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How to Use the Menu Key on a Windows Keyboard

Focus an item and press the Menu key to open its context menu. If the key is missing, use Shift+F10; navigate with the arrow keys and press Enter to choose.
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To open a context menu with the Menu key, first select or focus the item you want to act on, then press the key. Use the arrow keys to move through the menu and press Enter to choose a command. If your keyboard has no Menu key—or the app does not respond—press Shift+F10 instead.

What does the Menu key do?

The Menu key opens the context menu for the currently selected or focused item in applications that support it. A context menu contains commands related to that item, such as actions for a selected file or control. The key does not select an item for you, so make sure focus is on the target first.

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How to use the Menu key

  1. Focus the target. Use the keyboard to select the file, control, or other item whose commands you need.
  2. Open its context menu. Press the Menu key once.
  3. Choose a command. Use the arrow keys to move through the menu, then press Enter to activate the highlighted option.
  4. Dismiss the menu if needed. Press Esc to close it without choosing a command.

Keyboard navigation and menu behavior can vary by application, so a particular app may respond differently.

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Where is the Menu key?

On a Windows keyboard that includes it, the Menu key is commonly between the right Alt and right Ctrl keys. Keyboard layouts differ, and some newer keyboards omit the key or use that position for another key.

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What if your keyboard has no Menu key?

With the intended item focused, press Shift+F10. Microsoft documents this as the shortcut for opening the context menu for a selected item, and its Word keyboard guidance also identifies it as an alternative to the Windows Menu key. It is the practical fallback when the dedicated key is missing. Shortcut behavior can still vary between applications.

Some newer Windows 11 keyboards have a Copilot key in place of the Context Menu key. Do not assume that the Copilot key opens a context menu or that it has a universal remapping: check your keyboard’s layout and the device’s current settings.

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Menu key, Shift+F10, and F10: what is the difference?

Key or shortcut Purpose Availability and behavior
Menu key Opens the context menu for the focused or selected item. Requires a keyboard with the dedicated key; application behavior may vary.
Shift+F10 Opens the context menu for the focused or selected item. Microsoft documents it as the alternative; shortcut behavior may vary by application.
F10 Activates the menu bar in the active app. Not the same as opening the selected item’s context menu.

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