Sometimes,
only the hotkeys are able to trigger some common Windows
functions when the application doesn’t provide them explicitly.
For example, the CTRL + Z or CTRL + Y are really worth to
remember keyboard shortcuts if you want to undo or redo changes
made while composing a web-based email, writing a blog post in
Wordpress or Blogger, etc.
Now, let’s see what could the CTRL related hotkeys do in Windows
OS (including the latest Windows Vista Ultimate)!
CTRL + F4 to close the active window in a MDI form or tab in IE7 or Firefox.
CTRL + PRINT SCREEN to capture screenshot of Windows context menu with Snipping Tool - execute Snipping Tool, click Cancel snip button to put it in standby mode, bring up context menu and press CTRL + PRINT SCREEN hotkey.
CTRL TAB or SHIFT + CTRL + TAB to toggle between tabbed browser windows (applicable to IE7 or Firefox).
CTRL + Q to show tabbed browser windows in thumbnail format - it’s more efficient if there are little tabbed windows in IE7 web browser!
CTRL + I to access web browser Bookmark / Favorite
CTRL + B to organize web browser Bookmark / Favorite
CTRL + H to access to web browser History
CTRL + D to add the webpage to Favorite / Bookmark
CTRL + F5 to unconditionally reload whole webpage from Internet (not from browser cache folder, i.e. without using the cached content in Temporarily Internet Files folder).
CTRL + W is an alternative to CTRL + F4
hotkey, i.e. to close the active application.
CTRL + Z to undo changes (regardless
application provides Undo function)!
CTRL + Y to redo changes (regardless application provides Redo function)!
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to bring up Windows Task Manager
CTRL + SHUTDOWN to shorten Windows XP shutdown time - run the Windows Task Manager, simultaneously pressing the CTRL key and click the Shutdown menu!
CTRL + ESC to display the Windows Start menu - similar to the Windows key!
CTRL + SPACE to toggle input languages - similar to Left ALT + SHIFT keyboard shortcut.
CTRL then SHIFT to toggle between Microsoft IME input and Non-IME input method.
CTRL with mouse click to selectively highlight or deselect multiple files in a folder.
CTRL while Windows boots up is similar to press F8 hotkey when Windows boots up - to bring up the Windows Boot up menu or Startup menu.
CTRL + C to copy the highlighted items
CTRL + V to paste the highlighted items
CTRL + X to cut the highlighted items
CTRL + A to select all items
CTRL + N to open a new application window (only applicable if the application supports multiple windows, e.g. Microsoft Office, IE7, Firefox, etc).
CTRL + F to bring up the application Search dialogue box (if it’s available).
CTRL + P to print document directly to the default Windows printer.
CTRL + E to activate web browser “Search Internet” text box (available in IE7, Firefox, or web browser with Google Toolbar installed).