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Windows XP

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Looking for Windows Vista version of the article? Click here then.
Looking for Windows 7 version of the article? Click here then.

Windows XP is becoming old by now (it was released back in 2001), but millions are still using it. In part because older computers that are just not capable of running Windows Vista or Windows 7, in part because of Microsoft pricing strategies and in part because people have got used to it and like it a lot. Windows XP still does a good job for beginners and average users today. If you're using your computer to browse the internet and write a few e-mails, XP does it all very well.

Windows XP editions and latest service pack

Windows XP has several editions:

• Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows XP 64-bit Edition
• Windows XP Media Center Edition
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

The latest service pack for all editions of Windows XP is Service Pack 3. In case you still have older service pack or no service pack, you should install it via Windows Update or download it directly from Microsoft.

Which edition and service pack have I got?

The quickest way of getting info is to press Windows KEY+Break on your keyboard - that is, if you have a keyboard with Windows key. Scroll down here then.

Else, right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop or Start menu:

Then click Properties and check what's written under System:

Windows XP keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+C - Copy
• CTRL+X - Cut
• CTRL+V - Paste
• CTRL+Z - Undo
• DELETE - Delete
• SHIFT+DELETE - Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
• CTRL while dragging an item - Copy the selected item
• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item - Create a shortcut to the selected item
• F2 key - Rename the selected item
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph
• CTRL+UP ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph
• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys - Highlight a block of text
• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys - Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document
• CTRL+A - Select all
• F3 key - Search for a file or a folder
• ALT+ENTER - View the properties for the selected item
• ALT+F4 - Close the active item, or quit the active program
• ALT+ENTER - Display the properties of the selected object
• ALT+SPACEBAR - Open the shortcut menu for the active window
• CTRL+F4 - Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously
• ALT+TAB - Switch between the open items
• ALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened
• F6 key - Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop
• F4 key - Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
• SHIFT+F10 -Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
• ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the System menu for the active window
• CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu
• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name - Display the corresponding menu
• Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu - Perform the corresponding command
• F10 key - Activate the menu bar in the active program
• RIGHT ARROW - Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
• LEFT ARROW - Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
• F5 key - Update the active window
• BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
• ESC - Cancel the current task
• SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive - Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC - Open Task Manager
• Windows KEY - Display or hide the Start menu
• Windows KEY+BREAK - Display the System Properties dialog box
• Windows KEY+D - Display the desktop
• Windows KEY+M - Minimize all of the windows
• Windows KEY+SHIFT+M - Restore the minimized windows
• Windows KEY+E - Open My Computer
• Windows KEY+F - Search for a file or a folder
• CTRL+Windows KEY+F - Search for computers
• Windows KEY+F1 - Display Windows Help
• Windows KEY+ L - Lock the keyboard
• Windows KEY+R - Open the Run dialog box
• Windows KEY+U - Open Utility Manager

You can find more keyboard shortcuts at Microsoft.

Looking for Windows Vista version of the article? Click here then.
Looking for Windows 7 version of the article? Click here then.

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