.: Windows XP Microsoft = Keyword Shortcuts, Tips and Tricks

Microsoft Windows XP - Advanced Tips and Tricks
How to Start Windows XP (and other windows) in Safe Mode
Many times in order to remove a piece of spyware or for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes, you'll have to start Windows in Safe Mode. While in Safe Mode, only specific programs and files needed to run the operating system are loaded. Some functions, such as connecting to the Internet, will not be active in Safe Mode and a standard video driver will be loaded causing a washed out look and a possible change in resolution.
However, because just the essential programs and files are loaded in Safe Mode, this allows us to remove some spyware, adware, viruses and such that cannot be removed in Normal Mode. Follow the instructions below to Start Safe Mode for your specific version of Windows.

If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.
Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would. To use the System Configuration Utility method
Close all open programs.
Click Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
The System Configuration Utility appears, On the BOOT.INI tab, Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK and Restart your computer when prompted.
The computer restarts in Safe mode.
Perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open MSCONFIG again, on the BOOT.INI tab, uncheck "/SAFEBOOT" and click OK to restart your computer

Note: The [Start] or Windows key is located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on most new keyboards. But some old vendor keyboards and some laptops do not have this key.

Key Function

[Start] Opens the Start menu

[Start] + E Opens My Computer in Windows Explorer

[Start] + Pause/Break Opens the System Properties dialog box

[Start] + U Opens the Utility Manager

[Start] + R Opens the Run prompt

[Start] + F Opens the Search for Files and Folder window

[Start] + Ctrl + F Opens the search for computers on the network

[Start] + M Minimize all windows

[Start] + Shift + + M Maximize all windows (after minimizing them)

[Start] + D Minimize all windows to the desktop, and then restore all Windows

[Start] + L Lock Computer

[Start] + Tab Cycle through the open programs on the Taskbar

[Start] + B Selects the first item in the System Tray; use the arrow keys to cycle through the items and use the Enter key to open a selected item in the SysTray

Alt + Tab Switch between open programs

Alt + F4 (in a program) Closes the program

Alt + F4 (from desktop) Opens the Windows Shutdown/Restart dialog box

Alt + Enter Opens the Properties page of a selected item

Alt + Esc Cycle between open programs in the order that they were opened

Alt + Spacebar In the active window, this brings up the corner dialog box for Move, Size, Minimize, Maximize, or Close

Shift + Insert CD/DVD Inserts a CD/DVD without triggering Autoplay or Autorun

Shift + Delete Permanently deletes an item (rather than sending it to the Recycle Bin)

Ctrl + Shift + Esc Opens the Windows Task Manager

Ctrl + drag an icon Copies that item

Ctrl + Shift + drag an icon Creates a shortcut for the item

Windows XP - Tips and Tricks

Right-click + drag a file Brings up a menu to copy, move, or create a shortcut

PrtScn Takes a screen shot of the entire screen; go into a photo program (the Windows program "Paint" will also work) and hit Paste to edit and save the screen shot

Alt + PrtScn Takes a screen shot of only the active Window; hit Paste in a photo program to edit and save the screen shot

F1 Opens the Windows XP Help

F2 Rename selected item

F3 Opens Windows search for files and folders

F5 (or Ctrl + R) Refresh Internet Explorer page, or refresh any other window

F6 Cycle through the different types of elements that can be selection on a screen or window

F10 Selects the menu bar in the active program (usually "File") so that you can use the arrow keys to navigate through the menus and the Enter key to select

Shift + F10 For a selected item, this does the same thing as a right-click with the mouse

Tab Move through the different elements on a page or the fields in a form

Shift + Tab Move backward through the different elements on a page or the fields in a form

Ctrl + A Select All

Ctrl + C Copy

Ctrl + X Cut

Ctrl + V Paste

Ctrl + Z Undo

Ctrl + Y Redo

Ctrl + P Print

Ctrl + O Open

Ctrl + Esc Opens the Start menu

Ctrl + Backspace Deletes the entire word to the left

Ctrl + Delete Deletes the entire word to the right

Ctrl + Right arrow Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next word

Ctrl + Left arrow Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous word

Ctrl + Down arrow Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph

Ctrl + Up arrow Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keys Highlight a block of text

Click Shift 5 times Turns StickyKeys on or off

Hold down the right Shift key for 8 seconds Turns FilterKeys on or off
Hold down Num Lock for 5 seconds Turns ToggleKeys on or off

Make your own custom keystroke for a program Right-click on the icon of a program or shortcut > select Properties > choose the Shortcut tab and type your keystroke in "Shortcut key" field (you only can select combos that aren't already taken)