General Keyboard Shortcuts Collection on Windows Vista

These keyboard shortcuts are used for general purpose when you are working on desktop or when you are working within application programs.

List of General Keyboard Shortcuts:

Keyboard Shortcuts	Functions
CTRL+C	Copy the selected item.
CTRL+X	Cut the selected item.
CTRL+V	Paste the selected item.
CTRL+Z	Undo an action.
CTRL+A	Select all items in a document or window.
CTRL+F4	Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously).
CTRL+ESC	Open the Start menu.
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
CTRL+LEFT ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
CTRL+DOWN ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
CTRL+UP ARROW	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
CTRL+SHIFT with an arrow key	Select a block of text.
CTRL+ALT+TAB	Use the arrow keys to switch between open items.
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC	Open Task Manager.
CTRL+Windows button +TAB	Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D.
ALT+ENTER	Display properties for the selected item.
ALT+F4	Close the active item, or exit the active program.
ALT+SPACEBAR	Open the shortcut menu for the active window.
ALT+ESC	Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened.
ALT+TAB	Switch between open items.
ALT+UP ARROW	View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer.
ALT+underlined letter	Display the corresponding menu, or to perform the menu command (or other underlined command).
SHIFT+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
SHIFT+DELETE	Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first. (When deleting a file on Windows Explorer)
SHIFT with any arrow key	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document.
SHIFT when you insert a CD	Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
F2	Rename the selected item.
F3	Search for a file or folder.
F4	Display the Address bar list in 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.
LEFT ARROW	Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
RIGHT ARROW	Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
ESC	Cancel the current task.
DELETE	Delete the selected item.
Windows button +TAB	Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D.

Source: Windows Vista Documentation