line to signify a new paragraph in a
document. Usually about five spaces, tabs are primarily used to help create equal spacing
between multiple lines or to start a new paragraph.
 In a software program window and on the Internet, a tab allows for the user to access
different parts of a menu, display, or page. Below is an example of what tabs may look like in
a Microsoft Windows window.

Arrow keys
 Alternatively referred to as cursor keys, arrow keys are keyboard keys located in-between
the standard keyboard and the numeric pad on computer keyboards. These are used as follows
 To Move the text cursor on the screen.
 Use in combination with other keys for shortcut keys. For example, pressing the Alt key
and the left arrow key in Microsoft Internet Explorer will take you back one Internet
page.
 Move a character in a computer game.
 Select text. For example, holding down shift and pressing the arrow key in the direction you
want to highlight text.
Backspace key
 Sometimes referred to as the rubout key, the backspace key or back space key is a
keyboard key used to delete any character or text in the left direction of the position of
the cursor.
Delete Key
 In general delete refers to removing a file, text, or other object from the computer. Microsoft
Windows users, , and other users using other types of GUI Operating Systems can delete files
by highlighting a file and pressing the delete or del key on the keyboard.
Pause key
 Microsoft operating system command that enables the user to pause a batch file or other
computer functions. It allows the user of a software program to temporarily halt what is being
run or played, but keep the current location to be resumed at a later time. A good example

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of a pause function is the pause function commonly available in audio programs such as a CDPlayer or MP3 player and other multimedia programs.
Break key
 A computer keyboard key often located on the same key as the pause key that enables a
user to break the computer from a pause or other halt position. To use the break key requires
that you press CTRL at the same time as the break key.
Insert key
 It is used to place, text in-between other text. This mode is entered and exited by
pressing the insert key. When insert key is enabled it will overwrite text to the right of
the cursor as the user types. It is also known as OVR or overtype mode.
Home key
 It is Key on the keyboard usually located above the end key and is often used to return
the user to the beginning of the line or the beginning of a document.
End key
 A key found on most computer keyboards indicated by the word: End that moves the cursor
to the end of the line, paragraph, page, screen, cell, or document depending on the program and
where your cursor is currently positioned.
ESC key
 Short for escape, esc is a key located on a computer keyboard that allows a user to
cancel or abort operations.
Basic PC shortcut keys :
Shortcut Keys Description
Alt + F File menu options in current program.
Alt + E Edit options in current program
F1 Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
Ctrl + ASelect all text.
Ctrl + XCut selected item.
Shift + Del Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C Copy selected item.
Ctrl + Ins Copy selected item
Ctrl + VPaste
Shift + Ins Paste
Home Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home Goes to beginning of document.
End Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End Goes to end of document.
Shift + Home Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
Shift + End Highlights from current position to end of line.
Ctrl + Left arrow Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow Moves one word to the right at a time.
Windows key keyboard shortcuts
Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft
Windows operating system and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of
shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by WINKEY.

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Shortcut Keys
Description
WINKEY
Pressing the Windows key alone will open Start Menu.
WINKEY + F1 Opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
WINKEY + F3 Opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
WINKEY + D Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
WINKEY + M Minimizes all windows.
WINKEY + SHIFT + M Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.
WINKEY + E Open Microsoft Explorer.
WINKEY + Tab Cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
WINKEY + F Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
WINKEY + CTRL + F Display the search for computers window.
WINKEY + F1 Display the Microsoft Windows help.
WINKEY + R Open the run window.
WINKEY + Pause / Break key
Open the system properties window.
WINKEY + U Open Utility Manager.
WINKEY + L Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).
WINKEY + P Quickly change between monitor display types. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + LEFT ARROW Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side
viewing. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + RIGHT ARROW Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by
side viewing. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + UP ARROW When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen
back to full size. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + DOWN ARROW Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing
mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size. (Windows 7 only)
KEY BOARD MACROS OR MOUSE MACROS
 Theses are the Series of keyboard, mouse actions, or other computer steps programmed
to be run quickly and easily particularly a routine thing is being done on a computer. In
this way, frequently-used or repetitive sequences of keystrokes and mouse movements can
be automated.
 Separate programs for creating these macros are called macro recorders. Macros are
commonly created for operations that are commonly performed on a computer. Using a macro
allows a user to quickly perform an operation with a press of a key or the execution of a
command.
 For example, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are two popular and widely used programs
that are capable of executing macros.
 A MAC or Macro virus is a computer virus that spreads to other computers through software
programs that utilize macros.
WINDOWS UTILITIES
 Control Panel: Allows users to view and manipulate basic system settings and controls,
such asadding hardware, adding and removing software, controlling user accounts, changing
accessibility options, and so on.
 Device Manager : Allows the user to display and control the hardware attached to the
computer, and control what device drivers are used.
 Disk Defragmenter: Defrag is utility which chronologically place the data on the hard disk
drive by defragmenting( placing in an orderly way) files, which were previously scattered

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(fragmented)throughout the hard disk drive, in an allowing the read-write head to access the
data faster on the hard disk drive.
 Disk Backup utility can make a copy of all information stored on a disk, and restore either
the entire disk (e.g. in an event of disk failure) or selected files (e.g. in an event of accidental
deletion).
 Disk compression utilities can transparently compress/uncompress the contents of a disk,
increasing the capacity of the disk.
 Windows Security Center: Centralizes and reports on the status of anti-virus, Automatic
Updates, Windows Firewall, and other security-related components of the operating system.
 System Restore: Allows for the rolling back of system files, registry keys, installed programs,
etc., to a previous state in the event of a system failure.
 Windows Disk Defragmenter: Rearranges files stored on a hard disk to occupy contiguous
storage locations in order to optimize computer performance.
 Windows Explorer: Provides an interface for accessing the file systems, launching
applications, and performing common tasks such as viewing and printing pictures.
 Windows Search: Starting with Windows Vista, search is a tightly shell-integrated component
of Windows.
 Start menu: Serves as the central launching point for applications. It provides a customizable,
nested list of programs for the user to launch, as well as a list of most recently opened documents,
a way to find files and get help, and access to the system settings. By default, the Start Button
is visible at all times in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
 ScanDisk is a software utility capable of checking the hard disk drive or floppy diskette
drive for any disk errors.
 Taskbar: The application desktop bar which is used to launch and monitor applications.
 Notepad: A simple text editor.
 Command Prompt: A text-based shell (command line interpreter) that provides a command
lineinterface to the operating system.
 WordPad: A simple word processor that is more advanced than Notepad. It has facilities to
format and print text, but lacks intermediate features such as a spell checker and thesaurus.
 Windows Remote Assistance: Allows a user to temporarily take over a remote computer
over a network or the internet to offer help with and resolve issues.
 Windows Media Player: A digital media player and media library application that is used
for playing audio, playing video and viewing images. In addition to being a media player, Windows
Media Player includes the ability to rip music from, and copy music to compact discs, synchronize
content with a digital audio player (MP3 player) or other mobile devices, and let users purchase
or rent music from a number of online music stores.
 Windows Task Manager: Provides information about computer performance and displays
details about running applications, processes, network activity, logged-in users, and system
services.
 Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and
options on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains settings for low-level operating
system components as well as the applications running on the platform:
 Disk Cleanup: A utility for compacting rarely used files and removing files that are no longer
required.
 Snipping Tool: A screen-capture tool that allows for taking screen shots (called snips).
 File Allocation Table: FAT, FAT12, and FAT16 the original file systems used with MSDOS. The standard file systems used with Windows 1.0 through Windows 95 FAT32 is the
standard file system for Windows 98 and Me. NTFS is the Standard file system of Windows NT
and XP.

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