Where is the Quick Entry button on the keyboard? Special keys on the keyboard

In many of our articles you can see text like: Win + R.
This text means that you need to press the combination of the Windows logo key and the letter on your keyboard R.
Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of two or more keys that can be pressed to perform tasks that typically require the use of a mouse or other pointing device.

This list is more complete; most of the keyboard shortcuts are valid for other operating systems of the Windows family.

The following are the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcuts for working with text.

Keyboard shortcuts for working with windows and the desktop.

Keyboard shortcuts for working with multiple monitors.

Keyboard shortcuts for working with the Taskbar.

Keyboard shortcuts for working in Windows Explorer.

Keyboard shortcuts for the dialog box.

Keyboard shortcuts for using Windows Help.

Keyboard shortcuts for working with Ease of Access Center.

Keyboard shortcuts for working with Magnifier.

Other keyboard shortcuts.

Material prepared by: Nizaury

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Is it possible to use a laptop or computer without a touchpad or mouse? Is it possible to open a program without using the menu? At first glance, this seems impossible to accomplish. But nevertheless, you can use the computer to its full capacity without endless clicks. In such cases, keyboard shortcuts come to the rescue. Correct use of their combinations allows you to significantly save time.

What are keyboard shortcuts for?

Hot keys or keyboard shortcuts are the ability to interact with a personal computer using only the keyboard. There is no doubt that for such “communication” far from random combinations of keys on the keyboard are used. The operating system has built-in actions that are triggered when certain keys are pressed.

Hot keys are used for more optimized work with a personal computer. These combinations are also called shortcut keys and keyboard accelerators.

Combinations are used most often in cases where you have to work a lot with the mouse or touchpad. It is much faster to select an item from a drop-down menu by pressing one or two keys than to constantly click on a file and search for the item you need.

The keyboard accelerator also helps with text processing. The Word text editor recognizes several dozen combinations, pressing which will cause a certain action: copy, paste, bold, underline, page break, and so on.

But the combinations also have a disadvantage. It lies in the number of combinations. It is very difficult to remember them all. But even using the most popular ones will help optimize your work with files, text, browser and dialog boxes.

Using modifier keys

Any owner of a personal computer or laptop has noticed that the keyboard has keys that do not perform any function on their own. These include Ctrl, Shift and Alt. By clicking them, it is impossible to change anything in the system, browser window or text editor. But they are precisely the modifier keys, thanks to which almost every key combination on a computer works.

Correct use of modifiers allows you to quickly access operating system settings. But such combinations work both globally and locally. With the right combination of buttons, you can create a new folder, rename a file, or even disable the keyboard.

Changing the keyboard layout: changing the key combination

All owners of personal computers running the Windows operating system know about the key combination that helps change the keyboard layout. In Windows 10, by default, two combinations are used: Win + Space and Alt + Shift. However, this option is not suitable for everyone, so users want to change the key combination to change the keyboard layout.

To change the way the keyboard layout is changed, you must:

• Open Settings through the Start menu.
• Select "Time and language".
• Go to "Region and Language".
• In the window, click on “Advanced date and time settings, regional settings.”
• In the “Language” item, select “Change input method”.
• In the menu located on the left side of the window, click on “Advanced options”.
• In the "Switch input methods" group, select "Change language bar keyboard shortcuts."
• In the dialog box that appears, click on “Change keyboard shortcut” and enter new parameters.
• Save settings.

After application they will change, and you can change the layout with a new combination.

Entering special characters using a keyboard shortcut

In some situations, it becomes necessary to enter special characters that the standard computer keyboard does not provide. Keyboard and modifier combinations didn't seem to help either.

What should you do if you urgently need to insert a copyright symbol, a down, up or side arrow, a note, or a paragraph into a message or document? There are two ways to enter such characters.

The first way is to work with the Word text editor. In order to insert a special character, you will need to open a new document, go to the “Tab” menu and select “Symbol”. In the list that appears, click on “Special characters”.

Next, a dialog box will pop up in which a list of all special characters will be presented. The user just has to choose the appropriate one. For easier searching, special characters are grouped by topic: monetary units, punctuation marks, geometric shapes, technical symbols, and so on.

To save time, the special characters window can be called up with the combination Ctrl+Alt+“-”.

The second way is using keyboard shortcuts for symbols. To enter special characters from the keyboard, you will need to hold down the Alt button and at the same time enter a set of numbers. For example, Alt+0169 is the code.

All codes are given below.

How to lock your keyboard using a keyboard shortcut

Unfortunately, there is no single key combination on the Windows 7 keyboard that will allow you to lock just the keyboard. On some computers and laptops the combination F11+Esc may work. Sometimes manufacturers introduce special combinations into their products for such tasks. For example, all Acer laptops lock the keyboard when you press Fn+F7.

But it is still possible to partially block the keyboard on the computer. The Win+L key combination locks not so much the keyboard itself as the operating system. After pressing the keys, the user will be transferred to the window for entering the system password and changing the account. Only those who know the password will be able to log in again.

Keyboard combinations for working in Word

There is a whole list of keyboard shortcuts that allow you to optimize your work with documents in the Word text editor.

To create a new document, just use the Ctrl+N keys.

Ctrl+O - opens a new file.

Ctrl+W - closes the file.

Alt+Ctrl+S - splits file windows.

Alt+Shift+C - removes division.

Ctrl+S - saves the document.

Alt + left arrow - move to the next page.

Alt + right arrow - move to the previous page.

Alt+Ctrl+I - preview.

Ctrl+P - print.

To switch to reading mode, you will need to successively press the Alt keys - O and E.

Ctrl+D - opens a window that allows you to change the type, size and properties of the font.

Shift+F3 - changes the appearance of the text: lowercase letters are replaced with uppercase ones.

Ctrl+Shift+F - replace capital letters with lowercase ones.

To make text bold, just press Ctrl+B.

Ctrl+I - tilt text selection.

Ctrl+U - adds an underline.

Ctrl+Shift+W - adds a double underline.

Ctrl+Shift+D - double underline.

Ctrl+Enter - insert a page break.

• C - copy a specific table, image or text.
• V - transferring data from the clipboard to the document.
• X - data is entered into the clipboard and deleted from the file.
• A - data selection.
• Z - cancel the last data entry.

There are many more hotkeys that allow you to optimize your work with documents. But the list presented above includes the main and most popular combinations that will be useful to every user.

Working with Dialog Boxes

Combining several buttons on the keyboard allows you to quickly navigate through operating system dialog boxes. Using arrows helps you move focus to other buttons in the window. The Backspace button moves the user to a folder that is one level higher. Pressing the Spacebar will clear the checkbox or checkmark.

The Tab button will move to the next active area of ​​the window. To move in the opposite direction, just add the Shift button to the combination.

You can quickly view all open folders and programs by holding Alt+Tab.

Keyboard shortcuts and Windows button

For many people, the Windows or Win key is associated with the Start menu. But in combination with other buttons, it works on a global scale.

Windows button +:

• A - call the “Support Center”.
• B - allows you to minimize all windows.
• Alt+D - enables or disables the appearance of the current date on the desktop.
• E - quickly opens the conductor.

“Windows” + K - instantly minimizes active windows.

Win+R - call the “Run” function.

Win+S - opens a window that allows you to search for files and programs on your personal computer.

Win+ “+”/ “-” - change the scale of the working surface.

Win and the enter button allow you to launch Narrator.

Win+Esc - closes the Magnifier application.

You can quickly open the Ease of Access Center by holding down Windows and I.

Win in combination with the up or down arrows allows you to resize the dialog box.

Working with Explorer

Pressing Alt+D allows you to move to the address bar.

Ctrl+E - activates the search field.

Ctrl+N is a universal combination that allows you to open a new window in almost any program.

Ctrl combined with scrolling changes the size of files and folders in a specific window.

Ctrl+Shift+E - displays a list of all folders that precede the active one.

Ctrl+Shift+N - creates a new folder.

If you press the F2 button after highlighting a file or folder, you can immediately rename it. The F11 key activates the preview. Pressing it again deactivates it.

Win+Ctrl+D - allows you to create a new virtual desktop. To switch between them you will need to press Win+Ctrl + left or right arrows.

A regular keyboard can be divided into several areas.

The topmost area of ​​the keyboard contains keys that are not used for entering data into the computer. These keys perform auxiliary actions, which are shown in the table below.

Esc key – this key is used to cancel an action, exit programs, games, exit applications, etc.

Functions of the "Esc" key .

Its main function is to cancel the command that was ahead. If you right-click to open a menu on the desktop or on the taskbar and then press the “Esc” key, the menu will immediately close. If you start playing a game and accidentally press the Esc key, you will almost always exit that game. But pressing this key again will take you back to your game.

When you are on the Internet, you enter the next site address, and then accidentally press the “Esc” key, you will immediately return to the previous site address that you have already reviewed.

The top row of the keyboard contains function keys (limited by a red rectangle in the picture).

Function keys FI – F12 designed to perform certain actions assigned to them. The actions depend on the programs currently running on the computer, but usually the F1 key used to call the help system of the currently running program. If any program is running, then help about this program appears.

"F2" Booting the computer while pressing this key or the “Del” key makes it possible to configure the Bios of your computer.

"F3" Calls up the search window.

"F5" Reloads the open browser page.

"F8" Booting the computer while pressing this button makes it possible to work in the safe mode of the operating system.

The actions of the remaining function keys with the F symbol are mostly possible in combination with modifier keys and may vary depending on the make and model of the computer. If the actions of any key on the keyboard of your computer differ from those described here, then you can find out about its purpose in the user manual.

"Pause/Break" . When the computer boots, it allows you to “pause” the computer – pause the boot process.

Functions of the “Pause/Break” key. When loading Windows, first you see information appearing on the monitor about your computer, the hard drive, the state of the RAM, and all its components. The information displayed on the monitor appears and disappears quite quickly and is extremely difficult to comprehend. To be able to deal with it, you just need to press the “PAUSE” button. And to complete the operating system loading process, you must press any button on the keyboard. Sometimes used by some programs.

"Print Screen/SysRq" key.

Pressing this key allows you to take a screenshot of your monitor. When you press this key, and it is located in the picture in a red frame, at the moment it is pressed, the image currently on the monitor is saved in the computer memory. Next, we take the saved image from the computer memory using a regular graphic editor, you can use the “Paint” graphic editor, which is already built into the Windows operating system. If you use the “Alt+PrintScreen” key set, you take a photo of only the active window, but the entire screen. In the picture, the “Alt” keys are in a blue frame.

Key switches the mode of displaying information on the display screen, in which pressing the cursor keys moves the screen itself, not the cursor. When you press this button, the indicator light immediately turns on. When you use this key to control the cursor, you can move the screen image. This function is used in Microsoft Excel, LotusNotes. This is especially clear in Excel. It can be used to scroll text, although it is more convenient to do this with the mouse wheel. Other programs use ScrollLock for special functions, for example, in the Opera browser, the key is used in combination with numbers to switch voice signals. Currently, this key is practically not used, so there are keyboards that do not have it.

Shift key. Pressing this key and a symbol key simultaneously allows you to temporarily switch to uppercase (capital) letter entry mode, or enter another symbol located on the same key. There are two such keys on the keyboard - left and right, and in some programs their action is different. For example, to enter the capital letter “I,” you need to press the Shift key and, without releasing it, press the I key.

Tab key. It is indicated by an icon in the form of two counter arrows and pressing it gives an indent from the beginning of the line - a paragraph. Allows tabulation - horizontal alignment of characters. A tab character is equal to eight regular characters. Tabulation is used when creating text documents. Designed to move the cursor:

1. when editing texts, it is used to move to the next tab stop, i.e. moving the cursor several positions forward;
2. in dialog boxes, moves to the next request field;
3. in a table, moves the cursor to the next cell.

In other programs, its purpose is to switch between windows on the screen.

Below it is located CapsLock key. Pressing this key fixes the writing of capital letters. When pressed again, capital letters are written again. This mode is indicated by a light indicator in the upper right corner of the keyboard. Pressing again cancels the mode. When CapsLock is enabled, pressing the key enters lowercase letters.

NumLock key turns on and off the numbers located on the right side of the keyboard. If the keyboard is turned on, you can use it to enter numbers and arithmetic operations.

When enabled, this mode is also indicated by an indicator in the upper right corner of the keyboard, signaling that the additional keyboard is in operation. Now, in addition to entering numbers from the main keyboard field, you can also enter them from the additional one. True, those symbols that are printed on the keys of the additional keyboard at the same time as numbers will not work.

In most cases, the described keyboard fields are sufficient for work, but for those who like to work with a compact numeric and control keyboard “a la calculator,” there is another additional key field - the one on the right. This field is called an additional keyboard, in contrast to the main keyboard field.

When you press this block of keys with numbers, the numbers are printed, but with one condition - when the “NumLock” key is turned on. When the NumLock key is turned off, the numeric keys perform other functions. The “End” key is duplicated by pressing the “1” key on the main keyboard and the “Home” key is duplicated by the “7” key also on the main keyboard.

The same keys move the cursor to the end and beginning of the line. When you press the “3” and “9” keys, the “PageUp” and “PageDown” keys are duplicated on the main keyboard, respectively. These same keys move the cursor up and down one screen. When you press the “2”, “4”, “8”, “6” keys, the cursor is controlled, which means that the work of the arrow key is duplicated.

Spacebar – this key creates space between letters.

The Space key is the largest key, located below the block of alphanumeric keys, used to enter a blank character, regardless of the case switch.

Spacebar function.

When using a key, words or symbols are separated from each other. But this key has an additional mode. In replacement mode, which you can enable using the “Insert” key, pressing the “Space” key enables a function that is the same as pressing the “Delete” key (this key erases characters on the right).

Backspace key – when you press this key, the character located to the left of the cursor is deleted.

Functions of the BackSpace or Left Arrow key.

When you press this key, we delete the selected one character or the entire text on the left. When you use this key in the file manager, you move up one level. And when viewing photos, by pressing this key, we go back one photo.

By using the “Alt+BackSpacr” keys together, we undo the action performed before.

Key performs data entry or confirmation of action depending on the context:

When doing work on a computer you use the numeric keypad, which is located on the right, then it is much better to use the “Enter” key, which is located on the same block.

Delete key is intended to delete an object, such as a folder, file, etc.:

1. in the text, the character to the right of the current cursor position is deleted (with the line shifted to the left);
2. in the folder windows, selected file system objects are deleted to the Recycle Bin.

You can also delete an unnecessary file by pressing the keys together "Shift+Delete". The Shift keys are indicated by a green frame. Just keep in mind that the file in this case will not be deleted through the trash can, and in this case it cannot be restored.

The “Delete” key, indicated by a blue frame, located on the numeric keypad block, along with the “.” performs the same actions when the “NumLock” key is turned off.

It is possible to open the “Task Manager” by pressing the key combination “Ctrl+Alt+Del”. These Ctrl and Alt keys are indicated by beige frames.

Key , indicated by a red rectangle, is associated with insert mode:

1. in the text, you switch between the modes of inserting and replacing characters or inserting a fragment from the clipboard (depending on the settings of Microsoft Word). If insert mode is enabled, then when you type, between two words the right word will move to the right, and the text you enter will move the words apart and print between them. In this mode, the text is inserted, as it were, and the entire end of the phrase is moved to the right.

But in the “replacement” mode, if you insert a word between two words, then the word on the right is replaced by the word that you inserted.;

1. in programs like Total Commander, objects are selected.

If you press the Inset key, the text will be printed on top of what you typed, erasing the last one. If you press this key again, this action will be terminated.

The “Insert” key, located in a blue frame, which is located on the numeric keypad block, together with the number “0”, works only when the “NumLock” key is turned off.

We can copy the text after selecting it if we use the “Ctrl+Insert” key combination. And when we use the “Shift+Insert” keys together, it becomes possible to insert text.

PgUp, PgDn, End, Home keys designed for cursor control.

Home key moves the cursor to the beginning of the line, and End key to the end of the line"), as well as either to the beginning of the list or the end of the list.

Keyboard shortcut + moves the cursor to the end of the entire document.

Keyboard shortcut + moves the cursor to the beginning of the entire document.

PgUp key moves the cursor to the beginning of the page, and PgDn key - to its end.

Functions of the “PageUp” and “PageDown” keys.

The use of these two keys is used when working with text editors, or when working with documents where the height of the information is much greater than the height of your screen and there is a need to scroll in height. These keys are indicated by a red rectangle.

And the “PageUp” and “PageDown” keys, which are indicated by a blue rectangle and are located on the numeric keypad block only when the “NumLock” key is turned off, together with the numbers “3” and “9” scroll the screen down or up. The state of the NumLock key is controlled by an indicator light (the indicator light is on when the key is on).

Key used to expand the capabilities of the keyboard. Often used in combination with other keys to activate some action in the program.

Keys just like Ctrl, it is used in combination with other keys.

Functions using the “Ctrl” and “Alt” keys.

When you use these keys, you extend the capabilities of other keys. By using these keys in different variations, you perform different actions.

Keys Ctrl+Alt+Del These keyboard shortcuts open the task manager.

Combination keys Ctrl+A selects all objects at once, such as folders, files, text, etc.

Combination keys Ctrl+X cuts the selected object to the clipboard, such as a test, files, folders, etc.

Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C copies an object to the clipboard, such as files, folders, etc.

Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V pastes a copied file or folder from the clipboard.

Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N allows you to create a new document in various programs.

Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z cancels the last action.

Using the keys Ctrl+S the current document is saved.

Using the keys Ctrl+P The document is printed.

Ctrl+Esc – open the Start menu. You can also do this by pressing the Windows key.

Using the keys Alt+Enter there is a transition to full screen mode and back, for example, if you press these keys in KMPlayer, WindowsMediaPlayer, MediaPlayerClassic, they will expand to full screen.

Alt keys and keys 0 to 9 located on the right side of the keyboard make it possible to enter arbitrary characters that are not on the keyboard. In order to enter arbitrary characters, you need to press the Alt key and, without releasing it, press the desired number located on the right side of the keyboard.

Keyboard shortcut Alt+F4 closes the active application.

Keys Alt+Tab Allows you to switch between open windows. A panel with all open applications appears in the center of the screen, and when selecting the active window, you need to hold down the Alt key and press the Tab key several times.

Combination Alt + Space (space) Opens the window system menu, which allows you to restore, move, maximize, minimize, and close the window without using the mouse.

Alt+Shift or Ctrl + Shift – switch keyboard layout.

Windows key usually found between the Ctrl and Alt keys. When you press it, the Start menu appears.

And by using the key in a variety of settings together with other keys, you speed up the launch of programs.

When pressing keys Win+E My Computer explorer will open.

When pressing keys Win+D All active windows will be minimized.

Keyboard shortcut Win+L allows you to switch between users or lock a workstation. The Win+F1 key combination opens the Help and Support Center.

When pressing keys Win+F a search window will open.

When pressing keys Win+ Ctrl+F The Search for Computers window will open.

With help Win+D you can minimize all windows and show the desktop, and the keys Win+M minimizes all windows except dialog windows.

Win+E opens the My Computer folder.

Win+F – opens a window to search for a file or folder.

When pressing keys Win+PauseBreak The System Properties dialog box will open.

Key<Контекст> calls the context menu of the object on which the mouse pointer is currently located.

When using the key, we call up the menu in the same way as when clicking on the right mouse button. This menu corresponds to the program that is enabled for your work. If you are on the “Desktop”, then by pressing this key you open the menu corresponding to the active element of the Desktop.

Cursor keys (navigation) . Perform various actions related to cursor movement:

1. in the text, move the cursor one position in the indicated direction;
2. on the Desktop and in the folder window, transfer the selection to another object;
3. in the menu, move the selection to the next command;
4. in tables, move the cursor between cells.

These keys are also used in many games to control objects.

These keys are also used in many programs, for example, to move through the pages of a document or when viewing photos to move to the next image.

Hotkeys in the browser

To zoom in or out on a page, just hold down Ctrl key and spin the mouse wheel. Up - the scale will increase, down - accordingly, it will decrease. The same can be done by simply pressing + or – while pressing Ctrl. To restore the font size, use a keyboard shortcut Ctr + 0 .

And the use Shift keys and the mouse wheel allows you to navigate through the history of tabs: Shift – scroll the wheel up – move forward through the history, Shift – scroll the wheel down – move backward through the history.

If you need to open a new page in a separate tab in your browser, you can hold down Ctrl key and click on the desired link. A new page will open in a separate tab.

Alt+Home keys returns to the home page, and Ctrl + R (or F5) refresh the page. To force a refresh without using cached data, use the keys Ctrl+F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R .

Pressing keys Ctrl+S , you can save the page on your computer and the keys Ctrl+P allow you to print the desired page. Hotkeys Ctrl + G, Ctrl + F, Shift + F3, Ctrl + K are intended for searching on the current page or on the Internet.

Features of a laptop keyboard.

Since a laptop keyboard, by definition, should take up little space, many functions are “hidden” on it. And in order to find them, there is a magic key . It is not found on all types of keyboards, although it is almost always present on laptops. It is usually located in the lower left corner of the keyboard, but there may be other options, there are no standards here. Inscription on the key highlighted in color (usually blue) or surrounded by a frame. On those keys that work together with , inscriptions or symbols are applied that have the same color as the inscription on the key , or they are also surrounded by a frame.

Lettering or symbols that have the same color as , activated when combined + (key), i.e. when pressing and holding a key We press the key where the function we need is depicted in a stylized form. Combining this key with the function keys (the keys on the top row of the keyboard) changes the basic actions of those keys. So, combining it with the F1 key puts the computer (laptop) into sleep mode;

• with F2 – turns on and off the wireless adapter (Wi-Fi);
• with F3 – opens the mail program;
• with F5 – reduces the monitor brightness;
• with F6 – increases it;
• with F7 – turns the monitor on and off;
• with F10 – turns on and off the built-in speakers;
• with F11 – lowers the speaker volume;
• with F12 – increases it;
• The screen brightness is increased by pressing the key where there is a “big sun” (there may be a “sun” icon in combination with the “increase” icon);
• decreasing - on the contrary, the one with the “small sun” (or maybe there is a “sun” icon in combination with the “reduce” icon);
• keys with “loudspeaker” icons in combination with “more” or “less” icons - increase/decrease volume;
• crossed out mouse – disable/enable the TouchPad panel;
• crossed out loudspeaker – mute/unmute sound, etc.

The actions when combining function keys with the Fn key may vary for different types of keyboards, so you can clarify them in the user manual of the device, or be guided by the icons (usually of a different color) located on the keys next to or below its main value.

Look carefully, slowly, at the keyboard of your laptop, put the instructions that came with it next to it, spend some time mastering all these wonders and they will become familiar to you.

The keyboard is one of the earliest and most important hardware components of a computer. The range of models and design solutions is quite wide. There are completely original products. Here is a very interesting concept on which the computer keyboard is made (photo below).

However, despite the large number of design solutions on the keyboard market, the functions and purpose of the keys on almost all modifications of products of this type are organized according to the same principle. Which one exactly?

Keyboard structure

Modern computer keyboards contain 101 or 102 buttons, which are divided into several groups. These are function keys, alphabetic, numeric, service, control, and so-called modifiers. Let's consider the purpose of each type.

Function keys

There are 12 buttons of this type in total. They have been included in the Purpose of Keys for a very long time; their description is found in many textbooks on information technology, published even before the invention of the PC in its current form. Function keys are located in one row (usually) at the very top of the keyboard. Let's study their features.

The purpose of function keys is largely determined by tradition among computer and software manufacturers, rather than by any rigid standards. There are some kind of generally accepted principles for associating the buttons of a given group with certain actions. But it cannot be ruled out that individual software manufacturers will prefer to assign the function keys whatever purpose they want. Let's take a scenario in which we have to press these buttons while working in Windows, say, version 7.

In this case, the F1 key will be responsible for calling the OS help system. Most programs running on Windows also require you to activate help by pressing F1.

The F2 key is usually responsible for folders in Windows. A similar function is assigned to it when working in some file managers.

The F3 button in Windows calls up the OS search engine, a separate folder, or a similar interface in most programs. For example, if the text is open in the editor, then by pressing F3, you can search for the desired word or phrase.

The F4 key is usually associated in Windows with two functions: going to the address bar in the integrated OS file manager, as well as displaying history.

The F5 button allows you to refresh the display of objects in a folder, on the desktop, or, for example, a page in a browser window.

The F6 key has some similarities in purpose with F4. It allows you to move the text cursor to the address bar of the built-in Windows file manager, but does not display the history.

The purpose of the computer keyboard keys in the F7-F9 row, as well as the F12 button in Windows, is not strictly defined. It all depends on the specific application in which the user is working. In this case, a specialized program can be used to assign keys.

The F10 button is responsible for calling the leftmost menu item in the program interface. For example, if a Word window is open, the user presses F10 to open the "File" menu.

The F11 key allows you to quickly switch the window to (or vice versa).

Control keys

These usually include the arrow keys - right, left, up and down. They are designed to perform operations to move objects on the screen, to control characters in computer games, etc. They can also be used to position the cursor in text.

Letter keys

They occupy the central space of the keyboard. In numerical terms, there are the most such buttons; the typical standard is 47 pieces. An English computer keyboard usually includes pure letter keys. That is, apart from them, nothing is usually depicted on the keys. Russian usually allows the simultaneous use of some letter buttons as “carriers” of punctuation marks. If you press them without combining them with others (for example, modifiers), then the main letters will be entered. With the appropriate combination - punctuation marks.

Also, in some cases, letter keys allow you to control an object on the screen, if this is provided by a program or computer game (the second option is more common). In this sense, letter keys can sometimes be "control" keys.

Number keys

They, depending on the configuration of a particular keyboard model, can be located on top of the letter block, and in some cases they can be supplemented with buttons on the right side of the device (as a rule, they often do not fit on “large” keyboards for PCs and laptops).

In the second case, this key block is especially convenient to use for calculations. There are also various auxiliary buttons for operations of multiplication, division, subtraction, addition, and there is an Enter key.

Modifiers

The purpose of the keyboard keys classified as “modifiers” is to change the essence of the entered commands using function, alphabetic or numeric buttons by pressing them simultaneously. These are CTRL, ALT, and also SHIFT. Some experts also classify the INSERT, SCROLL LOCK and NUM LOCK buttons as modifiers. Other experts distinguish these four keys into a separate group - the so-called “mode” buttons.

Let's look at the most common actions that you can use these keys to perform. The computer keyboard is designed so that the user can enter data not only using single button presses, but also in combination. The functions of many “modifiers” are performed precisely thanks to this feature.

Users often combine keyboard buttons with the ALT key. For example, if you press ALT and TAB, you can switch windows of different programs - from one to another. Using the combination of ALT and F4, the user will close the active application.

Combinations of keyboard buttons with CTRL are no less popular. For example, the combination of this key and “C” allows you to quickly copy an object or data area - a file, folder, text, picture, etc. You can quickly paste a “copy” by pressing CTRL + V. If you substitute “X” instead of “C”, then the selected data will be “cut out” from its original location, and after pressing CTRL+V it will be moved to a new one.

One of the most frequently pressed modifier buttons is SHIFT. It is in combination with it that most users type capital letters in the text.

Hotkeys

Some experts call this because the latter give the user the opportunity to very quickly perform any action that would take longer if using, say, a mouse. We have already given some examples reflecting the purpose of hot keys: for example, copying text using a combination of CTRL, C, X and V is usually faster than calling the context menu using the mouse.

Combinations of “modifiers” are often used. For example, if the user has the “Russian” computer keyboard enabled, the layout can be changed to “English” by pressing the ALT and SHIFT combination. And vice versa.

Service keys

There are quite a lot of them on keyboards. Experts usually include the buttons ESC, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, PRTSC, PAUSE, DEL, BACKSPACE, HOME, END, WIN, ENTER, TAB, as well as SPACE, or, in Russian, spacebar. There is an opinion that, in the broad sense of the word, “service” keys also include control keys and “modifiers”, and therefore it would be more appropriate to classify the buttons differently. But at the same time, there are no uniform standards in this matter.

Most Popular

Perhaps the most frequently used service key is SPACE. It puts a space when typing. In combination with INSERT (when its associated mode is activated), this key erases typed letters.

Probably the second most popular service key is ENTER. It has a lot of functions. It is difficult to single out the main one, we can say that there is a group of key ones: this is opening a file, folder, launching a program (or some action in an already running one), as well as translating text to a new line. Keyboards that have a separate number button area (on the right side) usually have an additional ENTER key.

The ESC button is often used. Usually responsible for canceling an action. For example, if an image viewer is open, you can close it by pressing ESC. Unless, of course, the corresponding button association is built into the application: in many cases, programs do not respond to pressing ESC.

The purpose of the PRTSC key is interesting. Using it, you can take so-called “screenshots” - graphic snapshots of the contents of the screen at a specific moment in time. To save an image into a separate file, you need to launch some kind of image processing program, for example, Paint or Photoshop, then “paste” it into the editable area (optionally, using a combination of CTRL and V), and then save it into a file of a convenient format .

Rare but necessary

Let's now study the rarely used, but very necessary in some cases, service buttons. These include SCROLL LOCK and PAUSE. The first key is designed to change the mode of use of the control arrows. So, for example, so that when you press the “right” or “left” buttons, the active window moves to the corresponding side. The PAUSE key can be useful if you are running a program or process on your PC that has a pause function. For example, before Windows loads, various types of system information are displayed on the PC screen. If the user is interested in reading it, but does not have time to do this due to the computer quickly switching to booting Windows, then he can “slow down” the process by pressing the PAUSE key. If, of course, the software interface allows this to be done - its algorithms are laid down by the manufacturer of the computer or motherboard. To continue the execution of the program, it is usually enough to press any button on the keyboard.

New and useful

Over time, with technological progress, the computer keyboard is constantly being improved and modernized. The purpose of the keys and their description may change. But this is not the only aspect of technological evolution. New keys may also be added and subsequently become, de facto, part of generally accepted standards.

Among the newest buttons are WIN, as well as “menu”. They are indicated on keyboards, as a rule, by pictures. WIN - in the form of a proprietary Microsoft flag, the second key - in the form of, in fact, a context menu with items, sometimes with a mouse arrow.

The WIN key contains almost any modern computer keyboard adapted for Windows. Photo is below.

Actually, the appearance of both buttons in question is believed to have been due to the entry of the Windows operating system into the world market.

WIN key

The WIN key, in principle, can be classified as a “hot” key, since in many cases the actions associated with it are carried out, firstly, in combination with other buttons, and secondly, they duplicate (with relatively faster execution) operations performed using the mouse. Note that if you press WIN separately, it usually opens the Start menu.

Let's look at useful hot combinations using the WIN key.

The WIN+D combination allows you to minimize all open application windows (or, conversely, maximize them).

WIN and R is useful from the point of view of calling the quick program launch window (in which you can enter the name of the main file, after which the application will launch).

The combination of WIN and PAUSE (this, by the way, is another useful property of the second key) opens the My Computer properties menu.

What's useful about the Menu key? It is, in principle, associated with the same action that the user performs by pressing the right mouse button while hovering the cursor over a file or folder. That is, it opens consisting of various options. Many users find it more convenient to use this function using the keyboard rather than the mouse.

Nuances of standardization

As we noted above, this is rather a set of rules dictated by traditions rather than international standards. However, computer and software manufacturers, one way or another, try not to experiment too much with associating buttons with new functions that are unsuitable for other market solutions.

Many users may not like the unusual computer keyboard, the assignment of the keys, or the description of its functions. Many PC owners prefer the familiar hot buttons, function buttons, or utility buttons to work exactly as they do in most applications. And therefore, the above-described patterns regarding the purpose of various types of keys, in general, are valid for almost all models of keyboards. In turn, software manufacturers try to associate application functions in algorithms that are more or less familiar to the market.

Windows standards on other systems

Moreover, even in operating systems other than Windows (for example, Linux), the range of key assignments is generally very similar to what is described above. In many competing operating systems, the computer keyboard, originally oriented towards Windows - the assignment of the keys, its description - reflects the same capabilities that are present in the OS from Microsoft. This even sometimes applies to the WIN key. Despite the fact that it is typical for Windows, its functions in other operating systems are in some cases very similar to the original range of purposes. Not to mention the “modifiers” that a computer keyboard contains. The layout between languages ​​using the ALT and SHIFT combination changes not only in Windows.

Good day.

Have you ever wondered why different users spend different amounts of time on the same operations in Windows? And the point here is not the speed of using the mouse - it’s just that some people use the so-called Hotkeys(replacing several mouse actions), others, on the contrary, do everything with the mouse (edit/copy, edit/paste, etc.).

Many users do not attach importance to keyboard shortcuts (note: several keys pressed simultaneously on the keyboard) , meanwhile, with their use, the speed of work can be increased significantly! In general, there are hundreds of different keyboard shortcuts in Windows, there is no point in memorizing and considering them all, but I will give the most convenient and necessary ones in this article. I recommend it for use!

Note: In the various key combinations below you will see a “+” sign - you do not need to press it. The plus in this case indicates that the keys must be pressed simultaneously! The most useful hotkeys are marked in green.

Keyboard shortcuts with ALT:

• Alt+Tab or Alt + Shift + Tab- window switching, i.e. make the next window active;
• ALT+D- selecting text in the browser address bar (usually, then use the combination Ctrl+C - copy the selected text);
• Alt+Enter- look at “Object properties”;
• Alt+F4- close the window you are currently working with;
• Alt + Space(Space is the space key) - calls the window system menu;
• Alt + PrtScr- take a screenshot of the active window.

Keyboard shortcuts with Shift:

• Shift + LMB(LMB = left mouse button) - selecting several files or a piece of text (just hold down Shift, place the cursor in the right place and move the mouse - files or part of the text will be selected. Very convenient!);
• Shift + Ctrl + Home- select to the beginning of the text (from the cursor);
• Shift + Ctrl + End- select to the end of the text (from the cursor);
• Pressed Shift button- CD-ROM autorun blocking, the button must be held while the drive reads the inserted disc;
• Shift+Delete- deleting a file bypassing the trash (be careful with this :));
• Shift + ←- text selection;
• Shift + ↓- text selection (to select text, files - the Shift button can be combined with any arrows on the keyboard).

Keyboard shortcuts with Ctrl:

• Ctrl + LMB(LMB = left mouse button) - selecting individual files, individual pieces of text;
• Ctrl+A- select the entire document, all files, in general, everything that is on the screen;
• Ctrl+C- copy selected text or files (similar to the edit/copy explorer);
• Ctrl+V- paste copied files, text (similar to edit/paste in Explorer);
• Ctrl+X- cut a selected piece of text or selected files;
• Ctrl+S- save the document;
• Ctrl + Alt + Delete (or Ctrl + Shift + Esc) - opening the “Task Manager” (for example, if you want to close an “unclosed” application or see which application is loading the processor);
• Ctrl+Z- cancel the operation (if you, for example, accidentally deleted a piece of text, just press this combination. In applications whose menu does not indicate this option, mail always supports it);
• Ctrl+Y- cancel the operation Ctrl + Z;
• Ctrl+Esc- opening/closing the Start menu;
• Ctrl+W- close the browser tab;
• Ctrl+T- open a new tab in the browser;
• Ctrl + N- open a new window in the browser (if it is running in some other program, a new document will be created);
• Ctrl+Tab- moving through browser/program tabs;
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab- reverse operation from Ctrl + Tab;
• Ctrl+R- refreshing a page in the browser or program window;
• Ctrl + Backspace- deleting a word in the text (deletes from the left);
• Ctrl + Delete- deleting a word (deletes from the right);
• Ctrl + Home- moving the cursor to the beginning of the text/window;
• Ctrl+End- moving the cursor to the end of the text/window;
• Ctrl+F- search in the browser;
• Ctrl+D- add a page to favorites (in the browser);
• Ctrl + I- show the favorites bar in the browser;
• Ctrl+H- log of visits in the browser;
• Ctrl + mouse wheel up/down - increasing or decreasing the size of elements on the browser page/window.

Keyboard shortcuts with Win:

• Win+D- minimize all windows, the desktop will be shown;
• Win+E- opening “My Computer” (Explorer);
• Win+R- opening the “Run…” window, very useful for launching some programs (more details about the list of commands here:)
• Win+F- opening a search window;
• Win+F1- opening a help window in Windows;
• Win+L- blocking the computer (convenient when you need to move away from the computer, but strangers may come nearby and see your files and work);
• Win+U- opening the accessibility center (for example, magnifier, keyboard);
• Win+Tab- switch between applications in the taskbar.

A few other useful buttons:

• PrtScr- take a screenshot of the entire screen (everything you see on the screen will be placed in the buffer. To get a screenshot, open Paint and paste the image there: Ctrl+V buttons);
• F1- help, user manual (works in most programs);
• F2- renaming the selected file;
• F5- updating a window (for example, a tab in a browser);
• F11- full screen mode;
• Del- delete the selected object to the trash;
• Win- open the START menu;
• Tab- activates another element, moving to another tab;
• Esc- closing dialog boxes, exiting the program.

PS

Actually, that's all for me. I recommend that you remember the most useful keys, marked in green, and use them everywhere, in any program. Thanks to this, you won’t even notice how you will work faster and more efficiently!

By the way, the listed combinations work in all popular Windows: 7, 8, 10 (most of them also in XP). Thanks in advance for the additions to the article. Good luck to all!