Windows 7 / Getting Started

Windows Media Center keyboard shortcuts

You can access any feature in Windows Media Center using only the keyboard. In addition, Media Center provides a variety of keyboard shortcuts so that navigating with the keyboard is easier.

Use shortcuts for basic navigation

To do thisUse this key or keyboard shortcut
Open Media Center or return to the Media Center start screenWindows logo key+Alt+Enter
Accept a selectionEnter
Go back to the previous screenBackspace
Go to the first item in a listHome
Go to the last item in a listEnd
Move left, right, up, or downArrow keys
Go in or go out of full-screen modeAlt+Enter

Use shortcuts to control audio

To do thisUse this key or keyboard shortcut
Mute or unmute volumeF8
Turn down volumeF9
Turn up volumeF10
Go to the Music library page Ctrl+M
Play a songCtrl+Shift+P
Stop playing a songCtrl+Shift+S
Pause or resume a songCtrl+F
Go to the beginning of the current songCtrl+F
Skip to the next songCtrl+F
Fast forward a songCtrl+Shift+F
Rip a CDCtrl+R
Display the shortcut menuCtrl+D

Use shortcuts to watch and record TV

To do thisUse this key or keyboard shortcut
Go to Recorded TVCtrl+O
Go to the GuideCtrl+G
Go to live TVCtrl+T
Change the screen aspect ratio (zoom)Ctrl+Shift+Z
Record a TV showCtrl+R
Pause or resume live TV or recorded TVCtrl+P
Stop recording or stop playing a TV showCtrl+Shift+S
Resume playing a TV showCtrl+Shift+P
Rewind live TV or recorded TVCtrl+Shift+B
Fast forward live TV or recorded TVCtrl+Shift+F
Skip backCtrl+B
Skip forwardCtrl+F
Display the shortcut menuCtrl+D
Go to the next channelPage Up
Go to the previous channelPage Down

Use shortcuts to view pictures

To do thisUse this key or keyboard shortcut
Go to picturesCtrl+I
Zoom in on a pictureEnter
Play a slide showCtrl+Shift+P
Stop a slide showCtrl+Shift+S
Pause or resume a slide showCtrl+P
Skip back to the previous pictureUp Arrow or Left Arrow
Skip forward to the next pictureDown Arrow or Right Arrow
Display the shortcut menuCtrl+D

Use shortcuts to view pictures

To do thisUse this key or keyboard shortcut
Go to picturesCtrl+I
Zoom in on a pictureEnter
Play a slide showCtrl+Shift+P
Stop a slide showCtrl+Shift+S
Pause or resume a slide showCtrl+P
Skip back to the previous pictureUp Arrow or Left Arrow
Skip forward to the next pictureDown Arrow or Right Arrow
Display the shortcut menuCtrl+D

Use shortcuts to play videos

To do thisUse this key or keyboard shortcut
Go to VideosCtrl+E
Play a videoCtrl+Shift+P
Pause or resume a videoCtrl+P
Stop a videoCtrl+Shift+S
Rewind a videoCtrl+Shift+B
Fast forward a videoCtrl+Shift+F
Skip backCtrl+B
Skip forwardCtrl+F
Change the screen aspect ratio (zoom)Ctrl+Shift+Z

Use shortcuts to play videos

To do thisUse this key or keyboard shortcut
Go to the DVD menuCtrl+Shift+M
Play a DVDCtrl+Shift+P
Pause or resume a DVDCtrl+P
Stop a DVDCtrl+Shift+S
Rewind a DVDCtrl+Shift+B
Fast forward a DVDCtrl+Shift+F
Go to the previous chapterCtrl+B
Go to the next chapterCtrl+F
Change the screen aspect ratio (zoom)Ctrl+Shift+Z
Change the DVD audio selectionCtrl+Shift+A

Note: Some of the keyboard shortcuts listed here might not be available depending on your computer hardware or the type of media that you're playing. For example, you won't be able to show the Guide if you haven't set up a TV tuner.

[Previous] [Contents]

In this tutorial:

  1. Windows 7 Shortcut Keys
  2. Typing & editing the text using Keyboard
  3. Using keyboard shortcuts
  4. Using the keyboard extras
  5. Keyboard Shortcut Tips
  6. The Shortcuts Collection
  7. Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
  8. Keyboard shortcuts for MS Paint
  9. Windows Journal keyboard shortcuts
  10. Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts
  11. Windows Media Center keyboard shortcuts