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Handy Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are keyboard shortcuts for use with Internet Explorer.  Most work on all versions since 4.01.  Not an exhustive list, just those that I use often.

Space
This scrolls downward a page at a time.  Note that oftentimes a form control or a ActiveX object (like Flash) can have the focus and consume the keystroke.

ALT+Left Arrow and ALT+Right Arrow
Move backwards and forwards.  Same as pressing the Back and Forward toolbar buttons.  Very handy

CTRL+D
Add the current page to Favorites without prompting

ALT+D
Move focus to the Address bar.  This is handy when you have a search toolbar, as you can then press TAB and have the focus placed in the search text box.

ALT+HOME
Go to your home page

CTRL+N
Open a new browser window

F11
Switch to full-screen mode.  Great when needing to maximize the viewing area

11 Comments

  • How about Backspace to go back? It's a little easier than Alt+Left... And Ctrl+F is handy when you're looking for something. F4 is nice for people who use the address history. F5 refreshes the current document.

  • ...and Shift-Space scrolls up a page...

  • I didn't include BACKSPACE because oftentimes focus is contained in a control (text box, combo box, etc.) and the keystroke is ignored. ALT+LEFT ARROW is captured at a higher level and will work in all cases. Thanks for the other suggestions!

  • Oops...forgot to add another two!



    You mention Alt-D to move focus to the address bar, well - F6 key is only one key stroke. ;-)



    And to move focus to address bar and open up the MRU list, press F4.

  • Charles, so you don't mention backspace because of edit boxes having focus yet you do mention space to page down. I'm missing the logic behind that...

  • Logic? We don't need no stinking logic! You're right, it's the same problem for both BACKSPACE and SPACE. Focus issues in IE are becoming commonplace. I've noticed that the wheel won't function until I've clicked elsewhere on the page to force focus from a ActiveX control like Flash. The whole concept of the mouse wheel not scrolling unless the window had focus is bogus to begin with. It becomes acute with IE because the main IE window has focus. The user doesn't realize that there are other windows within the one with a border.

  • Well, ActiveX controls can be coded windowless, so that's just the control's author's laziness, but why are list and combo boxes rendered as child windows is beyond me... You can't submit a form using Enter when the focus is in one of those because they eat the event.

  • So how do I disable the "CTRL-D" adds to the favorite? I often find myself with IE having the focus but I think I'm looking at an email message I want to delete....



  • No way that I know of to disable CTRL+D. I checked to see if their was a Group Policy restriction, but there appears not to be.

  • I have a quick question if anyone can assist.

    I have a user, when he clicks on "backspace" Internet explorer opens up.

    and the URL is a yahoo chat site.

    How can this be?

    I have checked if anything has been installed and searched in regedit for anything similar...but no luck..

    Updated our virus def's and scan - none found..

    Is there somthing iam overlooking?

  • Clicks on "backspace"? That doesn't make sense. What exactly is the user clicking on. Does the user have the Yahoo toolbar installed? It sounds like the machine has be hit with one of the many rouge programs that invades all aspects of the computer and browser. E-mail me off-line if you'd like at charles@coppersoftware.com.

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