Technical Note #1510 - Keyboard Navigation

Technical Note #1510

Keyboard Navigation under Windows

Application affected: Windows Date Created: 9/24/96

Version Number: All Last Modified: 9/24/96

File Date(s): n/a Created By: Mike Rimov

Type of Note: Guide Additional Info:

Keywords: keyboard navigation movement cursor

Summary: In some instances, the mouse cursor will become locked up. This is especially true when you are trying to troubleshoot IRQ conflicts, etc. Generally, when the mouse cursor freezes, the system remains fully active.

In these cases, you should not simply shut off the computer, or press the RESET button. You should instead navigate your way out of Windows and shut it down properly, in order to avoid damaging Windows by a power-off.

This technical note will provide a handy reference guide for navigating Windows using the keyboard.

Details:

Although many people are not familiar with this feature, Windows can be navigated without a working mouse. In general, you can select a menu item by pressing the Alt key and pressing the underlined letter in the menu. For example, you will see many menus that have the File option. For this case, Alt-F will drop down the File menu in the application that is currently the active application. Besides this, there are several useful key combinations that can be used to assist in navigation.

Key Sequence Action Desired

Alt-F4 Close an Application

Alt-<Spacebar> Activate the system menu at the top left corner of the active window.

Alt-Tab Switch between applications

<Ctrl-Esc> In Windows 95, this activates the Start menu, so the Shutdown sequence can be started. Under Windows 3.1, this will activate the Task Manager which can be used to shut down applications that are misbehaving.

<Esc> Cancel out of a Dialog Box. This often works even in dialog boxes that do not have a cancel button. For example, launch the Free Cell game under Windows 95. Go to the Game Menu and select "Select Game" When the game prompts you for which game number to launch, press the <Esc> key and your action will be cancelled.

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Application affected:	Windows	Date Created:	9/24/96
Version Number:	All	Last Modified:	9/24/96
File Date(s):	n/a	Created By:	Mike Rimov
Type of Note:	Guide	Additional Info:

Key Sequence	Action Desired
Alt-F4	Close an Application
Alt-<Spacebar>	Activate the system menu at the top left corner of the active window.
Alt-Tab	Switch between applications
<Ctrl-Esc>	In Windows 95, this activates the Start menu, so the Shutdown sequence can be started. Under Windows 3.1, this will activate the Task Manager which can be used to shut down applications that are misbehaving.
<Esc>	Cancel out of a Dialog Box. This often works even in dialog boxes that do not have a cancel button. For example, launch the Free Cell game under Windows 95. Go to the Game Menu and select "Select Game" When the game prompts you for which game number to launch, press the <Esc> key and your action will be cancelled.