Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Windows Tips & Tricks (Registry Tips)

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Tweak #1: How to rename the recyle bin

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To change the name of the Recycle Bin desktop icon, go to Start -> Run -> regedit. Go to the following:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/CLSID/{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Now change the name “Recycle Bin” to whatever you want (don’t type any quotes).


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Tweak #2 Remove “All Programs” Button from the Start Menu

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Create a new DWORD value [ Right-click -> New ], or modify the existing value, called “NoStartMenuMorePrograms” and set it according to the value data below.

(0 = default, 1 = disable button)

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


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Tweak #3: Remove Arrow from Icons on the Desktop

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Start -> Run -> Cmd -> regedit

Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile delete the IsShortcut registry value.
Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile delete the IsShortcut registry value.
Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ConferenceLink delete the IsShortcut registry value.
Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DocShortCut delete the IsShortcut registry value.
Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\InternetShortcut delete the IsShortcut registry value.
Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WSHFile delete the IsShortcut registry value.

Close regedit and reboot the computer and the arrow is gone for good.

Note: Remember editing the registry can cause problems, if you do the wrong thing. Do not do this unless you feel safe editing the regestry.


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Tweak #4: Cleaning the Prefetch Directory

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WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs.
However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.

To clean this periodically go to:

1. Star / Run / Prefetch
2. Press Ctrl-A to highlight all the files
3. Delete them


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Tweak #5: Disable Error Reporting

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1. Open Control Panel
2. Click on Performance and Maintenance.
3. Click on System.
4. Then click on the Advanced tab
5. Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows.
6. Select Disable error reporting.
7. Click OK
8. Click OK


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Tweak #6: For a Safer, faster XP Close Unwanted Services

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To disable unneeded startup services for a safer, faster XP, use the “Services” Admin Tool (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services). If you are a single user of a non-networked machine, you can disable the following items, with no ill effect.

Alerter
Clipbook
Computer Browser
Fast User Switching
Human Interface Access Devices
Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down)
Messenger
Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain)
Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security)
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security)
Remote Procedure Call Locator
Remote Registry (disabled for extra security)
Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security)
Server
SSDP Discovery Service (this is for the utterly pointless “Universal P’n’P”, & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open)
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telnet (disabled for extra security)
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Upload Manager
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks)
Workstation


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Tweak #7: Win XP Won’t Completely Shutdown

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1) Goto Control Panel, then goto Power Options.
2) Click on the APM Tab, then check the “Enable Advanced Power Management support.”
3) Shut down your PC. It should now successfully complete the Shut Down process.


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Tweak #8: Windows Help and Support Error

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If you get an error Windows cannot find HELPCTR.EXE, it may be that a registry entry has gotten corrupted.

1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\HELPCTR.EXE
3. If the key isn’t there, right click and create a new key HELPCTR.EXE
4. It should have a value of C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe
5. Reboot.


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Tweak #9: Boot Defragment

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A very important new feature in Microsoft Windows XP is the ability to do a boot defragment. This basically means that all boot files are placed next to each other on the disk drive to allow for faster booting. By default this option is enabled but some upgrade users have reported that it isn’t on their setup.

1) Start Regedit.
2) Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction
3) Select Enable from the list on the right.
4) Right on it and select Modify.
5) Change the value to Y to enable and N to disable.
6) Reboot your computer.


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Tweak #10: Remove the Recycle Bin from the Desktop

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If you don’t use the Recycle Bin to store deleted files , you can get rid of its desktop icon all together.

Start -> Run -> Cmd -> regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/explorer/Desktop/NameSpace

Click on the “Recycle Bin” string in the right hand pane. Hit Del, click OK.


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Tweak #11: IP address of your connection

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Go to start/run type ‘cmd’

After that type ‘ipconfig’

Add the ‘/all’ switch for more info.


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Tweak #12: Get rid of Windows Messenger

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Start->Run->”gpedit.msc””
-Computer Configuration
-Administrative Templates
-Windows Components
-Windows Messenger

Here you can enable
“Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run”
and
“Do not automatically start Windows Messenger initially”


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Tweak #13 Remove Shared Documents from My Computer

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Start -> Run -> Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Create a new DWORD value [ Right-click -> New ], or modify the existing value, called “NoSharedDocuments” and set it according to the value data below.

(0 = default, 1 = enable restriction)

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


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Tweak #14 Remove the Minimize, Maximize and Close Tooltips

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Start -> Run -> Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Create a new String value [ Right-click -> New ], or modify the existing value, called “MinMaxClose” and set it according to the value data below.

(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


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Tweak #15 Remove My Computer from the Desktop and Start Menu

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Start -> Run -> Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum

Create a new DWORD value [ Right-click -> New ], or modify the existing value, called “{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}” and set it according to the value data below.

(0 = show, 1 = remove)

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


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Tweak #16 Remove Username from the Start Menu

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Create a new DWORD value [ Right-click -> New ], or modify the existing value, called “NoUserNameInStartMenu” and set it according to the value data below.

(0 = display username, 1 = hide username)

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


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Tweak #17: Run Commands

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compmgmt.msc - Computer management
devmgmt.msc - Device manager
diskmgmt.msc - Disk management
dfrg.msc - Disk defrag
eventvwr.msc - Event viewer
fsmgmt.msc - Shared folders
gpedit.msc - Group policies
lusrmgr.msc - Local users and groups
perfmon.msc - Performance monitor
rsop.msc - Resultant set of policies
secpol.msc - Local security settings
services.msc - Various Services
msconfig - System Configuration Utility
regedit - Registry Editor
msinfo32 - System Information
sysedit - System Edit
win.ini - windows loading information(also system.ini)
winver - Shows current version of windows
mailto: - Opens default email client
command - Opens command prompt


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Tweak #18: Run Commands to access the control panel

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appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs
control admintools - Adminastrative Tools
control color - The Display with the appearance tab open
control date/time - Date and Time properties
control folders - Folder Options
control fonts - Fonts Folder
control infrared - Infrared folder if available
control netconnections - Network and Dial-up Connections window
control netware - Netware window if installed and available
control panel - Control Panle
control printers - Printers Folder control printers
control schedtasks - Schedule tasks window
ccontrol telephony - Location information window
control userpasswords - User Accounts
desk.cpl - Display Properties
findfast.cpl - FindFast control
firewall.cpl - Windows Firewall
Hdwwiz.cpl - Add Hardware Wizard
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
intl.cpl - Regional and Language Options
joy.cpl - Game Controls
jpicpl32.cpl - Java Control Panle
main.cpl keyboard - keyboard Keyboard Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
mlcfg32.cpl - Mail and Fax
mmsys.cpl - Multimedia Properties
mmsys.cpl sounds - Sound Properties
ncpa.cpl - NetWork Connections
netcpl.cpl - Network Properties
netsetup.cpl - Network Setup Wizard
nusrmgr.cpl - User Accounts
odbccp32.cpl - ODBC Data Source Administrator
Powercfg.cpl - Power Options
password.cpl - Password Properties control
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
Telephon.cpl - Telephone Controls
timedate.cpl - Date/Time Properties
wscui.cpl - Windows Security Center
Wuaucpl.cpl - Windows Auto Updater


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Tweak #19: Command Prompt

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ANSI.SYS - Defines functions that change display graphics, control cursor movement, and reassign keys.
APPEND - Causes MS-DOS to look in other directories when editing a file or running a command.
ARP - Displays, adds, and removes arp information from network devices.
ASSIGN - Assign a drive letter to an alternate letter.
ASSOC - View the file associations.
AT - Schedule a time to execute commands or programs.
ATMADM - Lists connections and addresses seen by Windows ATM call manager.
ATTRIB - Display and change file attributes.

BATCH - Recovery console command that executes a series of commands in a file.
BACKUP - Enables users to backup their data on their computer.
BOOTCFG - Recovery console command that allows a user to view, modify, and rebuild the boot.ini
BREAK - Enable / disable CTRL + C feature.

CACLS - View and modify file ACL’s.
CALL - Calls a batch file from another batch file.
CD - Changes directories.
CHCP - Supplement the International keyboard and character set information.
CHDIR - Changes directories.
CHKDSK - Check the hard disk drive running FAT for errors.
CHKNTFS - Check the hard disk drive running NTFS for errors.
CHOICE - Specify a listing of multiple options within a batch file.
CLS - Clears the screen.
CMD - Opens the command interpreter.
COLOR - Easily change the foreground and background color of the MS-DOS window.
COMMAND - Opens the command interpreter.
COMP - Compares files.
COMPACT - Compresses and uncompress files.
CONTROL - Open control panel icons from the MS-DOS prompt.
CONVERT - Convert FAT to NTFS.
COPY - Copy one or more files to an alternate location.
CTTY - Change the computers input/output devices.

DATE - View or change the systems date.
DEBUG - Debug utility to create assembly programs to modify hardware settings.
DEFRAG - Re-arrange the hard disk drive to help with loading programs.
DEL - Deletes one or more files.
DELETE - Recovery console command that deletes a file.
DELTREE - Deletes one or more files and/or directories.
DIR - List the contents of one or more directory.
DISABLE - Recovery console command that disables Windows system services or drivers.
DISKCOMP - Compare a disk with another disk.
DISKCOPY - Copy the contents of one disk and place them on another disk.
DISKPART - used to delete and create partitions.
DOSKEY - Command to view and execute commands that have been run in the past.
DOSSHELL - A GUI to help with early MS-DOS users.
DRIVPARM - Enables overwrite of original device drivers.

ECHO - Displays messages and enables and disables echo.
EDIT - View and edit files.
EDLIN - View and edit files.
EMM386 - Load extended Memory Manager.
ENABLE - Recovery console command to enable a disable service or driver.
ENDLOCAL - Stops the localization of the environment changes enabled by the setlocal command.
ERASE - Erase files from computer.
EXIT - Exit from the command interpreter.
EXPAND - Expand a Microsoft Windows file back to it’s original format.
EXTRACT - Extract files from the Microsoft Windows cabinets.

FASTHELP - Displays a listing of MS-DOS commands and information about them.
FC - Compare files.
FDISK - Utility used to create partitions on the hard disk drive.
FIND - Search for text within a file.
FINDSTR - Searches for a string of text within a file.
FIXBOOT - Writes a new boot sector.
FIXMBR - Writes a new boot record to a disk drive.
FOR - Boolean used in batch files.
FORMAT - Command to erase and prepare a disk drive.
FTP - Command to connect and operate on a FTP server.
FTYPE - Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations.

GOTO - Movesa batch file to a specific label or location.
GRAFTABL - Show extended characters in graphics mode.

HELP - Display a listing of commands and brief explanation.
HOSTNAME -Display the hostname of the machine.

IF - Allows for batch files to perform conditional processing.
IFSHLP.SYS - 32-bit file manager.
IPCONFIG - Network command to view network adapter settings and assigned values.

KEYB - Change layout of keyboard.

LABEL - Change the label of a disk drive.
LH - Load a device driver in to high memory.
LISTSVC - Recovery console command that displays the services and drivers.
LOADFIX - Load a program above the first 64k.
LOADHIGH - Load a device driver in to high memory.
LOCK - Lock the hard disk drive.
LOGON - Recovery console command to list installations and enable administrator login.

MAP - Displays the device name of a drive.
MD - Command to create a new directory.
MEM - Display memory on system.
MKDIR - Command to create a new directory.
MODE - Modify the port or display settings.
MORE - Display one page at a time.
MOVE - Move one or more files from one directory to another directory.
MSAV - Early Microsoft Virus scanner.
MSBACKUP -MS-DOS application that enables users to backup their data on their computer.
MSD - Diagnostics utility.
MSCDEX - Utility used to load and provide access to the CD-ROM.
MWBACKUP - MS-DOS application that enables users to backup their data on their computer.

NBTSTAT - Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT
NET - Update, fix, or view the network or network settings
NETSH - Configure dynamic and static network information from MS-DOS.
NETSTAT - Display the TCP/IP network protocol statistics and information.
NLSFUNC - Load country specific information.
NSLOOKUP - Look up an IP address of a domain or host on a network.

PATH - View and modify the computers path location.
PATHPING - View and locate locations of network latency.
PAUSE - Command used in batch files to stop the processing of a command.
PING - Test / send information to another network computer or network device.
POPD - Changes to the directory or network path stored by the pushd command.
POWER - Conserve power with computer portables.
PRINT - Prints data to a printer port.
PROMPT - View and change the MS-DOS prompt.
PUSHD - Stores a directory or network path in memory so it can be returned to at any time.

QBASIC - Open the QBasic.

RD - Removes an empty directory.
REN - Renames a file or directory.
RENAME - Renames a file or directory.
RMDIR - Removes an empty directory.
ROUTE - View and configure windows network route tables.
RUNAS - Enables a user to execute a program on another computer.

SCANDISK - Run the scandisk utility.
SCANREG - Scan registry and recover registry from errors.
SET - Change one variable or string to another.
SETLOCAL - Enables local environments to be changed without affecting anything else.
SETVER - Change MS-DOS version to trick older MS-DOS programs.
SFC - Scans and replaces any Microsoft Windows file on the computer and replaces any changed file with the correct version
SHARE - Installs support for file sharing and locking capabilities.
SHIFT - Changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch program.
SHUTDOWN - Shutdown the computer from the MS-DOS prompt.
SMARTDRV - Create a disk cache in conventional memory or extended memory.
SORT - Sorts the input and displays the output to the screen.
START - Start a separate window in Windows from the MS-DOS prompt.
SUBST - Substitute a folder on your computer for another drive letter.
SWITCHES - Remove add functions from MS-DOS.
SYS - Transfer system files to disk drive.
SYSTEMINFO - Displays complete system information for Microsoft Windows XP Professional computers.
SYSTEMROOT - The systemroot command is a recovery console command that sets the current directory as the system root directory.

TELNET - Telnet to another computer / device from the prompt.
TIME - View or modify the system time.
TITLE - Change the title of their MS-DOS window.
TRACERT - Visually view a network packets route across a network.
TREE - View a visual tree of the hard disk drive.
TYPE - Display the contents of a file.

UNDELETE - Undelete a file that has been deleted.
UNFORMAT - Unformat a hard disk drive.
UNLOCK - Unlock a disk drive.

VER Display - the version information.
VERIFY - Enables or disables the feature to determine if files have been written properly.
VOL - Displays the volume information about the designated drive.

XCOPY - Copy multiple files, directories, and/or drives from one location to another.


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Tweak #20: Windows XP Shortcuts

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ALT+- (ALT+hyphen) - Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window’s System menu
ALT+ENTER - View properties for the selected item
ALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order they were opened
ALT+F4 - Close the active item, or quit the active program
ALT+SPACEBAR -Display the System menu for the active window
ALT+TAB - Switch between open items
ALT+Underlined letter - Display the corresponding menu
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
CTRL+A -Select all
CTRL+B - Bold
CTRL+C - Copy
CTRL+I - Italics
CTRL+O - Open an item
CTRL+U - Underline
CTRL+V - Paste
CTRL+X - Cut
CTRL+Z - Undo
CTRL+F4 - Close the active document
CTRL while dragging - Copy selected item
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging - Create shortcut to 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
SHIFT+DELETE - Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
ESC - Cancel the current task
F1 - Displays Help
F2 - Rename selected item
F3 - Search for a file or folder
F4 - Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
F5 - Refresh the active window
F6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F10 - Activate the menu bar in the active program
SHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu
SHIFT+CTRL+ESC - Launches Task Manager
SHIFT when you insert a CD - Prevent the CD from automatically playing
WIN - Display or hide the Start menu
WIN+BREAK - Display the System Properties dialog box
WIN+D - Minimizes all Windows and shows the Desktop
WIN+E - Open Windows Explorer
WIN+F - Search for a file or folder
WIN+F+CTRL - Search for computers
WIN+L - Locks the desktop
WIN+M - Minimize or restore all windows
WIN+R - Open the Run dialog box
WIN+TAB - Switch between open items


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Tweak #21: Windows Explorer Shortcuts

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ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the current window’s system menu
SHIFT+F10 - Display the item’s context menu
CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu
ALT+TAB - Switch to the window you last used
ALT+F4 - Close the current window or quit
CTRL+A - Select all items
CTRL+X - Cut selected item(s)
CTRL+C - Copy selected item(s)
CTRL+V - Paste item(s)
CTRL+Z - Undo last action
CTRL+(+) - Automatically resize the columns in the right hand pane
TAB - Move forward through options
ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Move forward to a previous view
ALT+LEFT ARROW - Move backward to a previous view
SHIFT+DELETE - Delete an item immediately
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up
ALT+ENTER - View an item’s properties
F10 - Activate the menu bar in programs
F6 - Switch between left and right panes
F5 - Refresh window contents
F3 - Display Find application
F2 - Rename selected itemhttp


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Tweak #22: Internet Explorer Shortcuts

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CTRL+A - Select all items on the current page
CTRL+D - Add the current page to your Favorites
CTRL+E - Open the Search bar
CTRL+F - Find on this page
CTRL+H - Open the History bar
CTRL+I - Open the Favorites bar
CTRL+N - Open a new window
CTRL+O - Go to a new location
CTRL+P - Print the current page or active frame
CTRL+S - Save the current page
CTRL+W - Close current browser window
CTRL+ENTER - Adds the http://www -. (url) .com
SHIFT+CLICK - Open link in new window
BACKSPACE - Go to the previous page
ALT+HOME - Go to your Home page
HOME - Move to the beginning of a document
TAB - Move forward through items on a page
END - Move to the end of a document
ESC - Stop downloading a page
F11 - Toggle full-screen view
F5 - Refresh the current page
F4 - Display list of typed addresses
F6 - Change Address bar and page focus
ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Go to the next page
SHIFT+CTRL+TAB - Move back between frames
SHIFT+F10 - Display a shortcut menu for a link
SHIFT+TAB - Move back through the items on a page
CTRL+TAB - Move forward between frames
CTRL+C - Copy selected items to the clipboard
CTRL+V - Insert contents of the clipboard
ENTER - Activate a selected link
HOME- Move to the beginning of a document
END - Move to the end of a document
F1 - Display Internet Explorer Help


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