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HP PCs - Keyboard Shortcuts, Hotkeys, and Special Keys

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 F1 Get help about the software or app that is
currently active. For help with Windows, 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 an action Ctrl + Z Undo the last action done in Windows. Repeat
this keypress to continue undoing 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.
Italicize text Ctrl + I Apply italicized emphasis to selected text while
text is being edited.
Destroy a file Shift + Delete Delete a selected file in Windows without
moving it to the Recycle Bin. The file is
permanently deleted.
File properties Alt + Enter (or double- Quickly find a file's property information. The
click) key press works from the desktop, File
Explorer, or Windows Explorer.
Screenshot Prt Scr (Print Screen) Copy a picture of the screen to the Windows
clipboard to be pasted as a graphic later. On
some laptops, you may need to press and hold
Fn before pressing Prt Scr.
Task Keystroke Result
Take a picture of Shift + Prt Scr (Print Copy a picture of the current window (not the
a window Screen) entire screen) to the Windows clipboard to be
pasted as a graphic later.
Close a window With the window active, Close the currently active window or app. This
or web page press Alt + F4 (Function task can be useful when you want to close a
key F4) webpage that does not have a close window
button.
Shut down or With the Windows Open a window where you can select power
restart Windows desktop active, press Alt functions, such as Log off, Sleep, Hibernate,
+ F4 (Function key F4) Restart and Shut down.
Open the Start The Windows key or Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.
menu or Start
screen Ctrl + Esc

Open a window Alt + the letter key Instead of using a mouse to open menus or
menu or menu matching the underlined select items within menus, use this key press
item letter of the menu or combination.
menu item
Open a right-click Shift + F10 (Function key Instead of using a mouse to right-click an item
(contextual) menu F10) in Windows, use this key press combination.
Run a command Windows key + R Open the Run dialog box to type Windows
commands.
Switch between Alt + Tab Display all active windows. Switch to another
apps window by repeatedly pressing the tab key
while holding down the Alt key.
Minimize Windows key + Down Remove the current window from view without
window arrow closing. You can access the window again by
clicking the tray icon.
Maximize Windows key + Up arrow Change the size of the current window to fill
window the entire screen.
Minimize all Windows key + M Minimize all active windows.
windows
Restore all Windows key + Shift + M Restore all active windows that were minimized
minimized to the system tray.
windows
Ease of Access Windows key + U Open accessibility features, such as screen
Center reading, high contrast screens, mouse
alternative options, and more.
Open Task Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open the task manager utility to monitor
Manager currently running tasks and network activity.
Task Keystroke Result
Open System Windows key + Pause / Open System Properties for quick access to
Properties Break basic system information and links to 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
Start menu Windows key Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.
or
Ctrl + Esc
Search Windows key + Open a search window to find files, folders, apps, settings, and
S (Windows 10) websites.
Windows key +
F (Windows 8)
Search for Windows key + Find computers on a local network.
computers Ctrl + F
Share Windows key + Open the Share menu where you can send files or messages to
H others.
File Explorer Windows key + Open a File Explorer window to browse the files and folders
E on your computer.
Settings Windows key + Open a Settings window where you can change the behavior
I of features in Windows.
Connect to Windows key + Open the Connect or Devices view to connect to Bluetooth
devices K devices.
Lock the Windows key + Lock the computer to prevent unauthorized access while you
computer L are away.
Clock Windows key + Open the clock in Windows 8. In Windows 10, the clock is
C always visible and a key press is not needed.
Screen Windows key + Prevent or allow the screen to rotate when the display device
orientation O is rotated, if supported.
lock
Advanced Windows key + Open the Advanced Settings menu.
Settings X
View active Windows key + Resize and display all currently active windows to fit
apps Tab proportionally on the screen (thumbnail view). Use this view
to quickly see everything currently running and to close or
switch between windows. Repeat this key press to return the
Function Keystroke Result
windows to their previous size and placement.
Windows Windows key + Hide the Start screen or minimize all active windows and
desktop D menus to display the desktop. Repeat this key press to restore
the previous view.
Snap a Windows key + Move and resize the current window to the left or right half of
Window Left arrow or the screen.
Right arrow
Save a Windows key + Saves a picture of your screen as a PNG graphic file to a
screenshot Prt Scr (Print Screenshots folder in your Pictures library.
Screen)
Windows 7 shortcuts
Use key press combinations to quickly access common functions in Windows 7.
Function Keystroke Result
Start menu Windows key Open or close the Start menu.
or
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 + Find computers on a local network.
computers Ctrl + F
Lock the Windows key + L Lock the computer to prevent unauthorized access
computer while you are away.
Mobility Center Windows key + X Open the Mobility Center menu for quick access to
(for mobile functions used most often on laptops and mobile
devices) devices: volume, battery status, wireless network, etc.
Windows desktop Windows key + D Minimize all active windows and menus and display
the desktop. Repeat this key press to restore the
previous view.
Snap a Window Windows key + Move and resize the current window to the left or
Left arrow or Right right half of the screen.
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 wireless Turn wireless Internet on or off. There is usually an LED or on-
screen notification to indicate the status of Wi-Fi: on, 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

Illuminate the If your laptop is equipped with an illuminated keyboard, turn

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

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

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

Menu / Right- Open a right-click menu.

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

Lock the Exit Windows to the sign-in screen.

Suspend the Place the computer in sleep or suspend mode.

Mute Silence the speakers or headphones. Repeat the press to allow

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
media work unless media is active.
Task Symbol Meaning
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.

Previous Restart current media from the beginning. If pressed repeatedly,

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.

Scroll Lock Activates or deactivates scroll lock. Scroll lock uses the arrow keys
to move 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
devices Bluetooth devices.

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

Switch apps Switch between open apps.

Show app Show the app commands that are available for the app that is
commands currently open.

List apps List apps that are open in the background.

Connect to the Open the default Internet browser.