Universal Design Symbol Using Shortcut Keys in the Start Menu


You start application programs, change your system configuration, search for files and receive help information from menu items located in the Start Menu. The following are keyboard commands that allow you to access items in the start menu using only the standard keyboard.

2 Links:

Open Start Menu
Selecting and Accessing Menu Items

Open Start Menu:

1 Step:
  1. Type the CONTROL + ESCape keys.
1 Step:
  1. Type the Window key.



4 ways to move between main menu items:

4 Steps:
  1. Type the Up or Down arrow key to highlight one menu item up or down.
  2. Type the first letter of menu item to highlight the first menu item that starts with that letter.
  3. Type the same letter more than once to highlight the next menu item that starts with that letter.
  4. Type the underlined letter of menu item to directly select that menu item.

1 Way of Accessing a Sub Menu:

2 Steps:
  1. From the main menu title move the highlight to the sub menu title by typing the right arrow key.
  2. Type the ENTER key to activate the selected sub menu item.

2 ways of leaving a Sub Menu:

2 Steps:
  1. Type the Left arrow key to return to the previous menu level.
  2. Type the ESCape key to also return to the previous menu level.

Example: Starting Microsoft Word

4 Steps:
  1. Type the CONTROL + ESCape keys or type the Window key to open start menu.
  2. Type the P key to open Programs sub menu.
  3. Type M as many times as you need to move the highlight to the Microsoft Word menu item.
  4. Type the ENTER key to start Microsoft Word.

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