1. Core Windows System Alt Shortcuts
Alt + Tab: Switch between running applications and browser windows.
Alt + F4: Close the active window (or prompt to shut down Windows if on desktop).
Alt + Space: Open the window system menu (Minimize, Maximize, Move, Size).
Alt + Left Arrow: Go back one page in File Explorer and web browsers.
Alt + Enter: View Properties of the selected file or folder in File Explorer.
Alt + Esc: Cycle through open windows in the direct sequence they were opened.
2. Numpad Alt Codes for Symbols
To insert symbols in any software (Notepad, Chrome, Word, Slack):
- Make sure NumLock is ON.
- Press and hold down the left Alt key.
- Type the numbers strictly on the dedicated 10-key numeric keypad.
- Release Alt. The character appears immediately!
Essential Alt codes: Alt + 0176 → °, Alt + 0169 → ©, Alt + 0128 → €, Alt + 0153 → ™.
3. Alt + X: The Microsoft Word Unicode Toggle
On laptops without a numeric keypad, the best way to type symbols in Word and WordPad is the Alt + X toggle:
Type the four-character hexadecimal codepoint (e.g. 20AC for Euro or 00B0 for Degree), then immediately press Alt + X. The 4 digits magically transform into the glyph!
4. Left Alt vs Right Alt (AltGr)
On international keyboards (UK, French, German, Spanish), the right Alt key is labeled AltGr (Alternate Graphic).
AltGr acts as a third-level shift key to type characters printed on the bottom-right corner of keycaps: e.g., AltGr + 4 produces € on UK keyboards.