For a particular file name or dialogue button it will have a faintly visible dashed-line rectangle to around the item to show it has the current focus. Otherwise, Windows provides a visual cue of where the focus is. Screen reading programs will read aloud the dialogue item you are currently focused on. Once you have landed on an area within the dialogue box, you may need to use the up, down, left, or right arrows to make a more specific choice. A Shift+Tab moves backwards in the navigation between those items. The Tab key will navigate through the various fields. The Open and Save dialogue boxes can be particularly intimidating to navigate by keyboard. Up and down arrow keys will move through those menus. Combining the Alt key and the underlined letter in those menu headings will open that menu. You can then navigate with the down-arrow.Īpplications that have met the Microsoft Windows accessibility standards follow a standard menu scheme with headings like File, Edit, View, and so on. If there are multiple menu items that begin with a particular letter, pressing that letter takes you to the first, top-most of those menu names. Pressing the “P” key takes you to the Program menu. Once you have arrived at the desired item, pressing the Enter key acts in the same way as a left-mouse click to make a choice.Īnother timesaver once the start menu is open is navigating by the first letter of the menu item. The Esc key allows you to go back one step in the navigation process. These submenus may also branch out further into other submenus. Those items with a submenu are visually indicated with a small black triangle/arrowhead. The up and down arrow keys allow you to move through the menu items. The keyboard combination Ctrl+Esc also brings up this menu. Many keyboards have a Windows key which will bring up the start menu.

Quick keys for windows 10