Decoding a computer keyboard for dummies. Keyboard shortcuts (list)

Any standard modern keyboard is adapted for the English language. This type of keyboard is called PC/AT. The arrangement of the keys on them follows a single generally accepted scheme, and is mainly intended for English-speaking users.

On average, such a device has about 102 variety of keys , however, on specialized keyboards, such as gaming keyboards, there are additional buttons. Among them there are specialized keys that are responsible for working with the system. Among them there is the ESC key, which we will talk about today.

ESC is an abbreviation for the English word ESCAPE and is responsible for canceling an operation or returning to the previous state of the system. It could be like minimizing the window and exiting the running application or an open program, if such a possibility is allowed by the program itself.

Most often located at the top left of the keyboard, it has a square appearance. Some companies produce models in which the ESC is located at a sufficient distance from others keys , thereby preventing the button from being hit by mistake.

Functional

1. Exits an open application and then returns to the desktop.
2. Minimize an open application.
3. Cancels the operation currently in progress.
4. Access folders and lists that are higher up in the hierarchy.
5. Undo the last character entered in Word Excel.
6. Undoes the last change made.
7. Cancel selection.

Hotkeys

Hot keys are a variety of keyboard shortcuts that can make life much easier for the user, quickly calling the necessary program functions, searching and opening which will take a lot of time and nerves.

There are several combinations with the ESC key that will help the user to call up the desired system functionality in the shortest possible time.

• CONTRL+ESCAPE+WIN
• Opens start
• CONTROL+SHIFT+ESCAPE
• Calls up the task manager. Also, its analogue is everyone’s favorite CTRL+ALT+DELETE
• ALT+ESCAPE
• Transition between windows in running order. Executed in a loop
• WIN+ESCAPE
• Closing Magnifier

Replacing a key

As you can see, the ESCAPE key plays a vital role in any modern PC/AT keyboard. The location of this button can be changed. This is especially necessary on laptops, since if the ESC breaks, it will be very problematic and sometimes impossible to replace it.

Replacement is carried out using a variety of software that can be download from any site or, if you prefer licensed products, buy it in any store.

Changing the assignment of a key is done using a program where you can set the parameters you need and put ESC in any place convenient for you.

Then you can either leave the ESC key in place and use another one (simply irreplaceable in case of a breakdown or if you need the button to be in a place convenient for you), or remove the key itself and swap it with the key where ESC was assigned.

Such manipulations with the rearrangement of keys can be great help programmers and people, who simply find the ESC location insufficiently convenient.

Types of keyboards

Though QWERTY layout is the same layout for all keyboards, some developers manipulate this key, thereby trying to make ESCAPE more convenient to use.

Such experiments are not very popular, since in most cases the creators of such keyboards fail in the market due to the fact that they make their devices not particularly convenient for use by ordinary users. Most often, this type of keyboard is made specially to order.

However, there are also interesting manipulations with standard keyboards. For example: to save space, keyboards on a laptop are located as close to each other as possible. Due to this space saving, users often accidentally press ESC, which leads to unpleasant consequences.

On keyboards designed for PCs, ESC is most often placed further away from other keys, generously allocating space for it. On some gaming keyboards, the key you can turn it off altogether or put a jumper so you don't accidentally press it while playing.

conclusions

From all of the above, we can conclude that the ESC key is one of the most important keys on the keyboard. Without it it will be almost impossible make full use of all functionality operating system.

It participates in various combinations with other keys, helping the user to use the system more conveniently, and it is also possible to rearrange and reassign it using programs. This key is simply irreplaceable in any modern keyboard, and it is unlikely that analogues will appear in the near future.

The keyboard is used to enter information into the computer and provide control signals. It contains a standard set of alphanumeric keys and some additional keys - control and function keys, cursor control keys, as well as a small numeric keypad.

General concepts

Information entry point (cursor)- the symbol “|” flickering on the monitor screen, indicating the position in which the next character entered from the keyboard will be displayed.

The keyboard has a built-in buffer- small intermediate memory where entered characters are placed. All characters typed on the keyboard are immediately displayed on the monitor at the cursor position. However, if the system is busy, then the characters may not be immediately displayed on the screen, but placed in the keyboard buffer in order to display the entered characters on the screen after the system is released. If the keyboard buffer overflows, pressing a key will be accompanied by a sound signal, indicating that the character was not entered (rejected).

The most common today is 105(7) - a keyboard with a key layout QWERTY(read “querti”), named after the keys located in the upper left row of the alphanumeric part of the keyboard.

Alphanumeric keys

The alphanumeric keys of the keyboard are designed for entering English and Russian letters, numbers, punctuation marks and some other symbols. To change the input language, click in the indicator area Taskbars on the keyboard indicator icon and select the desired language.

The language can also be changed using the keyboard. To do this, you usually use one of two keyboard shortcuts: Alt (left) + Shift or Ctrl + Shift.

Alphanumeric keys also enter characters from other national alphabets. For example, if you have the Belarusian language installed on your system, then most of the letters of the Belarusian language coincide with the arrangement of the letters of the Russian language. But there are also differences. They are presented in the following table:

Function keys

At the top of the keyboard are 12 function keys. F1-F12. Function keys may have different meanings in different applications. Here is an example of the actions that the key performs F5.

Note that in many programs, the key is used to get help (hints). F1.

Control keys

Control keys have the following purpose:

Enter- enter key. In word processors, pressing the Enter key ends the paragraph entry. When working, for example, in a folder window or Conductor pressing the Enter key performs the same functions as double-clicking the left mouse button (usually the default action is open).

Esc(escape - exit) a key to cancel any actions, for example, to exit a dialog box, menu, etc.

Key Alt used to select a command from the active application menu without using the mouse. By pressing the Alt key, the user accesses the first menu item of the active application. Further selection of the command is carried out using the movement keys ↓ ← → and pressing the key Enter. Key Alt widely used in combination with other keys. Here are some of them:

Key Ctrl has no independent meaning, but when pressed together with other alphabetic or control keys, it changes their action. Here are some examples of using such combinations:

Shift(register) - provides change the register of keys(top to bottom and vice versa). For example, pressing a key Shift Together with the alphabet key, it allows you to enter capital letters.

Insert(insert) - switches insertion modes (new characters are entered between those already typed, moving them apart) and replacement modes (old characters are mixed in with new ones).

Delete(delete) - deletes a character from a position to the right of the cursor (information entry point).

Back Space deletes the character in front of the cursor, i.e. to the left of the information entry position. Recall that the key Back Space located on the keyboard above the key Enter.

Tab - tab key, in text editors, it moves the cursor to the right several positions at once until the next tab stop; in dialog boxes, it serves to move between various control elements.

Caps Lock- fixes uppercase, providing entering capital letters instead of lowercase letters. Note that the key Caps Lock Works only with letter keys and does not affect special character input.

Scroll Lock- used only in spreadsheets to scroll information without changing the active cell.

Print Screen- provides copying information, currently displayed on the screen in Clipboard.

Long bottom key untitled - intended for entering spaces (to separate words).

The Windows logo key displays Main menu Windows. In addition, it is used to execute some commands, a list of which is given in the table below:

Keyboard shortcut	Purpose
Windows + Break	Opening a dialog box Properties of the system
Windows + D or Windows + M	Minimize all windows
Windows + Shift + M	Restoring minimized windows
Windows + E	Opening the My Computer window
Windows + F	Search for a file or folder
Ctrl + Windows + F	Search for computers
Windows + F1	Displaying Windows Help
Windows + L	Lock the computer when connected to a domain or switch users if the computer is not connected to a domain
Windows + R	Opening a dialog box Execute
Windows+U	Opening Utility Manager

The key serves to call the context menu of the selected object, i.e. it replaces right-clicking on the selected object.

Navigation keys

Navigation keys have the following purpose.

The ↓ ← → keys are used to move the cursor accordingly up, down, left and right per position or line.

Home and End- provide movement of the cursor to the first and last position of the line, respectively.

Page Up and Page Down- provide movement through the text one screen page back and forth, respectively.

Small numeric keypad

Small numeric keypad can be used in two modes: for entering numbers and for cursor control. These modes are switched using the key Num Lock.

Naturally implies excellent keyboard skills. Many functions that significantly speed up the execution of any work.

F1 - Call Windows Help. When clicked from the window of a program, it opens help for that program.

F2 - Rename the selected object on the desktop or in Explorer.

F3 - Open a search window for a file or folder (on the desktop and in Explorer).

F4 - Open a drop-down list (for example, the address bar list in the My Computer window or in Explorer).

F5 - Refresh the active window (open web page, desktop, explorer).

F6 - Switch between screen elements in a window or on the desktop. In Explorer and Internet Explorer, move between the main part of the window and the address bar.

F7 - Spell check (in Word, Excel).

F8 - When loading the OS - select the boot mode. Enable advanced text highlighting in Word. Selecting a fragment from the initial to the final cursor position occurs without holding down the Shift key. A second press of the F8 key highlights the word closest to the cursor. The third is the sentence containing it. Fourth - paragraph. Fifth - document. The easiest way to remove the last selection is by pressing the key combination Shift+F8. You can disable the mode by pressing the Esc key.

F9 - In some programs, updating selected fields.

F10 - Call the window menu.

F11 - Switch to full screen mode and back (for example, in Internet Explorer).

F12 - Go to selecting file saving options (File - Save As).

Esc - cancel the last command entered, exit the window menu (remove focus) or close the open dialog.

Tab — Enter tab stops when typing. Move focus across elements. For example, moving between the desktop, Start button, Quick Launch, taskbar, and system tray. Navigate through elements (including links) of an open document. Alt+Tab - switch between windows.

Shift - upper case key (non-fixed switching). Used simultaneously with other keys to type capital letters as well as uppercase characters.

The Ctrl+Shift or Alt+Shift combinations are usually used to switch keyboard layouts.

Capslock - upper case (fixed switching). Used when typing text in CAPITAL letters. Pressing the key again cancels this mode.

Alt - used in conjunction with other keys, modifying their action.

For example, Alt+letter - call a menu command or open a menu column. The corresponding letters in the menu are usually underlined (either initially, or become underlined after pressing Alt). If the menu column is already open, you can then press the key with the letter that is underlined in this command to call a specific command. The same applies to the open context menu.

Ctrl - used in combination with other keys. For example, Ctrl+C - copy, Ctrl+V - paste, Ctrl+Alt+Del - open Windows task manager.

Win (“start”) - opens the Start menu.

AppsKey - calls the context menu for the selected object (equivalent to right-clicking the mouse).

Enter - Confirm selection. Same as double clicking on an object. Clicking on the currently active button in the dialog. Often - clicking on the “default” button in the dialog. When entering commands from the keyboard, complete the command entry and proceed to its execution. When typing, move to a new paragraph.

Backspace - View a folder one level up in the My Computer window or Windows Explorer window. In text editing mode, delete the character to the left of the input cursor).

Delete — Delete the selected object, selected text fragment or character to the right of the input cursor.

Up, Down, Right and Left Arrows - Allows you to navigate through menu options. Move the input cursor in the appropriate direction by one position. The action of these keys in many programs can be modified using service keys, primarily SHIFT and CTRL.

Home - moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line of the document or to the beginning of the list of files.

End - moves the cursor to the end of the current line of the document or to the end of the list of files.

PageUp/PageDown — moves the cursor one page up or down. The term "page" usually refers to the portion of a document that is visible on the screen. Used to “scroll” the content in the current window.

Insert - Switch between insert and replace modes when editing text. If the text cursor is located inside existing text, then in insert mode new characters are entered without replacing existing characters (the text is, as it were, moved apart). In replace mode, new characters replace the text that was previously present at the input position.

PrtScn (print screen) - Takes a screenshot and places it on the clipboard. Alt+PrtScn - copying a screenshot of the currently active window (application) to the clipboard.

ScrLk (Scroll Lock) - refers to service keys. Its short description is scroll blocking. Designed for a screen display mode in which pressing the cursor keys leads to a shift not of the cursor as such, but of the entire contents of the screen. Now this key is used for this purpose very rarely, but, for example, in Excel it works. This is very convenient when editing large tables.

Pause/Break - pauses the computer (in DOS it worked everywhere, in modern operating systems - only while the computer was booting).

Numlock - Changes the numeric keypad mode. When turned on, the numeric keypad switches to digit entry mode; when turned off, the additional keyboard can be used to control the cursor.

Additional numeric keypad.

These keys are a favorite among bank tellers with nimble fingers and anyone who has to type a lot of numbers. The numeric keypad resembles a calculator and is located on the right side of the keyboard. (However, you must press the Num Lock key for it to work. If you don't, you'll be stuck with the cursor keys.)

When Num Lock is turned off, the keys on the secondary numeric keypad will act as cursor keys. They show small arrows showing the direction the cursor is moving across the screen. (The number 5 key, which does not have an arrow, does nothing but combat low self-esteem.) In addition, the cursor is controlled by keys with the words “Home”, “End”, “PgUp” and “PgDn”.

The main device for manual input of information, commands and data. This article discusses the keyboard structure, layout, key assignments, symbols and signs.

Computer keyboard: operating principle

Basic keyboard functions do not require special software. The drivers necessary for its operation are already available in the BIOS ROM. Therefore, the computer responds to commands from the main keyboard keys immediately after turning on.

How the keyboard works:

1. After pressing a key, the keyboard chip generates a scan code.
2. The scan code enters a port integrated into the motherboard.
3. The keyboard port reports a fixed-number interrupt to the processor.
4. Having received a fixed interrupt number, the processor contacts a special interrupt. an area of ​​RAM containing an interrupt vector - a list of data. Each entry in the data list contains the address of the program servicing the interrupt, which matches the entry number.
5. Having determined the program entry, the processor proceeds to execute it.
6. The interrupt handler program then directs the processor to the keyboard port, where it finds the scan code. Next, under the control of the processor, the processor determines which character corresponds to this scan code.
7. The handler sends code to the keyboard buffer, notifying the processor, and then stops working.
8. The processor moves on to the pending task.
9. The entered character is stored in the keyboard buffer until it is picked up by the program for which it is intended, for example, the Microsoft Word text editor.

Photo of a computer keyboard and the purpose of the keys

A standard keyboard has more than 100 keys, divided into functional groups. Below is the picture - photo of computer keyboard with a description of key groups.

Alphanumeric keys

Alphanumeric keys are used to enter information and commands typed by letter. Each of the keys can work in different registers and also represent several characters.

Switching case (entering lowercase and uppercase characters) is carried out by holding the Shift key. For hard (permanent) case switching, Caps Lock is used.

If the computer keyboard is used to enter text data, the paragraph is closed by pressing the Enter key. Next, data entry begins on a new line. When the keyboard is used to enter commands, Enter ends the input and begins execution.

Function keys

The function keys are located at the top of the keyboard and consist of 12 buttons F1 – F12. Their functions and properties depend on the running program, and in some cases the operating system.

A common function in many programs is the F1 key, which calls up help, where you can find out the functions of other buttons.

Special keys

Special keys are located next to the alphanumeric group of buttons. Due to the fact that users often resort to using them, they have an increased size. These include:

1. Shift and Enter discussed earlier.
2. Alt and Ctrl – used in combination with other keyboard keys to form special commands.
3. Tab is used for tabulation when typing text.
4. Win – opens the Start menu.
5. Esc – refusal to use the started operation.
6. BACKSPACE – deleting the characters just entered.
7. Print Screen – prints the current screen or saves a snapshot of it to the clipboard.
8. Scroll Lock – switches the operating mode in some programs.
9. Pause/Break – pause/interrupt the current process.

Cursor keys

The cursor keys are located to the right of the alphanumeric pad. Cursor is a screen element indicating the location for entering information. The directional keys move the cursor in the direction of the arrows.

Additional keys:

1. Page Up/Page Down – move the cursor to page up/down.
2. Home and End – move the cursor to the beginning or end of the current line.
3. Insert – traditionally switches the data input mode between insertion and replacement. In different programs, the action of the Insert button may be different.

Additional numeric keypad

The additional numeric keyboard duplicates the actions of the numeric and some other keys of the main input panel. To use it, you must first enable the Num Lock button. Also, the additional keyboard keys can be used to control the cursor.

Keyboard shortcut

When you press a certain key combination, a particular command is executed for the computer.

Commonly used keyboard shortcuts:

• Ctrl + Shift + Esc – open the Task Manager.
• Ctrl + F – search window in the active program.
• Ctrl + A – selects all content in the open window.
• Ctrl + C – copy the selected fragment.
• Ctrl + V – paste from the clipboard.
• Ctrl + P — prints the current document.
• Ctrl + Z – cancels the current action.
• Ctrl + X – cut the selected section of text.
• Ctrl + Shift + → selecting text by words (starting from the cursor position).
• Ctrl + Esc - opens/closes the Start menu.
• Alt + Printscreen – screenshot of the active program window.
• Alt + F4 – closes the active application.
• Shift + Delete – permanently delete an object (past the trash can).
• Shift + F10 – call the context menu of the active object.
• Win + Pause – system properties.
• Win + E – launches Explorer.
• Win + D – minimizes all open windows.
• Win + F1 – opens Windows Help.
• Win + F – opens the search window.
• Win + L – lock the computer.
• Win + R – open “Run a program”.

Keyboard symbols

Surely, many users have noticed symbols for nicknames and other social networks. How to make symbols on the keyboard if there are no explicit keys for this?

You can place characters on the keyboard using Alt codes - additional commands for entering hidden characters. These commands are entered by simply pressing Alt + a decimal number.

You can often come across questions: how to make a heart on the keyboard, an infinity sign or a euro on the keyboard?

• alt + 3 =
• Alt+8734 = ∞
• Alt + 0128 = €

These and other keyboard symbols are presented in the following tables in the form of pictures. The “Alt code” column contains a numeric value, after entering which, in combination with the Alt key, a certain character will be displayed. The symbol column contains the final result.

Please note that if the additional numeric keypad is not enabled - Num Lock is not pressed, then the Alt + number key combination may lead to unexpected results.

For example, if you press Alt + 4 in the browser without Num Lock enabled, the previous page will open.

Punctuation marks on the keyboard

Sometimes users, when trying to put a punctuation mark on the keyboard, do not get exactly what they expected. This is due to the fact that different keyboard layouts imply different use of key combinations.

Below we discuss how to put punctuation marks on the keyboard.

Punctuation marks with Cyrillic alphabet

• " (quotes) - Shift + 2
• № (number) - Shift + 3
• ; (semicolon) - Shift + 4
• % (percentage) - Shift + 5
• : (colon) - Shift + 6
• ? (question mark) - Shift + 7
• ((open bracket) - Shift + 9
• – (dash) – button labeled “-”
• , (comma) - Shift + “period”
• + (plus) – Shift + button with plus sign “+”
• . (dot) – button to the right of the letter “U”

Latin punctuation marks

• ~ (tilde) - Shift + Yo
• ! (exclamation mark) - Shift + 1
• @ (dog - used in email address) - Shift + 2
• # (hash) - Shift + 3
• $ (dollar) – Shift + 4
• % (percentage) - Shift + 5
• ^ — Shift + 6
• & (ampersand) - Shift + 7
• * (multiply or asterisk) - Shift + 8
• ((open bracket) - Shift + 9
• ) (close bracket) - Shift + 0
• – (dash) – key on the keyboard labeled “-”
• + (plus) - Shift and +
• = (equal) – equal sign button
• , (comma) – key with the Russian letter “B”
• . (dot) - key with the Russian letter “Yu”
• < (левая угловая скобка) — Shift + Б
• > (right angle bracket) - Shift + Yu
• ? (question mark) – Shift + button with a question mark (to the right of “Y”)
• ; (semicolon) – letter “F”
• : (colon) – Shift + “F”
• [ (left square bracket) – Russian letter “X”
• ] (right square bracket) – “Ъ”
• ( (left curly brace) – Shift + Russian letter “X”
• ) (right curly brace) – Shift + “Ъ”

Computer keyboard layout

Computer keyboard layout- a scheme for assigning symbols of national alphabets to specific keys. Switching the keyboard layout is done programmatically - one of the functions of the operating system.

In Windows, you can change the keyboard layout by pressing Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift. Typical keyboard layouts are English and Russian.

If necessary, you can change or add a keyboard language in Windows 7 by going to Start – Control Panel – Clock, language and region (sub-item “change keyboard layout or other input methods”).

In the window that opens, select the “Languages ​​and keyboards” tab - “Change keyboard”. Then, in a new window, on the “General” tab, click “Add” and select the required input language. Don't forget to save your changes by clicking OK.

Virtual computer keyboard

Virtual keyboard- a separate program or an add-on included in the software. With its help, you can enter letters and symbols from the computer screen using the mouse cursor.

A virtual keyboard is needed, for example, to protect confidential data (login and password). When entering data using a regular keyboard, there is a risk of information being intercepted by malicious spyware. Then, via the Internet, the information is transmitted to the attacker.

You can find and download a virtual keyboard using search engines - it won’t take much of your time. If Kaspersky anti-virus is installed on your PC, you can launch the virtual keyboard through the main program window; it is included in it.

Screen keyboard

Screen keyboard located on the touch screen of a smartphone, clicking on it occurs with the user’s fingers. Sometimes it is called virtual.

To launch the on-screen keyboard in Windows 7, go to Start - All Programs - Accessories - then Accessibility - On-Screen Keyboard. It looks like this.

To switch the keyboard layout, use the corresponding buttons on the taskbar (near the date and time, at the bottom left of the monitor screen).

What to do if the keyboard does not work

If your keyboard suddenly stops working, don’t rush to get upset, first find out what caused the breakdown. All the reasons why it does not work can be divided into hardware and software.

In the first case, if the keyboard hardware is broken, fixing the problem without special skills is very problematic. Sometimes it’s easier to replace it with a new one.

Before you say goodbye to a seemingly faulty keyboard, check the cable with which it is connected to the system unit. It may have come off a little. If everything is fine with the cable, make sure that the breakdown is not caused by a software glitch in the computer. To do this, restart your PC.

If after a reboot the keyboard shows no signs of life, try to wake it up using the solution available in Windows. The sequence of actions is given using Windows 7 as an example; if you have a different version of the Windows operating system, proceed by analogy. The principle is approximately the same, the names of the menu sections may differ slightly.

Go to Start - Control Panel - Hardware and Sound - Device Manager. In the window that opens, if you have problems with your keyboard, it will be marked with a yellow label with an exclamation mark. Select it with the mouse and select Action – Delete from the menu. After uninstallation, close Device Manager.

Return to the Hardware and Sound tab and select Add a Device. After searching for equipment, your keyboard will be found and its drivers will be installed.

If the hardware installation was successful and the keyboard failure was due to a software glitch, the Num Lock key indicator on the keyboard will light up.

If the problem cannot be resolved, then a temporary solution may be.

These days, a computer keyboard, like a mouse, is considered a low-value device. However, it plays an important role in working with a computer.

F1 - calls up Windows Help or the help window of the active program. In Microsoft Word, the Shift+F1 key combination shows text formatting;

F2- renames the selected object on the desktop or in the Explorer window;

F3- opens a search window for a file or folder on the desktop and in Explorer. The Shift+F3 key combination is often used to search backwards;

F4- opens a drop-down list, for example, the address bar list in the 'My Computer' window or in Explorer. The keyboard shortcuts Alt+F4 in Windows are used to close applications, and Ctrl+F4− to close part of a document or program (for example, tabs);

F5 - refreshes the active window of an open web page, desktop, explorer, and so on. In Microsoft PowerPoint, F5 starts the slide show from the beginning, and the key combination Shift+F5− starts from the current slide;

F6 - switch between screen elements in a window or on the desktop. In Explorer and Internet Explorer - move between the main part of the window and the address bar;

F7- checks spelling (in Word, Excel);

F8 - when loading the operating system, selects the boot mode.

In the Word editor, enables advanced text selection.

Selecting a fragment from the initial to the final cursor position occurs without holding down the Shift key.

Pressing F8 again highlights the word closest to the cursor. The third is the sentence containing it. Fourth - paragraph. Fifth - document.

You can remove the last selection by pressing the key combination Shift+F8.

You can disable the mode using the Esc key;

F9 - in some programs updates selected fields;

F10- activates the full menu, and the key combination Shift+F10 activates the context menu;

F11 - switches the window to full screen mode and back, for example, in Internet Explorer;

F12 - goes to selecting file saving options (File -> Save As).

On a standard PC/AT keyboard, the alphanumeric block consists of 47 keys and includes keys for entering letters, numbers, punctuation, arithmetic, and special characters. The effect of these keys depends on the case (lower - upper) in which these keys are pressed.

The control keys Shift, Ctrl, Caps Lock, Alt and AltGr (right Alt) are also called modifier keys, since they are designed to change the actions of other keys.

Shift (read “Shift”) is an uppercase key (non-fixed switching). Used in conjunction with other keys, such as the alphanumeric block keys for typing capital letters and uppercase characters.

Additionally, the Shift key is used as a modifier in keyboard shortcuts and mouse clicks. For example, to open a link in a separate window in a browser, you need to click on the link with the mouse while holding down the Shift key.

Ctrl (read “control”) - used in combination with other keys, for example:

Ctrl+A- on Windows selects all text in the window;

Ctrl+B- in the MS Word editor switches the font to “bold-normal”;

Ctrl+C- in programs with WinAPI copies text to the buffer, and in console programs it ends the command;

Ctrl+F- in many programs opens a search dialog;

Ctrl+I- in the MS Word editor switches the font to “italic-normal”;

Ctrl+N- in programs with a multi-window interface opens a new empty window;

Ctrl+O- in many programs opens a dialog for opening an existing file;

Ctrl+P - in many programs, sends text to print or opens a print dialog;

Ctrl+Q - in some programs exit it;

Ctrl+R- in browsers refreshes the contents of the window;

Ctrl+S - in many programs saves the current file or opens a save dialog; meaning of computer keyboard keys

Ctrl+T- in browsers opens a new tab;

Ctrl+U- in the MS Word editor toggles text underlining;

Ctrl+V- in programs with WinAPI pastes the contents of the clipboard;

Ctrl+W- in some programs closes the current window;

Ctrl+Z- in many programs undoes the last action;

Ctrl+F5- in browsers updates the content;

Ctrl+Home - in programs with a text field, moves to the beginning of the document being edited;

Ctrl+End - in programs with a text field, moves to the end of the document being edited;

Ctrl+- in Total Commander navigates to the root directory of the disk.

Alt (read “Alt”) - used in conjunction with other keys, modifying their action. For example:

Alt+F4- in all programs closes them;

Alt+F7- in some programs opens a search dialog;

Alt+F10 - in some file managers brings up the directory tree;

Alt+Tab- in Windows navigates to the next running window;

Alt+letter - in some programs calls menu commands or opens menu columns.

Additionally, the keyboard shortcuts Alt+Shift or Ctrl+Shift are commonly used to switch keyboard layouts.

Capslock (read “Capslock”) - switch to uppercase mode (fixed switching). Pressing the key again cancels this mode. Used when typing text in CAPITAL letters.

The Esc control key (read “Escape”), used to cancel the current operation or last change, minimize an application, go to the previous menu or screen, or remove a selection, is located in the left corner of the keyboard next to the function key block.

In the Windows operating system, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens the Task Manager.

Tab (read “Tab”) - in text editors, enters a tab character and works with indentations, and in graphical interfaces moves focus between elements. For example, moving between the desktop, Start button, Quick Launch, taskbar, and system tray.

The AppsKey action is equivalent to right-clicking the mouse and brings up a context menu for the selected object.

Line feed key Enter (Enter) - used to enter a line feed when typing text, selecting a menu item, issuing a command or confirming an action, and so on.

Backspace (read “Backspace”) - in text editing mode, deletes the character to the left of the cursor, and outside the typing area - returns to the previous screen of the program or web page in the browser.

Delete (read “Divide”) - deletes the selected object, selected text fragment or character to the right of the input cursor.

The Insert key (read “Insert”) is used to switch between insertion modes (the text appears to move apart) and replacement modes (new characters replace existing text) when editing text.

The Ctrl+Insert key combination replaces the “copy” command, and Shift+Insert replaces the “paste” command. In the Total Commander and FAR Manager file managers, the key is used to select a file or folder.

PrtScn (print screen) (read “Print screen”) - takes a screenshot and places it on the clipboard. In combination with the Alt key, a snapshot of the currently active window is copied to the buffer.

The ScrLk (Scroll Lock) service key (read “Scroll Lock”) blocks scrolling and when activated with the cursor keys, the contents of the entire screen are shifted, which is very convenient when editing large tables, for example, in Excel.

Pause/Break (read “Pause” or “Break”) - pauses the computer. In modern operating systems, this key is only relevant when the computer boots.

The up, down, right and left arrows refer to the cursor keys and allow you to navigate through menu items and move the input cursor in the corresponding direction by one position. When combined with the Ctrl key, the arrows move a greater distance. For example, in the Microsoft Word editor, Ctrl+← moves the cursor one word to the left.

Using the Shift key selects a block of text.

The Home and End keys move the cursor to the beginning and end of the current line of a document or list of files.

What hotkeys are useful to know?

The Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination is indispensable when the computer freezes; it calls up the “Task Manager”, with which you can end a process, cancel a task, or shut down the computer.

Alt + Tab keys allow 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.

The combination Alt + Space (spacebar) opens the window system menu, with which you can restore, move, maximize, minimize and close the window without using the mouse.

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

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

Win + E opens the My Computer folder.

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

Meaning of computer keyboard keys

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