Below is a listing of all the more commonly used Windows shortcut keys for every version of Microsoft Windows. If you are looking for shortcut keys related to programs in Windows, like Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet browsers, and others, see our 'Other computer keyboard shortcuts' page linked below.
- Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems Installation
- Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems Inc
- Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems System
- Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems Diagram
General Windows keyboard shortcuts
Context Switch in OS Context Switching is a cost and time saving measure performed by the CPU that is handing task 1 and has to stop executing this task to priority execute another task 2. To do this effectively, the system stores the initial task in its processed form so that when this task is resumed, it can be loaded and resumed from the. I tried the above watch command but the output is just 1 (for voluntary and involuntary context switch). My linux kernal version is 2.6.39-400.214.4.el6uek.x8664. Is the output dependant on the linux version? Microsoft Shows How the Xbox Series X Can Boost Frame Rates on Older Xbox Games. The company showed a video of a Xbox Series S console doubling the frame rates on Fallout 4 to 60fps for buttery.
The ability to do context switching is an essential component for any multitasking OS. The same type of things that cause context switching in Linux would cause context switching in Windows as well. All a high thread count means is that the CPU will be forced to switch contexts more often to fulfill the processing requirements of the scheduler. The only problem I found in this approach was when I increase the scale and layout size of the text in Windows 10 to more than 100%. To make sure you know the exact screen resolution of your system, you should follow the steps below: Go to Windows Settings (Windows key + i) – System – Display.
Alt+Tab
Switch between open applications in all versions of Windows. Reverse the direction by pressing Alt+Shift+Tab at the same time.
Ctrl+Tab
![Contexts 3 5 3 – fast window switcher systems inc Contexts 3 5 3 – fast window switcher systems inc](https://www.amsoil.com/medias/gbs.jpg?context=bWFzdGVyfGltYWdlc3w0OTk2NnxpbWFnZS9qcGVnfGltYWdlcy9oMzYvaDdhLzg3OTg1MTg5NjgzNTAuanBnfGFiNDdlZTk1OTA3NGY5MDVlZjQyNWY0M2IzMTA1Zjg2NjU4YmQ0YjFjZWU5Y2I0YWQ2MGVhNjZkMzgxNDA4MWU)
Switches between program groups, tabs, or document windows in applications that support this feature. Reverse the direction by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Tab at the same time.
Alt+double-click
In Windows 95 or later, display the properties of the object you double-click. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.
Alt+Print Screen
Create a screenshot only for the active program window in all versions of Windows. For example, if you opened the calculator and pressed these shortcut keys, only the calculator window would be created as a screenshot. If the Print Screen key is pressed alone, the whole screen will be made into a screenshot.
Ctrl+Alt+Del
Open the Windows option screen for locking computer, switching user, Task Manager, etc. in later versions of Windows. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del multiple times reboots the computer.
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Immediately bring up the Windows Task Manager in Windows 2000 and later.
Ctrl+Esc
Open the Windows Start menu in most versions of Windows. In Windows 8, this opens the Start screen and in Windows 3.x, this opens the Task Manager.
Alt+Esc
Switch between open applications on Taskbar in Windows 95 and later.
Alt+Spacebar
Drops down the window control menu for the currently open Windows program in Windows 95 and later.
Alt+Enter
Opens properties window of selected icon or program in Windows 95 and later.
Shift+Del
Permanently delete any file or another object without throwing it into the Recycle Bin in Windows 95 and later.
Hold down the Shift key
When putting in an audio or data CD that uses Autoplay, holding down the Shift key prevents that CD from playing.
Windows function key shortcuts
Below is a listing of keyboard shortcuts that use the keyboard function keys. See our what are F1 through F12 keys page for a full listing of what function keys do with all other programs.
F1
Activates help for current open application. If you're at the Windows desktop, this activates the help for Windows.
F2
Renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
F3
Starts find or search when at the Windows desktop in all versions of Windows.
F4
In Windows 95 and later, F4 opens the drive selection or address bar when browsing files in Windows Explorer.
- Pressing Alt+F4 closes the current open program window without a prompt in all versions of Windows.
- Pressing Ctrl+F4 closes the open window in the current active window in Microsoft Windows. Only works in programs that support multiple windows or tabs in the same program window.
F6
While in Windows Explorer, F6 moves the cursor to different Windows Explorer pane or in Windows 7 browse available drives.
F8
Pressing F8 over and over as the computer is booting starts the computer in Safe Mode.
F10
Activates the file menu bar in all versions of Windows.
- Simulates a right-click on selected item, which is useful if right-click is difficult or impossible using the mouse.
Windows keyboard key shortcuts
Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running Microsoft Windows 95 or later and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by 'WINKEY.' Because not all these shortcuts work in every version of Windows, we've mentioned which versions of Windows support each shortcut key combination.
All versions of Windows
WINKEY
Pressing the Windows key alone opens or hides the Windows Start menu. In Windows 8, this opens or hides the Start screen.
WINKEY+F1
Open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
WINKEY+Pause / Break key
Open the System Properties window.
WINKEY+D
Display and hide the Windows desktop.
WINKEY+E
Open Microsoft Windows Explorer.
WINKEY+F
Display the Windows Search or Find feature.
WINKEY+Ctrl+F
Display the search for computers window.
WINKEY+L
Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only).
WINKEY+M
Minimizes all windows.
WINKEY+Shift+M
Undo the minimize done by WINKEY+M and WINKEY+D.
WINKEY+R
Open the run window.
WINKEY+U
Open Utility Manager or the Ease of Access Center.
Windows XP
WINKEY+Tab
Cycle through open programs on the Taskbar.
Windows 7 and 8
WINKEY+1-0
Pressing the Windows key and any top row number key from 1 to 0 opens the program corresponding to the number of the program icon on the Taskbar. For example, if the first icon on the Taskbar is Internet Explorer, pressing WINKEY+1 would open that program or switch to it if already open.
WINKEY+(Plus (+) or Minus (-))
Open Windows Magnifier and zoom in with the plus symbol (+) and zoom out with the minus symbol (-).
- Press the WINKEY+ESC to close the Magnifier.
WINKEY+Home
Minimize all windows except the active window.
WINKEY+P
Change between the monitor and projection display types or how second screen displays computer screen.
WINKEY+T
Set the focus on the Taskbar icons.
WINKEY+Left arrow
Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing.
WINKEY+Right arrow
Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing.
WINKEY+Up arrow
When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size.
WINKEY+Down arrow
Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size.
Windows 8
WINKEY+,
Peek at the Windows desktop.
WINKEY+.
Snap a Windows App to the sides of the screen. Pressing it multiple times switches between the right and left side of the screen or unsnap the app.
WINKEY+Enter
Open Windows Narrator.
WINKEY+C
Open the Charms.
WINKEY+G
Cycle through desktop gadgets.
WINKEY+H
Open Share in Charms.
WINKEY+I
Open the Settings in Charms.
WINKEY+J
Switch between snapped apps.
WINKEY+K
Open Devices in Charms.
WINKEY+O
Lock the screen orientation.
WINKEY+X
Open the Power User Menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want to use such as Device Manager, Control Panel, Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and much more.
Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems Installation
Windows 10
WINKEY+,
Peek at the Windows desktop.
WINKEY+A
Open the Windows 10 Action Center.
Open the Game bar. Only works if a game is running.
WINKEY+I
Open the Windows 10 Settings window.
WINKEY+S
Open the Windows Search utility.
WINKEY+X
Open the Power User Menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want to use such as Device Manager, Control Panel, Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and much more.
Additional information
What is Context Switching in Operating System?
In the Operating System, there are cases when you have to bring back the process that is in the running state to some other state like ready state or wait/block state. If the running process wants to perform some I/O operation, then you have to remove the process from the running state and then put the process in the I/O queue. Sometimes, the process might be using a round-robin scheduling algorithm where after every fixed time quantum, the process has to come back to the ready state from the running state. So, these process switchings are done with the help of Context Switching. In this blog, we will learn about the concept of Context Switching in the Operating System and we will also learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Context Switching. So, let's get started.
What is Context Switching?
A context switching is a process that involves switching of the CPU from one process or task to another. In this phenomenon, the execution of the process that is present in the running state is suspended by the kernel and another process that is present in the ready state is executed by the CPU.
It is one of the essential features of the multitasking operating system. The processes are switched so fastly that it gives an illusion to the user that all the processes are being executed at the same time.
Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems Inc
But the context switching process involved a number of steps that need to be followed. You can't directly switch a process from the running state to the ready state. You have to save the context of that process. If you are not saving the context of any process P then after some time, when the process P comes in the CPU for execution again, then the process will start executing from starting. But in reality, it should continue from that point where it left the CPU in its previous execution. So, the context of the process should be saved before putting any other process in the running state.
A context is the contents of a CPU's registers and program counter at any point in time. Context switching can happen due to the following reasons:
Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems System
- When a process of high priority comes in the ready state. In this case, the execution of the running process should be stopped and the higher priority process should be given the CPU for execution.
- When an interruption occurs then the process in the running state should be stopped and the CPU should handle the interrupt before doing something else.
- When a transition between the user mode and kernel mode is required then you have to perform the context switching.
Contexts 3 5 3 – Fast Window Switcher Systems Diagram
Steps involved in Context Switching
The process of context switching involves a number of steps. The following diagram depicts the process of context switching between the two processes P1 and P2.
In the above figure, you can see that initially, the process P1 is in the running state and the process P2 is in the ready state. Now, when some interruption occurs then you have to switch the process P1 from running to the ready state after saving the context and the process P2 from ready to running state. The following steps will be performed:
- Firstly, the context of the process P1 i.e. the process present in the running state will be saved in the Process Control Block of process P1 i.e. PCB1.
- Now, you have to move the PCB1 to the relevant queue i.e. ready queue, I/O queue, waiting queue, etc.
- From the ready state, select the new process that is to be executed i.e. the process P2.
- Now, update the Process Control Block of process P2 i.e. PCB2 by setting the process state to running. If the process P2 was earlier executed by the CPU, then you can get the position of last executed instruction so that you can resume the execution of P2.
- Similarly, if you want to execute the process P1 again, then you have to follow the same steps as mentioned above(from step 1 to 4).
For context switching to happen, two processes are at least required in general, and in the case of the round-robin algorithm, you can perform context switching with the help of one process only.
The time involved in the context switching of one process by other is called the Context Switching Time.
Advantage of Context Switching
Context switching is used to achieve multitasking i.e. multiprogramming with time-sharing(learn more about multitasking from here). Multitasking gives an illusion to the users that more than one process are being executed at the same time. But in reality, only one task is being executed at a particular instant of time by a processor. Here, the context switching is so fast that the user feels that the CPU is executing more than one task at the same time.
The disadvantage of Context Switching
The disadvantage of context switching is that it requires some time for context switching i.e. the context switching time. Time is required to save the context of one process that is in the running state and then getting the context of another process that is about to come in the running state. During that time, there is no useful work done by the CPU from the user perspective. So, context switching is pure overhead in this condition.
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