Ctrl+Alt+Del: The infamous Three-Finger Salute brings up the Windows Task Manager. When Windows freezes, this is the way out. (Doing the Ctrl+Alt+Del combination twice no longer results in an automatic reboot of Windows.) Alt+Tab: Once known as the “CoolSwitch” holding down the Alt key and repeatedly pressing Tab cycles through all running programs. Unfortunately, the desktop isn’t one of your choices. Shift: Holding down the Shift key when you insert a CD temporarily overrides Windows’ attempts to run, play, copy, or otherwise automatically do something with the inserted CD. (If you need to insert the Windows installation CD to retrieve a file, hold down the Shift key while you slide in the CD, and you don’t have to close out of the installer’s starting screen.) Shift+Del: Permanently deletes an item and doesn't place it in the Recycle Bin. Ctrl+drag: Hold down the Ctrl key while you drag an item, and you make a copy. Windows key or Ctrl+Esc: Brings up the Start menu. (Easy way to exit Windows if your mouse freezes.) Windows key+M or Windows key+D: Minimizes all open windows so that you can see your desktop immediately. Esc: Stops whatever is happening. Alt+F4: Closes the current program. Home: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line or list. (Ctrl+Home moves the cursor to the beginning of the document.) End: Moves the cursor to the end of the current line or list. (Ctrl+End moves the cursor to the end of the document.) Ctrl+B: Bold (usually toggles bold on or off , if it was off, this shortcut turns it on, and vice-versa). Ctrl+I: Italic (a toggle). Ctrl+U: Underline (usually a toggle, too). Windows+E: Opens Windows Explorer, starting at My Computer. Windows+F: Same as Start ➪ Search Windows+R: Same as Start ➪ Run Windows+Pause or Break: Brings up the System Properties dialog box. Shift+F10: Same as right-clicking. Windows+L: If Fast User Switching is enabled, it brings up the welcome screen. If Fast User Switching is not enabled, it brings up the logon screen.