Using Windows Accessibility Features

Microsoft Windows accessibility features can help improve the lives of people with disabilities by making computers easier to use and therefore a positive force in employment, education, and recreation.


Using features for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing

To turn on ShowSounds

ShowSounds instructs programs that convey information by sound to also provide information visually (for example, through text captions or informative icons).

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Sound tab, under ShowSounds, select the Use ShowSounds check box.
  3. To turn off ShowSounds, clear the Use ShowSounds check box.

To turn on SoundSentry

SoundSentry is for people who have difficulty hearing system sounds generated by the computer. It lets you change settings to generate visual warnings, such as a blinking title bar or a flashing border, whenever the computer generates a sound.

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options. and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Sound tab, under SoundSentry, select the Use SoundSentry check box.
  3. To turn off SoundSentry, clear the Use SoundSentry check box.

To create a sound scheme

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Sounds and Audio Devices.
  2. On the Sounds tab, in the Program events list, assign a sound for each event you want to save in a new sound scheme.
  3. Under Sound scheme, click Save As.
  4. In the Save Scheme As dialog box, type a name for the new sound scheme.
  5. The new scheme is displayed in the Sound scheme box.

To delete a sound scheme

  • Select the scheme from the Sound scheme box, and then click Delete.

Using features for people who are blind or have impaired vision

To turn on the Magnifier window

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.
    –or–
  • Using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.

To change the position of the Magnifier window

  1. Place the mouse pointer inside the magnification window. The cursor becomes a hand.
  2. Do one of the following:

  • Drag the window to the desired area on your desktop. You can dock the magnification window to the top, bottom, or side of your screen, or you can position the window anywhere within the desktop area.
    –or–
  • Using the keyboard, press ALT+TAB until the Magnifier Settings dialog box appears. Press ALT+F6, press ALT+SPACEBAR, press M, use the arrow keys to move the Magnifier window, and then press ENTER when you have placed the window where you want it.

To change the size of the Magnifier window

  1. In Magnifier, move the mouse pointer over the edge of the magnification window. The cursor becomes a double-pointed arrow.
  2. Drag the magnification window border to resize the window.

To set the magnification level

  • In the Magnifier Settings dialog box, select a Magnification level. The default magnification level is 2.

To set Magnifier tracking options

  • In the Magnifier Settings dialog box, select the check box next to each tracking option you want to use:
  • To magnify the area around the mouse cursor as it moves on the screen, select Follow mouse cursor.
  • To magnify the area at the insertion point, select Follow keyboard focus. When you press TAB or use the arrow keys, the focus moves to reflect the current screen position.
  • To display the magnified area surrounding the insertion point while you are typing, select Follow text editing.

To invert the colors of the Magnifier window

  • In the Magnifier Settings dialog box, select the Invert colors check box.

To start Magnifier with the Magnifier Settings dialog box minimized

Starting Magnifier with the Magnifier Settings dialog box minimized is useful once you have set the options you like to use. You can then open Magnifier without looking at the Magnifier Settings dialog box unless you want to.

  • In the Magnifier Settings dialog box, select the Start Minimized check box.

To use Magnifier keyboard shortcuts


To do thisPress this
Copy the screen to the Clipboard, including the mouse cursor.  + PRINT SCREEN
Copy the screen to the Clipboard, without the mouse cursor.  + SCROLL LOCK
Invert the colors of the magnification window.  + PAGE UP
Follow the mouse cursor through the magnified area.  + PAGE DOWN
Increase magnification.  + UP ARROW
Decrease magnification.  + DOWN ARROW

Using features for people who have a mobility impairment

To turn on FilterKeys

FilterKeys is a keyboard feature that instructs the keyboard to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes. Using FilterKeys, you can also slow down the rate at which a key repeats when you hold it down.

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options. and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Keyboard tab, under FilterKeys, select the Use FilterKeys check box.
  3. To turn off FilterKeys, clear the Use FilterKeys check box.

To change FilterKeys options

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options. and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Keyboard tab, under FilterKeys, click Settings, and then do one of the following:

  • To use the shortcut that lets you turn StickyKeys on or off by holding down the right SHIFT key for eight or more seconds, select the Use shortcut check box.
  • To ignore a keystroke that is repeated too quickly, select Ignore repeated keystrokes.
  • To set further options, such as specifying the amount of time that must pass between repeated keystrokes in order for a keystroke to be recognized as an intended keystroke, click Settings.
  • To ignore a keystroke that is pressed too briefly, select Ignore quick keystrokes and slow down the repeat rate.
  • To set further options, such as specifying that keystrokes are not repeated when a key is held down or that a key must be held down for a specified amount of time to be accepted as a valid keystroke, click Settings.
  • To sound a beep when you press a key and another beep when the pressed key is accepted as a keystroke, under Notification, select the Beep when keys pressed or accepted check box.
  • To display an icon for FilterKeys on the taskbar when FilterKeys is turned on, under Notification, select the Show FilterKeys status on screen check box.

To turn on MouseKeys

MouseKeys is designed for people who have difficulty using a mouse. MouseKeys lets you use the numeric keypad to control the mouse pointer. If you want to use the numeric keypad for data entry as well as for navigation, you can set the MouseKeys to be activated by pressing NUM LOCK.

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options. and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Mouse tab, under MouseKeys, select the Use MouseKeys check box.

To turn on MouseKeys using keystrokes

  1. Press left ALT + left SHIFT + NUM LOCK.
  2. If the MouseKeys message dialog box appears, press the SPACEBAR to clear the Turn off keyboard shortcut for this accessibility feature check box.
  3. Press TAB, and then press ENTER.

To turn off MouseKeys

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options. and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Mouse tab, under MouseKeys, clear the Use MouseKeys check box.

To move the mouse pointer by using MouseKeys

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. To turn on MouseKeys, open Accessibility Options, click the Mouse tab, and then select the Use MouseKeys check box.
  3. Use the buttons on the numeric keypad to move the mouse pointer. If MouseKeys doesn't function, press NUM LOCK, and then try MouseKeys again.

  • To move the pointer horizontally or vertically, use the arrow keys on your numeric keypad.
  • To move the pointer diagonally, press HOME, END, PAGE UP, or PAGE DOWN on your numeric keypad.
  1. To specify whether NUM LOCK must be on or off for MouseKeys to function, on the Mouse tab, click Settings, and then for Use MouseKeys when NumLock is, click On or Off.
  2. To change the pointer speed and acceleration when using MouseKeys, on the Mouse tab, click Settings, and then move the sliders to adjust the pointer speed and acceleration.
  3. To temporarily increase or decrease the pointer speed, on the Mouse tab, click Settings, and then select the Hold down Ctrl to speed up and Shift to slow down check box.

To change MouseKeys options

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options. and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Mouse tab, under MouseKeys, click Settings, and then do one of the following:

  • To use the shortcut which allows you to turn MouseKeys on or off by pressing left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK, select the Use shortcut check box.
  • To set the maximum speed at which the mouse pointer moves when you hold down a MouseKeys direction key, under Pointer speed, drag the Top speed slider.
  • To set how quickly the mouse pointer accelerates to its maximum speed when you hold down a MouseKeys direction key, under Pointer speed, drag the Acceleration slider.
  • To enable slowing down the pointer speed by holding down the SHIFT key and speeding up the pointer speed by holding down the CTRL key while pressing MouseKeys direction keys, select the Hold down Ctrl to speed up and Shift to slow down check box.
  • To switch between MouseKeys and standard numeric keypad operation by pressing NUM LOCK, after Use MouseKeys when NumLock is select Off if you use the keypad for data entry or select On if you primarily use the numeric keypad for navigation.
  • To show an icon on the taskbar when MouseKeys is turned on, select the Show MouseKey status on screen check box.

To turn on StickyKeys

StickyKeys is used by people who have difficulty holding down two or more keys simultaneously. When a shortcut requires a key combination, such as CTRL + P, with StickyKeys you can press a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key, and it remains active until another key is pressed.

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Keyboard tab, under StickyKeys, select the Use StickyKeys check box.
  3. To turn off StickyKeys, clear the Use StickyKeys check box.
  4. If the Use shortcut check box in the Settings for StickyKeys dialog box is selected, you can turn StickyKeys on or off by pressing the SHIFT key five times.

To change StickyKeys options

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the Keyboard tab, under StickyKeys, and then click Settings.
  3. Do one of the following:

  • To use the shortcut to turn StickyKeys on or off by pressing the SHIFT key five times, select the Use shortcut check box.
  • To specify that when a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT) or the Windows logo key is pressed twice in succession, the key will remain active until the key is pressed again, under Options, select the Press modifier key twice to lock check box.
  • To turn off StickyKeys when a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key and another key are pressed simultaneously, under Options, select the Turn StickyKeys off if two keys are pressed at once check box.
  • To play a tone to indicate when a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key is pressed, locked, or released, under Notification, select the Make sounds when modifier key is pressed check box.
  • To display an icon for StickyKeys on the taskbar when StickyKeys is turned on, under Notification, select the Show StickyKeys status on screen check box.

To turn Serial Keys on or off

Serial Keys is used by people who have difficulty using the computer's standard keyboard or mouse. Serial Keys provides support so that alternative input devices, such as single switch devices, can be plugged into the computer's serial port.

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
  2. On the General tab, under SerialKey devices, select the Use Serial Keys check box to turn them on, or clear the Use Serial Keys check box to turn them off.

To adjust the key repeat rate on the keyboard

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Keyboard.
  2. On the Speed tab, make changes as follows:

  • To adjust the amount of time that elapses before characters repeat when you hold down a key, drag the Repeat delay slider.
  • To adjust how quickly characters repeat when you hold down a key, drag the Repeat rate slider.

To adjust the cursor blink rate

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Keyboard.
  2. On the Speed tab, drag the Cursor blink rate slider. The test cursor to the left of the slider area blinks at the new rate.
  3. To prevent the cursor (insertion point) from blinking, drag the slider to the left end of the bar. The cursor will remain visible, but will not blink.

Setting Up Your Computer to Use Utility Manager

Using Utility Manager, you can set up Windows to automatically start Magnifier, On-Screen Keyboard, and Narrator (English-only) each time you log on to your computer, and when Utility Manager starts.

To open Utility Manager

  • Press the Windows logo key   + U.

Using On-Screen Keyboard

On-Screen Keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the screen and allows users with mobility impairments to type data using a pointing device or joystick. On-Screen Keyboard has three typing modes you can use to type data:

  • Clicking mode. Allows you to click the on-screen keys to type text.
  • Scanning mode. On-Screen Keyboard continually scans the keyboard and highlights areas where you can type keyboard characters by pressing a hot key or using a switch-input device.
  • Hovering mode. Allows you to use a mouse or joystick to point to a key for a predefined period of time, and the selected character is typed automatically.

In On-Screen Keyboard you can also:

  • View an enhanced keyboard that includes the numeric keypad, or a standard keyboard that does not include the numeric keypad.
  • Display the keyboard with the keys in standard layout, or in a block layout in which keys are arranged in rectangular blocks. Block layout is especially useful in scanning mode.
  • Use Click Sound to add an audible click when you select a key.
  • Use Always on Top to keep your keyboard displayed on your screen when you switch programs or windows.

To open On-Screen Keyboard

The program in which you want to type characters must be open and active while you are using On-Screen Keyboard.

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click On-Screen Keyboard.

Using Internet Explorer Accessibility features and settings

All features in Internet Explorer are accessible through the use of the keyboard or the mouse.

You can change the font sizes, styles, and colors, and foreground and background colors of Web pages displayed on your computer screen. You can also specify the color used to indicate links in Web pages, or a special color for links that is used only when the mouse passes over the link. These customizations are useful if you have low vision, need larger fonts, or need high-contrast colors.

To move forward and backward between screen elements

  • In Internet Explorer, press TAB and SHIFT+TAB to move forward and backward between screen elements that include the following:
  • Links that are text or images
  • Hot spots on image maps
  • Address bar
  • Menu bar
  • Links bar
  • Frames

To use the Highlighting box

  • As you move to or click a link or image, a thin border appears around it so you can see what is selected.

To specify fonts and colors to always use for Web pages

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
  2. On the General tab, click Accessibility.
  3. Change the settings as needed, and then click OK.

To change how Web page colors are displayed

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
  2. On the General tab, click Colors.
  3. Change the settings as needed, and then click OK.

To display Web page text in a different font

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
  2. On the General tab, click Fonts.
  3. In the Web page font and Plain text font lists, click the fonts you want, and then click OK.

To display Web page text larger or smaller

  • In Internet Explorer, on the View menu, point to Text Size, click the size you want, and then click OK.

To customize the Internet Explorer toolbar

You can customize the toolbar by adding or removing buttons, changing the size of icons, and showing or hiding the text on labels.

  • In Internet Explorer, right-click the toolbar, and then click Customize.
  • If you have low vision, add the Size button to the toolbar for quick access to the font size. In the available Toolbar Buttons list, click Size, and then click Add.
  • If you are using a screen reader, select Small Icons in the Icon Options list and No text labels in the Text Options list to maximize the amount of screen space available for Web content.
  • Add any other buttons, if desired, by selecting them from the Available Toolbar Buttons list, and then clicking Add.

To use AutoComplete

AutoComplete saves you time when you are typing Web addresses or completing entries on Web pages by displaying a list of previous matching entries as you type.

  • In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, click Internet Options, click the Content tab, and then click the AutoComplete button.

  • If you have cognitive disabilities, you can clear the check boxes to avoid distractions.
  • If you use a blind-access utility, you can clear the check boxes if your accessibility aid reads the suggestions as they appear, making typing difficult.

To use Advanced options to make Internet Explorer more accessible

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
  2. Change the following settings as needed:

  • Move system caret with focus/selection changes

    If you use a screen reader, you may want to select this check box. Some screen readers or screen magnifiers use the system caret to determine which area of the screen to read or magnify.

  • Always expand alt text for images

    Select this check box if you rely on alternate (ALT) text instead of viewing the actual pictures (that is, you've cleared the Show pictures check box). This ensures that the text is not cut off if the amount of text is larger than the image area.

  • Use smooth scrolling and Enable page transitions

    If you use a screen-magnification or screen-reader program, you may want to clear these check boxes. If you use a voice-recognition program, and you experience recognition errors during smooth scrolling and transitions, you might also want to clear these check boxes.

  • Show pictures, Play animations, and Play videos

    If you have low vision, clearing these check boxes may improve performance.

    If you are sensitive to screen flashing, clear these check boxes.

  • Play sounds

    If you have cognitive disabilities, clear this check box to prevent distractions.

    If you are blind, clear this check box or selectively download sounds so that they do not interfere with a screen reader reading text aloud.

  • Print background colors and images

    If you have low vision, clear this check box to improve print legibility.

Using Outlook Express Accessibility features and settings

All features in Microsoft Outlook Express are accessible by the keyboard or the mouse.

You can customize how messages and message lists are displayed. You can display messages in a preview pane, and split the window horizontally or vertically between the message list and the preview pane, or you can display only the message list.

To receive audio notification of new messages

You can choose to be notified by a sound when new e-mail messages arrive.

  1. In Outlook Express, click the Tools menu, and then click Options.
  2. On the General tab, select the Play sound when new messages arrive check box.

To change the display of the preview pane

  1. In Outlook Express, click the View menu, and then click Layout.
  2. In the Preview Pane area, select the options you want, and then click OK.

To resize the preview pane and the message list

  • Point to the divider between the preview pane and the message list until you see a double arrow, and then drag the divider up or down.

To customize the toolbar

You can change the way the text appears on the toolbar, the size of the icons, and you can change the toolbar to display the buttons you use most.

  1. In Outlook Express, click the View menu, click Layout, and then click Customize Toolbar.
    –or–
    From a message window, click the View menu, point to Toolbars, and then click Customize.
  2. To modify the toolbar, do one of the following:

  • To modify the toolbar text, select an item from the Text Options list.
  • To modify the icon size, select an item from the Icon Options list.
  • To add or remove buttons, click the button name in the Available toolbar buttons list, and then click Add or Remove.
  • To change the order in which buttons appear, click the button in the Current toolbar buttons list, and then click Move Up or Move Down.

Using keyboard shortcuts with Windows Programs

Using Windows keyboard shortcuts

Use shortcut keys as an alternative to the mouse when working in Windows. You can open, close, and navigate the Start menu, desktop, menus, dialog boxes, and Web pages using keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts may also make it easier for you to interact with your computer.

Click a heading, or press TAB to highlight a heading, and then press ENTER.

General Windows keyboard shortcuts


To do this Press this
Copy CTRL+C
Cut CTRL+X
Paste CTRL+V
Undo CTRL+Z
Delete DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder F3
View properties for the selected item ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously CTRL+F4
Switch between open items ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task ESC
Prevent the CD from automatically playing SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive

Windows Dialog box keyboard shortcuts


To do this Press this
Move forward through tabs CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options TAB
Move backward through options SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons Arrow keys
Display Help F1
Display the items in the active list F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box BACKSPACE

Windows Accessibility keyboard shortcuts


To do this Press this
Switch FilterKeys on and off Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off Left ALT + left SHIFT + PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off Left ALT + left SHIFT + NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager Windows logo key+U

Using Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts

You can use shortcut keys to view and explore Web pages, preview pages before printing, use the Address bar, work with Favorites, and edit.

Viewing and exploring Web pages


To do this Press this
Display Internet Explorer Help, or when in a dialog box, display context Help on an item F1
Toggle between full-screen and regular views of the browser window F11
Move forward through the items on a Web page, the Address bar, and the Links bar TAB
Move back through the items on a Web page, the Address bar, and the Links bar SHIFT+TAB
Go to your Home page ALT+HOME
Go to the next page ALT+RIGHT ARROW
Go to the previous page ALT+LEFT ARROW
or
BACKSPACE
Display a shortcut menu for a link SHIFT+F10
Move forward between frames CTRL+TAB
or
F6
Move back between frames SHIFT+CTRL+TAB
Scroll toward the beginning of a document UP ARROW
Scroll toward the end of a document DOWN ARROW
Scroll toward the beginning of a document in larger increments PAGE UP
Scroll toward the end of a document in larger increments PAGE DOWN
Move to the beginning of a document HOME
Move to the end of a document END
Find on this page CTRL+F
Refresh the current Web page F5
or
CTRL+R
Refresh the current Web page, even if the time stamp for the Web version and your locally stored version are the same CTRL+F5
Stop downloading a page ESC
Go to a new location CTRL+O
or
CTRL+L
Open a new window CTRL+N
Close the current window CTRL+W
Save the current page CTRL+S
Print the current page or active frame CTRL+P
Activate a selected link ENTER
Open the Search bar CTRL+E
Open the Favorites bar CTRL+I
Open the History bar CTRL+H
In the History or Favorites bars, open multiple folders CTRL+click

Using Print Preview Accessibility features in Internet Explorer


To do this Press this
Set printing options and print the page ALT+P
Change paper, headers and footers, orientation, and margins for this page ALT+U
Display the first page to be printed ALT+HOME
Display the previous page to be printed ALT+LEFT ARROW
Type the number of the page you want displayed ALT+A
Display the next page to be printed ALT+RIGHT ARROW
Display the last page to be printed ALT+END
Zoom out ALT+MINUS
Zoom in ALT+PLUS
Display a list of zoom percentages ALT+Z
Specify how you want frames to print (this option is available only if you are printing a Web page that uses frames) ALT+F
Close Print Preview ALT+C

Using the Address bar Accessibility features in Internet Explorer


To do this Press this
Select the text in the Address bar ALT+D
Display a list of addresses you've typed F4
When in the Address bar, move the cursor left to the next logical break in the address (period or slash) CTRL+LEFT ARROW
When in the Address bar, move the cursor right to the next logical break in the address (period or slash) CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Add "www." to the beginning and ".com" to the end of the text typed in the Address bar CTRL+ENTER
Move forward through the list of AutoComplete matches UP ARROW
Move back through the list of AutoComplete matchesDOWN ARROW

Working with Favorites Accessibility features in Internet Explorer


To do this Press this
Add the current page to your favorites CTRL+D
Open the Organize Favorites dialog box CTRL+B
Move selected item up in the Favorites list in the Organize Favorites dialog box ALT+UP ARROW
Move selected item down in the Favorites list in the Organize Favorites dialog boxALT+DOWN ARROW

Editing in Internet Explorer


To do this Press this
Remove the selected items and copy them to the Clipboard CTRL+X
Copy the selected items to the Clipboard CTRL+C
Insert the contents of the Clipboard at the selected location CTRL+V
Select all items on the current Web page CTRL+A

Using Outlook Express keyboard shortcuts

Outlook Express Main window and message window


To do this Press this
Open Help topics F1
Select all messages CTRL+A

Outlook Express main window and view message window


To do this Press this
Print the selected message CTRL+P
Send and receive e-mail CTRL+M
Delete an e-mail message DEL
or
CTRL+D
Open or post a new messageCTRL+N
Open the Address Book CTRL+SHIFT+B
Reply to the message author CTRL+R
Forward a message CTRL+F
Reply to all CTRL+SHIFT+R
or
CTRL+G (news only)
Go to your Inbox CTRL+I
Go to the next message in the list CTRL+>
or
CTRL+SHIFT+>
Go to the previous message in the list CTRL+<
or
CTRL+SHIFT+<
View properties of a selected message ALT+ENTER
Refresh news messages and headers F5
Go to the next unread e-mail message CTRL+U
Go to the next unread news conversation CTRL+SHIFT+U
Go to a folder CTRL+Y

Outlook Express main window


To do this Press this
Open a selected message CTRL+O
or
ENTER
Mark a message as read CTRL+ENTER
or
CTRL+Q
Move between the Folders list (if on), message list, preview pane, and Contacts list (if on) TAB
Mark all news messages as read CTRL+SHIFT+A

Outlook Express Message window-viewing or sending


To do this Press this
Close a message ESC
Find text F3
Find a message CTRL+SHIFT+F
Switch among the Edit, Source, and Preview tabs CTRL+TAB

Outlook Express Message window-sending only


To do this Press this
Check names CTRL+K
or
ALT+K
Check spelling F7
Insert a signature CTRL+SHIFT+S
Send a message CTRL+ENTER
or
ALT+S

Using Windows Messenger keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to choose commands instead of using your mouse.


To do this in Windows Messenger Press this
Move to different sections in the Messenger window. TAB
Activate a selected item or open a selected link. ENTER
Select the File menu. F10
Open the File menu. DOWN ARROW
Move between menus. RIGHT ARROW and LEFT ARROW
Open a contextual menu (similar to right-clicking). SHIFT+F10
Move up in a list. UP ARROW
Move down in a list. DOWN ARROW
Move to the first item in a list. HOME
Move to the last item in a list. END
Start a new line in a message without sending it. SHIFT+ENTER
or
CTRL+ENTER
Select the next tab. CTRL+TAB
Select the previous tab. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Close dialog boxes or the Conversation window. ESC

Using Windows Media Player keyboard shortcuts

All features and buttons in Windows Media Player are accessible to you by using the keyboard only. The following table lists general keyboard shortcuts that you can use to select commands, buttons, and menus in the Player.


To do this in Windows Media Player Press this
Make the underlined letter for a command or button available. The File menu is highlighted initially.

After you press the ALT key, press the key for the underlined letter of the menu or command that you want to use.

You can use either the arrow keys or key of the underlined letter to select a different menu or an item on the menu.

ALT
Access the Now Playing, Media Guide, Copy from CD, Media Library, Radio Tuner, Copy to CD or Device, Premium Services, and Skin Chooser taskbar features. ALT, V, G
Move left and right or up and down on menus or lists.

You can also use the arrow keys to adjust the volume and to position the Seek slider.

Arrow keys
Play an item or select a command or button. ENTER or SPACEBAR
Select or clear a check box.

To select or clear contiguous check boxes, press and hold SHIFT, use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate check boxes, and then press SPACEBAR.

To select or clear check boxes for multiple items that are not contiguous, press and hold CTRL, use the arrow keys to highlight the check boxes, and then press SPACEBAR.

SPACEBAR
Move the pointer to a different area.

Press SHIFT+TAB to move the pointer in the opposite direction.

Press CTRL+TAB to move the focus between the inner and outer areas of the Player.

TAB
Display a shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Close any menu. ESC or ALT again
Restore the Player from mini Player mode. ALT+SHIFT+P

Using the Help viewer keyboard shortcuts


To do this in the Help viewer Press this
Display Internet Explorer Help, or when in a dialog box, display context Help on an item. F1
Move forward through the items on a Web page. TAB
Move back through the items on a Web page. SHIFT+TAB
Move forward between frames. CTRL+TAB or F6
Move back between frames. SHIFT+CTRL+TAB
Scroll toward the beginning of a document. UP ARROW
Scroll toward the end of a document. DOWN ARROW
Open or collapse the Table of Contents. ALT+C
Expand a node in the Table of Contents. RIGHT ARROW
Collapse a node in the Table of Contents. LEFT ARROW
Scroll toward the beginning of a document in larger increments. PAGE UP
Scroll toward the end of a document in larger increments. PAGE DOWN
Move to the beginning of a document. HOME
Move to the end of a document. END
Refresh the current Web page. F5 or CTRL+R
Refresh the current Web page, even if the time stamp for the Web version and your locally stored version are the same. CTRL+F5
Stop downloading a page. ESC
Close the current window. CTRL+W
Print the current page or active frame. CTRL+P
Activate the selected link. ENTER
Open the Organize Favorites dialog box. CTRL+B
Move selected item up in the Favorites list in the Organize Favorites dialog box. ALT+UP ARROW
Move selected item down in the Favorites list in the Organize Favorites dialog box. ALT+DOWN ARROW
Copy the selected items to the Clipboard. CTRL+C
Insert the contents of the Clipboard at the selected location. CTRL+V
Select all items on the current Web page. CTRL+A
Copy selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Activate the menu bar in the active program. F10
Open the next menu to the right or open a submenu. F10 then RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left or close a submenu. F10 then LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
Prevent the CD from automatically playing. SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive
Jump to Search. ALT+S
Jump to Advanced Search. ALT+R
Jump to the Content pane. CTRL+J
Jump to the previous page or topic. ALT+P
Jump to the next page or topic. ALT+N
Open the Shortcut menu. ALT+O