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Most useful 100 Plus Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Knowing the most essential windows keyboard shortcuts can help to enhance your work performance by reducing the time to perform the tasks manually. The windows keyboard shortcuts let you perform tasks on your computer by using keys rather than clicking drop menus, thereby saving a significant amount of time and effort. In this post, I provide some of the most useful windows keyboard shortcuts that you should know alongside several important carry-overs you may remember from earlier versions of Windows. This comprehensive list includes the most useful keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks on Windows 10 a little faster.

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

This comprehensive list includes the most useful keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks on Windows 10 a little faster.

Related Articles
  • Essential shortcuts
  • Desktop shortcuts
  • File Explorer shortcuts
  • Command Prompt shortcuts
  • Windows key shortcuts

Essential Shortcuts

These are the essential windows keyboard shortcuts that every windows user should know.

Ctrl + ASelect all content.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)Copy selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + XCut selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)Paste content from clipboard.
Ctrl + ZUndo an action, including undelete files (limited).
Ctrl + YRedo an action.
Ctrl + Shift + NCreate new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
Alt + F4Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.)
Ctrl + D (Del)Delete selected item to the Recycle Bin.
Shift + DeleteDelete selected item permanently skipping Recycle Bin.
F2Rename selected item.
ESCClose current task.
Alt + TabSwitch between open apps.
PrtScnTake screenshot and stores it in clipboard.
Windows key + IOpen Settings app.
Windows key + EOpen File Explorer.
Windows key + AOpen Action center.
Windows key + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
Windows key + LLock device.
Windows key + VOpen Clipboard bin.
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)Open emoji panel.
Windows key + PrtScnCapture full screenshot in the “Screenshots” folder.
Windows key + Shift + SCapture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch.
Windows key + Left arrow keySnap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow keySnap app or window right.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Desktop Shortcuts

These are the essential windows keyboard shortcuts for desktop.

Windows key (or Ctrl + Esc)Open Start menu.
Ctrl + Arrow keysChange Start menu size.
Ctrl + Shift + EscOpen Task Manager.
Ctrl + ShiftSwitch keyboard layout.
Alt + F4Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.)
Ctrl + F5 (or Ctrl + R)Refresh current window.
Ctrl + Alt + TabView open apps.
Ctrl + Arrow keys (to select) + SpacebarSelect multiple items on desktop or File Explorer.
Alt + Underlined letterRuns command for the underlined letter in apps.
Alt + TabSwitch between open apps while pressing Tab multiple times.
Alt + Left arrow keyGo back.
Alt + Right arrow keyGo forward.
Alt + Page UpMove up one screen.
Alt + Page downMove down one screen.
Alt + EscCycle through open windows.
Alt + SpacebarOpen context menu for the active window.
Alt + F8Reveals typed password in Sign-in screen.
Shift + Click app buttonOpen another instance of an app from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Shift + Click app buttonRun app as administrator from the taskbar.
Shift + Right-click app buttonShow window menu for the app from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Click a grouped app buttonCycle through windows in the group from the taskbar.
Shift + Right-click grouped app buttonShow window menu for the group from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Left arrow keyMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
Ctrl + Right arrow keyMove the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
Ctrl + Up arrow keyMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Down arrow keyMove the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keySelect block of text.
Ctrl + SpacebarEnable or disable Chinese IME.
Shift + F10Open context menu for selected item.
F10Enable app menu bar.
Shift + Arrow keysSelect multiple items.
Windows key + XOpen Quick Link menu.
Windows key + Number (0-9)Open app in number position from the taskbar.
Windows key + TCycle through apps in the taskbar.
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9)Open Jump List of the app in number position from the taskbar.
Windows key + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
Windows key + MMinimize all windows.
Windows key + Shift + MRestore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows key + HomeMinimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow keyStretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow keyMaximize or minimize active desktop windows vertically while maintaining width.
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow keyMove active window to monitor on the left.
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow keyMove active window to monitor on the right.
Windows key + Left arrow keySnap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow keySnap app or window right.
Windows key + S ( or Q)Open Search.
Windows key + Alt + DOpen date and time in the taskbar.
Windows key + TabOpen Task View.
Windows key + Ctrl + DCreate new virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4Close active virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrowSwitch to the virtual desktop on the right.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrowSwitch to the virtual desktop on the left.
Windows key + POpen Project settings.
Windows key + AOpen Action center.
Windows key + IOpen Settings app.
BackspaceReturn to Settings app home page.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

File Explorer Shortcuts

When exploring files in your computer, these windows keyboard shortcuts can be very useful.

Windows key + EOpen File Explorer.
Alt + DSelect address bar.
Ctrl + E (or F)Select search box.
Ctrl + NOpen new window.
Ctrl + WClose active window.
Ctrl + F (or F3)Start search.
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheelChange view file and folder.
Ctrl + Shift + EExpands all folders from the tree in the navigation pane.
Ctrl + Shift + NCreate new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
Ctrl + LFocus on the address bar.
Ctrl + Shift + Number (1-8)Changes folder view.
Alt + PDisplay preview panel.
Alt + EnterOpen Properties settings for the selected item.
Alt + Right arrow keyView next folder.
Alt + Left arrow key (or Backspace)View previous folder.
Alt + Up arrowMove up a level in the folder path.
F11Switch active window full-screen mode.
F5Refresh the instance of File Explorer.
F2Rename selected item.
F4Switch focus to address bar.
F5Refresh File Explorer’s current view.
F6Cycle through elements on the screen.
HomeScroll to top of the window.
EndScroll to bottom of window.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Command Prompt Shortcuts

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Ctrl + ASelect all content of the current line.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)Copy selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)Paste content from clipboard.
Ctrl + MStarts mark mode.
Ctrl + Up arrow keyMove screen up one line.
Ctrl + Down arrow keyMove screen down one line.
Ctrl + FOpen search for Command Prompt.
Left or right arrow keysMove cursor left or right in the current line.
Up or down arrow keysCycle through command history of the current session.
Page upMove cursor one page up.
Page downMove cursor one page down.
Ctrl + HomeScroll to top of the console.
Ctrl + EndScroll to the bottom of the console.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows Key Shortcuts

Using the Windows key combined with other keys, you can perform many useful tasks, such as launch Settings, File Explorer, Run command, apps pinned in the taskbar, or you can open specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. You can also accomplish tasks like controlling windows, virtual desktops, taking screenshots, locking your device, and a lot more.

Windows keyOpen Start menu.
Windows key + AOpen Action center.
Windows key + S ( or Q)Open Search.
Windows key + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
Windows key + LLocks computer.
Windows key + MMinimize all windows.
Windows key + BSet focus notification area in the taskbar.
Windows key + CLaunch Cortana app.
Windows key + FLaunch Feedback Hub app.
Windows key + GLaunch Game bar app.
Windows key + YChange input between desktop and Mixed Reality.
Windows key + OLock device orientation.
Windows key + TCycle through apps in the taskbar.
Windows key + ZSwitch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality.
Windows key + JSet focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.k
Windows key + HOpen dictation feature.
Windows key + EOpen File Explorer.
Windows key + IOpen Settings.
Windows key + ROpen Run command.
Windows key + KOpen Connect settings.
Windows key + XOpen Quick Link menu.
Windows key + VOpen Clipboard bin.
Windows key + WOpen the Windows Ink Workspace.
Windows key + UOpen Ease of Access settings.
Windows key + POpen Project settings.
Windows key + Ctrl + EnterOpen Narrator.
Windows key + Plus (+)Zoom in using the magnifier.
Windows key + Minus (-)Zoom out using the magnifier.
Windows key + EscExit magnifier.
Windows key + Forward-slash (/)Start IME reconversion.
Windows key + Comma (,)Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows key + Up arrow keyMaximize app windows.
Windows key + Down arrow keyMinimize app windows.
Windows key + HomeMinimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
Windows key + Shift + MRestore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow keyStretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow keyMaximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width.
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow keyMove active window to monitor on the left.
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow keyMove active window to monitor on the right.
Windows key + Left arrow keySnap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow keySnap app or window right.
Windows key + Number (0-9)Open app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Shift + Number (0-9)Open another instance of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Number (0-9)Switch to last active window of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9)Open Jump List of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + Number (0-9)Open another instance as an administrator of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + SpacebarChange previous selected input option.
Windows key + SpacebarChange keyboard layout and input language.
Windows key + TabOpen Task View.
Windows key + Ctrl + DCreate a virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4Close active virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrowSwitch to the virtual desktop on the right.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrowSwitch to the virtual desktop on the left.
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + BWake up the device when black or a blank screen.
Windows key + PrtScnCapture full screenshot in the “Screenshots” folder.
Windows key + Shift + SCreate part of the screen screenshot.
Windows key + Shift + VCycle through notifications…
Windows key + Ctrl + FOpen search for device on domain network.
Windows key + Ctrl + QOpen Quick Assist.
Windows key + Alt + DOpen date and time in the taskbar.
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)Open emoji panel.
Windows key + PauseShow System Properties dialog box.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn more about Windows Keyboard Shortcuts, click here and for more tips click here

Happy Learning and Stay Rontech my friend.

Rontech

Tech enthusiast. Love sharing new tech tips and tricks to help the community.

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