Windows System Parameters for the Keyboard UI.

The Windows operating system supports many system parameters that share the system-wide option settings between applications and the system itself. Applications can access the system-wide settings by calling the SystemParametersInfo function with the specific SPI values.

Applications that use the settings must watch for the WM_SETTINGSCHANGE message to respond or adjust configurations adequately.

There are many keyboard UI-related system parameters available in the operating system. Many of the system parameter values have read and write procedures through the API, although an application usually only reads those settings because most of the system parameters are controlled through Control Panel. System parameters and their corresponding API names and descriptions are shown in the following table.

Keyboard UI–Related System Parameters

System parameters	SPI values	Description
Keyboard Preference	SPI_GETKEYBOARDPREF	Get settings for a user's keyboard interface preference.
Access Key Underlines	SPI_GETKEYBOARDCUES	Get settings for underline of access keys.
	SPI_GETMENUUNDERLINES	Get settings for underline of access keys.
Focus Rectangle Border	SPI_GETFOCUSBORDERHEIGHT	Get settings for focus border height.
	SPI_GETFOCUSBORDERWIDTH	Get settings for focus border width.
Cursor Width	SPI_GETCARETWIDTH	Get settings for system cursor width.
Windows Accessibility Options and Keyboard Repeat Rates	SPI_GETFILTERKEYS	Get settings for FilterKeys options.
	SPI_GETMOUSEKEYS	Get settings for MouseKeys options.
	SPI_GETSTICKYKEYS	Get settings for StickyKeys options.
	SPI_GETTOGGLEKEYS	Get settings for ToggleKeys options.
	SPI_GETKEYBOARDDELAY	Get settings for delay time of key inputs.
	SPI_GETKEYBOARDSPEED	Get settings for repeat rate of key inputs.
Tooltips	SPI_GETMOUSEHOVERTIME	Get settings for delay time to display tooltips.

Note  SPI_GETSERIALKEYS is not listed here because it is only supported in earlier Windows platforms. The input from serial key devices must be received by applications in the same manner as those from standard keyboard or mouse input devices.

About the Keyboard Preference Flag

An application that normally hides some keyboard UI elements or omits some keyboard mechanisms altogether must present them when the keyboard preference flag (SPI_GETKEYBOARDPREF) is set. The flag, which is set by the user in Control Panel, advises an application that the user relies on the keyboard rather than a mouse, so additional support must be provided when appropriate.

Additional Resources

For more information about UI design and development, see User Interface and Microsoft Windows User Experience (Microsoft Press; ISBN: 0-7356-0566-1).

For more information about assistive technology products, see Assistive Technology Products.

Windows Shortcut Keys

As noted in the Designing the Keyboard UI section, it is important for applications to be consistent with other applications when using shortcut keys. This section introduces a series of shortcut keys that are used in Windows. To be consistent with other Windows-based applications, it is recommended that you map shortcut keys in a similar way.

For more information, see General Shortcut Keys for Applications.

Note  This section is an overview of commonly used shortcut keys. If you are connected to Windows through Microsoft Terminal Services Client, some shortcuts may have changed depending on your configuration. Some keyboard shortcuts may require Microsoft Natural Keyboard or another compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key.

System-Wide Shortcut Keys

Press	To
	Display or hide the Start menu.
CTRL+ESC	Display or hide the Start menu (same as ).
CTRL+ALT+DELETE	Display Windows Security screen or Windows Task Manager.
+B	Set focus on a notification.
+D	Show the desktop.
+E	Open My Computer by Windows Explorer.
+F	Search for a file or folder.
CTRL++F	Search for computers.
+G	Toggle through Sidebar gadgets (new with Windows Vista).
+P	Toggle through the projection mode (new with Windows 7).
+L	Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain.
+M	Minimize all windows.
+SHIFT+M	Restore minimized windows.
+R	Open the Run dialog box.
+T	Set focus to the taskbar.
+DOWN ARROW	Un-maximize/minimize window (new with Windows 7).
+UP ARROW	Maximize window.
+RIGHT|LEFT ARROW	Dock/undock window to the right or left of the desktop.
+SHIFT+RIGHT|LEFT ARROW	Move window among the desktops (available with Windows 7 installed with more than one monitor).
+SPACE	Peek at gadgets. Hold down the  key to hold the state (new with Windows 7).
+number	Launch or toggle between applications on the taskbar (new with Windows 7).
+F1	Display Windows Help.
+BREAK	Display the System Properties dialog box.
+TAB	Switch between open windows (new with Windows Vista).
ALT+TAB(s)	Switch between open windows. While holding the ALT key down, you can press TAB several times to navigate through the system display of each previously used window.
ALT+SHIFT+TAB(s)	Similar to ALT+TAB(s), switch backward between open windows. You can switch between moving backward or forward by holding or releasing SHIFT key.
ALT+ESC(s)	Cycle the input focus through the windows in the order that they were opened; compare to ALT+TAB.
ALT+SHIFT+ESC(s)	Similar to ALT+ESC(s), cycle focus backward through windows. You can switch between moving backward or forward by holding or releasing the SHIFT key.
PRINTSCREEN	Copy an image of the screen.
ALT+PRINTSCREEN	Copy an image of the current window.
Left ALT+SHIFT	Switch input languages or keyboard layouts (available and configurable when the user installed multiple keyboard layouts through Regional and Language Options in Control Panel).
CTRL+SHIFT	Switch keyboard layouts or input languages (available and configurable when the user installed multiple keyboard layouts through Regional and Language Options in Control Panel).
CTRL or left ALT+SHIFT + ~, number (0~9), or grave accent key	Hot key for input languages (available and configurable when the user installed multiple keyboard layouts through Regional and Language Options in Control Panel).

System-Wide Accessibility Options and Tools Shortcut Keys

Note  This section does not list all keyboard shortcuts offered by accessibility tools. For more information about keyboard shortcuts offered by a particular accessibility tool, please see the online Help for that tool.

Press	To
Holding right SHIFT for eight seconds	Switch FilterKeys on and off.
Left ALT + left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN	Switch High Contrast on and off.
Left ALT + left SHIFT+NUM LOCK	Switch MouseKeys on and off.
SHIFT five times	Switch StickyKeys on and off.
Holding NUM LOCK for five seconds	Switch ToggleKeys on and off.
+U	Open Utility Manager or Ease of Access Center.
+"+"	Launch Magnifier or increase the magnification (new with Windows 7).

General Shortcut Keys for Applications

Press	To
F1	Display Application Help.
SHIFT+F1	Display tips help (context-sensitive help) near the selected control.
	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
SHIFT+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item (same as ).
CTRL+C	Copy selected items.
CTRL+X	Cut selected items.
CTRL+V	Paste, cut or copied items.
CTRL+Z	Undo the last action.
CTRL+Y	Redo the last action.
ESC	Cancel the current task.
DELETE	Delete selected items.

Navigation and Window Controls Shortcut Keys

Press	To
CTRL+F4	Close the active document in applications that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
ALT+F4	Close the active item, or quit the active application.
CTRL+TAB	Moves to next pane or palette.
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB	Moves to previous pane or palette.
F6	Moves to next pane or palette (same as CTRL+TAB).
SHIFT+F6	Moves to previous pane or palette (same as CTRL+SHIFT+TAB).
CTRL+F6	Moves to next window in a group of related windows (or between MDI document windows).
CTRL+SHIFT+F6	Moves to previous window in a group of related windows (or between MDI document windows).

Menu Controls Shortcut Keys

Press	To
ALT+SPACE	Display shortcut menu for the active window.
ALT+"-" (Hyphen)	Display shortcut menu for the active child window (MDI application).
ALT	Activate the menu bar and enter menu mode.
F10	Activate the menu bar and enter menu mode (same as ALT).
ALT+(access keys on menu or dialog box selected)	Activate the menu bar and open corresponding menu to the access key.
Access key	[Menu mode] Carry out the corresponding command.
DOWN ARROW	[Menu mode] Open menu item, move to the one item below, or move to top of menu if focus is located in the bottom of the menu.
UP ARROW	[Menu mode] Move to the one menu item above, or move to the bottom if focus is located in the top of the menu.
RIGHT ARROW	[Menu mode] Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
LEFT ARROW	[Menu mode] Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.

Edit Box Shortcut Keys

Press	To
HOME	Move cursor to beginning of the line.
END	Move cursor to end of the line.
CTRL+A	Select all.
CTRL + RIGHT or LEFT ARROW	Move cursor to the beginning of the next or previous word.
CTRL + DOWN or UP ARROW	Move cursor to the beginning of the next or previous paragraph.
CTRL+HOME	Move cursor to the top of the document.
CTRL+END	Move cursor to the end of the document.
Holding SHIFT + cursor movement (arrow, HOME, or END keys)	Select or extend the selection.
Holding SHIFT + CTRL + Cursor movement	Select or extend the selection by words or block of text.
INSERT	Toggle the insertion mode.

Dialog Box and Common Controls Shortcut Keys

Note  Arrow keys, PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN, HOME, and END keys for general navigation are omitted from the next table.

Control type	Press	To
General	TAB	Move forward through options.
	SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through options.
Dialog box	ALT+access key	Select or carry out the corresponding command or control.
	ENTER	Carry out the default command of the dialog box or command of the selected control.
	SPACE	Toggle the selection status or carry out the selected option or control command.
	Arrow keys	Move focus or selection in a group of controls or items.
Tab control	CTRL + TAB	Move forward through tabs.
	CTRL + SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through tabs.
	CTRL + PAGE DOWN	Move forward through tabs (same as CTRL+TAB).
	CTRL + PAGE UP	Move backward through tabs (same as CTRL+SHIFT+TAB).
	Arrow keys	Move between tabs when focusing on the control.
Combo box	F4	Display or hide the items in the active list.
	ALT + DOWN or UP	Display or hide the items in the active list (same as F4).
	Any printable key or keys	Moves the selection to the item matching prefix letters in the beginning of title. For more information, seeNavigating by Matching Characters.
List view	SPACE	Locates new selection and anchor for the item.
	SHIFT+SPACE	Extends the selection from anchor to the item.
	CTRL+SPACE	Invoke additional selection or deselection and move the anchor to the selected item.
	Arrow keys	Move focus and remove all selection and the anchor previously made.
	CTRL+arrow keys	Move focus without move of selection or the anchor.
	Any printable key or keys	Moves the selection to the item matching prefix letters in the beginning of the label. For more information, seeNavigating by Matching Characters.
	CTRL + "+" (numeric pad)	Adjusts the width of all columns to fit their contents.
Header (where keyboard focus is supported)	RIGHT/LEFT	Move selection of the header right and left.
	CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT/LEFT	Adjust the width of the selected header.
	CTRL+ALT+RIGHT/LEFT	Move the selected header right and left.
	SPACE	[Windows Explorer] Toggle the sort condition of the selected header.
	DOWN ARROW	[Windows Explorer] Open more options for the selected header.
Tree view	* (Numpad)	Display all sub-items under the selected item.
	+ (Numpad)	Display sub-items directly under the selected item.
	- (Numpad)	Collapse the items directly under the selected item group.
	RIGHT ARROW	Display sub-items directly under the selected item (same as +).
	LEFT ARROW	Collapse the selected item group and move focus to the group leaf root.
	CTRL+UP ARROW	Scroll the view without change of the selection.
	CTRL+DOWN ARROW	Scroll the view without change of the selection.
	Any printable key or keys	Moves the selection to the item matching prefix letters in the beginning of title. For more information, seeNavigating by Matching Characters.
Date and time picker	F4	Display calendar below the control.
	ALT+DOWN	Display calendar below the control.
	ALT+UP	Hide calendar below the control.
	PAGE UP	Move to next month in the calendar.
	PAGE DOWN	Move to previous month in the calendar.
	CTRL+PAGE UP	Move to next year in the calendar.
	CTRL+PAGE DOWN	Move to previous year in the calendar.
Check box	SPACE	Toggles the selected option.
	-	Clear the option.
	+	Select the option.
Slider	Arrow keys	Move the slider to the next value. The direction can be reversed by selecting the slider control style LBS_DOWNISLEFT.
	PAGE UP and DOWN	Move the slider to next value in specified incremental amount. The direction can be reversed by selecting the slider control style LBS_DOWNISLEFT.

Windows Explorer Shortcut Keys

Note  The shortcut keys in the next table are presented only as examples and do not represent all of the available shortcut keys.

Press	To
F2	Rename selected item.
F3	Search for a file or folder.
F4	Display the Address bar list.
F5	Refresh the active window or reload document in the active window.
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
ALT+RIGHT ARROW	Move to next page or folder viewed.
ALT+LEFT ARROW	Move to previous or folder viewed.
ALT+ENTER	View properties for the selected item.
SHIFT+DELETE	Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
HOME	Display the top of the active window.
END	Display the bottom of the active window.
BACKSPACE	View the folder one level up.

Microsoft Office XP Shortcut Keys

Note  The shortcut keys in the next table are presented only as examples and do not represent all of the available shortcut keys. A complete list of shortcut keys is provided in the online documentation of each Microsoft Office application.

Press	To
INSERT	Toggle the insertion mode.
F6	Move between task pane and the document window.
SHIFT+F6	Move backward between task pane and the document window.
CTRL+F6	Switch to next window, when more than one window is open.
CTRL+SHIFT+F6	Switch backward to next window, when more than one window is open.
CTRL+TAB	Move focus between menu and tool bars in menu mode.
F1	Displays the Assistant balloon (if Office Assistant is turned on).
ALT+SHIFT+F10	Displays the menu or message for a Smart Tag near the input focus.
CTRL + O	Opens the Open dialog box.
CTRL + N	Opens a new blank document.
CTRL + F	Opens the Find dialog box.
CTRL + P	Opens the Print dialog box.
CTRL + S	Saves the document that currently has the input focus.
CTRL + A	Select all.