How to Use the Windows Shortcut Alt + Underline GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows 38 38 people found this article helpful

How to Use the Windows Keyboard Shortcut Alt + Underline

Navigate menus in Windows without using your mouse

By Keith Ward Keith Ward Writer Towson University Keith Ward is a former Lifewire writer with over 25 years' experience writing about Microsoft products and creating and Windows tutorials. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 7, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Activate: Open Start menu > select Settings > Ease of Access > select Keyboard under Interaction.Next: Turn on Underline access keys when available > close window to save changes.Use: Hold Alt and press underlined letters for corresponding functions. This article explains how to use the Alt + Underline keyboard shortcut in Windows 7, 8, XP, 10, and Vista. Corbis via Getty Images / Getty Images

Activating Underlined Keys in Newer Windows Versions

If you're on an older version of Windows, this feature is automatic, but later versions don't have this feature on by default. Here's how to activate the feature if it isn't already on. Open the Start menu by clicking its icon or pressing the Windows key on your keyboard. Click the Settings icon. Click Ease of Access. Scroll down to the Interaction heading and select Keyboard. Under the Change how keyboard shortcuts work heading, click the switch below Underline access keys when available to turn it on. Close the window to save your changes. Now, keys you can use with the Alt key in menus will have underlines. Hold Alt plus the underlined letter to open them. Keep holding down Alt to keep making selections within menus. For example, hold Alt and press F to open a File menu. Keep holding Alt and press W to open a new window.

Modern Apps

More recent programs are doing away with the customary menu bar that we're used to seeing in Windows XP and earlier versions of Windows. Even some programs in Windows 7 have this more modern, menu-less look. Nevertheless, you can still use the Alt+letter shortcut in Windows 10. In many applications, the letters don't have underlines, but the feature still works the same way. Windows Store apps generally do not offer this feature. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make a Divide Sign on a Keyboard How to Properly Reboot (Restart) a Windows Computer How to Make an Arrow on a Keyboard What Version of Windows Do I Have? How to Open the Emoji Keyboard on a Mac How to Open an Elevated Command Prompt in Windows How to Make a Cent Sign on a Keyboard How to Open Disk Management From Command Prompt How to Use Problem Steps Recorder in Windows The Best Windows Keyboard Shortcuts in 2022 How to Disable Taskbar Button Grouping in Windows What Is the Control Panel in Windows? How to Get an Em Dash in Google Docs How to Use the F Keys on a Mac How to Open Command Prompt (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc.) How to Open Registry Editor in Windows Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies