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HP PCs - Keyboard Shortcuts, Hotkeys, and Special Keys (Windows)

Common keyboard shortcuts

Windows 10 and 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 used in many key press combinations.

Task Keystroke Result

Get help about the software or app that is currently active. For help with Windows,
Get help F1
press F1 while at the Windows desktop.

Copy Ctrl + C Copy a selection to the Windows clipboard to be pasted later.

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

Cut Ctrl + X Delete a selection and copy it to the Windows clipboard to be pasted later.

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

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

Bold text Ctrl + B Apply bold emphasis to selected text while text is being edited.

Underline text Ctrl + U Underline selected text while text is being edited.
Task Keystroke Result

Italicize text Ctrl + I Apply italicized emphasis to selected text while text is being edited.

Delete a selected file in Windows without moving it to the Recycle Bin. The file is
Destroy a file Shift + Delete
permanently deleted.

Quickly find a file's property information. The key press works from the desktop,
File properties Alt + Enter (or double-click)
File Explorer, or Windows Explorer.

Copy a picture of the screen to the Windows clipboard to be pasted as a graphic

Screenshot Prt Scr (Print Screen)
later. On some laptops, you may need to press and hold Fn before pressing Prt Scr.

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

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

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

Open the Start The Windows key or

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

Open a window Alt + the letter key matching the

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

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

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

Switch between Display all active windows. Switch to another window by repeatedly pressing the
Alt + Tab
apps tab key while holding down the Alt key.

Remove the current window from view without closing. You can access the
Minimize window Windows key + Down arrow
window again by clicking the tray icon.

Maximize
Windows key + Up arrow Change the size of the current window to fill the entire screen.
window
 Task Keystroke Result

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

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

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

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

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

Windows 10 and 8 shortcuts

Use key press combinations to quickly access common functions in Windows 10 and 8.

Function Keystroke Result

Windows key

Start menu or Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.

Ctrl + Esc

Windows key
+ S (Windows
10)
Search Open a search window to find files, folders, apps, settings, and websites.
Windows key
+ F (Windows
8)

Search for Windows key

Find computers on a local network.
computers + Ctrl + F

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

File Windows key

Open a File Explorer window to browse the files and folders on your computer.
Explorer +E
 Function Keystroke Result

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

Connect to Windows key

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

Lock the Windows key

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

Windows key
Clock Open the clock in Windows 8. In Windows 10, the clock is always visible and a key press is not needed.
+C

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

Advanced Windows key

Open the Advanced Settings menu.
Settings +X

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

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

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

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

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

Function Keystroke Result

 Windows key

Start menu or Open or close the Start menu.

Ctrl + Esc

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windows key + Left

Snap a Window Move and resize the current window to the left or right half of the screen.
arrow or 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

Enable Turn wireless Internet on or off. There is usually an LED or on-screen notification to indicate the status of Wi-Fi: on,
wireless off, or on and not connected. This symbol key does not turn on Bluetooth.

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

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

Illuminate the
If your laptop is equipped with an illuminated keyboard, turn keyboard 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 / Right-
Open a right-click menu.
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.

Volume down Decrease the volume of speakers or headphones.

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 is active.
media

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

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

 Task Symbol Meaning

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

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

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

Activates or deactivates scroll lock. Scroll lock uses the arrow keys to move within a window instead of using a
Scroll Lock
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.

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 the
Open the default Internet browser.
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?

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