In Microsoft Windows, do I have to use a mouse?

For Windows Me and XP, you must have a mouse or other pointing device. In earlier versions of Windows, it is possible to execute virtually all commands without a mouse. However, the graphical environment of Windows is structured to make operation with a mouse most convenient, and many operations are cumbersome using the keyboard alone. You can, however, use keyboard shortcuts to good effect.

On most Windows menus, one letter in each item is underlined. You can type an item's letter when its menu is active. (To make the menu active, press the Alt key.) For example, you can print a document without using the mouse by pressing Alt-f and then  p .

Applications generally have a menu that you reach by clicking the application's icon at the top left corner of the window. Among other things, this menu lets you move and resize the window. You can access this menu without the mouse by pressing Alt-Spacebar. A quick way to minimize a window is by pressing Alt-Spacebar, followed by  n .

To toggle between running applications, press and hold the Alt key down, then press the Tab key. For each press of the Tab key, you will see a small information box containing the icon of the current application. Likewise, you can move backward through running applications by pressing Alt-Shift-Tab.

Following are some additional helpful keyboard shortcuts:

Also see:

• For Windows, what shortcuts are available if my keyboard has a Windows logo key?
• In Windows, if my mouse breaks, how can I save my work, exit, and restart?
• In Microsoft Word for Windows, what are some keyboard shortcuts?