Windows Shortcut Keys
Keys - Action
F2 Rename the selected item
F3 Search for a file or folder in File Explorer
F4 Display the address bar list in File Explorer
F5 Refresh the active window.
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window
F10 Activate the Menu bar in the active app
Alt + Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Alt + Left Arrow Go back
Alt + Right Arrow Go forward
Alt + Page Up Move up one screen
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app
Alt + F8 Show your password on the sign-in screen
Alt + Spacebar Open the shortcut menu
Alt + Shift + Arrow keys When a group or tile is in focus on the start menu, move it in the direction specified
Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item
Ctrl + R Refresh the active Window
Ctrl + Esc Open Start
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + F4 Close the active document
Ctrl + C Copy the selected item.
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
Ctrl + V Paste the selected item
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + Z Undo and act
Esc Stop or leave the current task
Ctrl + F4 Close the active document
Ctrl + D Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + Right Arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl + Left Arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl + Down Arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + Up Arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
Ctrl + Alt + Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps
Alt + Shift + Arrow keys When a group or tile is in focus on the start menu, move it in the direction specified
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keys When a tile is in focus on the start menu, move it into another tile to create a
folder
Ctrl + Arrow keys Resize the Start menu when it’s open
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Shift Switch the keyboard layouts are available
Ctrl + Spacebar Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off
Shift + F10 Display the Shortcut menu for the selected item
Shift + Delete Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
Right Arrow Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left Arrow Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
General Shortcuts:
- Win key (⊞): Opens or closes the Start Menu.
- Win + D: Show desktop (minimizes or restores all windows).
- Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps or windows.
- Alt + F4: Close the active item or exit the active app.
- Win + L: Lock your PC or switch accounts.
- Win + E: Open File Explorer.
- Win + R: Open the Run dialog box.
- Ctrl + C: Copy the selected item.
- Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item.
- Ctrl + V: Paste the selected item.
- Ctrl + Z: Undo an action.
Taskbar Shortcuts:
- Shift + click on a taskbar button: Open a new instance of the program.
- Ctrl + Shift + click on a taskbar button: Open a program as an administrator.
Virtual Desktop Shortcuts:
- Win + Tab: Open Task view.
- Win + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow: Switch between virtual desktops.
Window Management Shortcuts:
- Win + Up/Down arrow: Maximize or minimize the current window.
- Win + Left/Right arrow: Snap window to the left or right half of the screen.
- Win + Shift + Left/Right arrow: Move the window to the monitor on the left or right.
Screenshot Shortcuts:
- Win + Print Screen: Capture a screenshot and save it to the Screenshots folder.
- Alt + Print Screen: Capture a screenshot of the current window.
Accessibility Shortcuts:
- Win + + (plus key): Zoom in using the Magnifier.
- Win + - (minus key): Zoom out using the Magnifier.
- Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Open the security options (Lock, Switch user, Sign out, Task Manager).
Text Editing Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + A: Select all items in a document or window.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly.
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder in File Explorer.
- F2: Rename the selected item.
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder in File Explorer.
- F2: Rename the selected item.
Browser Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + T: Open a new tab in a browser.
- Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab in a browser.
- Ctrl + Tab: Switch between open tabs in a browser.
Dialog Box Shortcuts:
- Tab: Move to the next control in a dialog box.
- Shift + Tab: Move to the previous control in a dialog box.
- Enter: Perform the command (usually equivalent to clicking the selected button).
Windows Explorer Shortcuts:
- Alt + Up arrow: Go up one level in Windows Explorer.
- Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel: Change the size of icons on the desktop or in Windows Explorer.
- System Shortcuts:
- Win + Pause/Break: Open System Properties.
- Win + E: Open File Explorer.
- Win + P: Choose a presentation display mode.
- Multitasking Shortcuts:
- Win + Ctrl + D: Add a virtual desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow: Switch between virtual desktops.
- Win + Shift + Left/Right arrow: Move the current window from one monitor to another.
- Accessibility Shortcuts:
- Win + Ctrl + C: Open color filters.
- Win + U: Open Ease of Access Center.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly.
These shortcuts cover a wide range of tasks and can help you navigate and operate Windows more efficiently. They're great for both everyday tasks and more complex operations!
Certainly! Here are even more Windows shortcuts to enhance your productivity:
- Windows Settings Shortcuts:
- Win + I: Open Windows Settings.
- Win + A: Open the Action Center (notifications).
- Win + G: Open the Game bar when a game is open.
- Win + K: Open the Connect quick action (for connecting to wireless displays and audio devices).
- Clipboard Shortcuts (Windows 10 and later):
- Win + V: Open the clipboard history.
- Ctrl + Win + V: Cycle through items in the clipboard history.
- Narrator Shortcuts (Windows 10 and later):
- Ctrl + Win + Enter: Turn on Narrator.
- Caps Lock + Esc: Exit Narrator.
- Task View Shortcuts (Windows 10 and later):
- Win + Tab: Open Task View.
- Ctrl + Win + D: Add a virtual desktop.
- Ctrl + Win + Left/Right arrow: Switch between virtual desktops.
- Emoji Panel Shortcut (Windows 10 and later):
- Win + . (period) or Win + ; (semicolon): Open the emoji panel.
- Game Bar Shortcuts (Windows 10 and later):
- Win + G: Open Game bar when a game is open.
- Win + Alt + R: Start/stop recording.
- Cortana Shortcuts (Windows 10):
- Win + C: Open Cortana in listening mode.
- Win + S: Open Cortana for text input.
- Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch Shortcuts (Windows 10 and later):
- Win + Shift + S: Open Snip & Sketch for taking screenshots.
- File Explorer Shortcuts:
- Alt + D: Select the address bar in File Explorer.
- Ctrl + E: Activate the Search box in File Explorer.
- Calculator Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + E: Clear the current calculation in the Calculator app.
- Windows Media Player Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + 1-9: Switch to the corresponding library tab in Windows Media Player.
These shortcuts cover various aspects of using Windows, from settings and accessibility to media playback and more. They can save time and streamline your workflow once you become familiar with them.
Certainly! Here are some additional Windows shortcuts that can further enhance your productivity:
- Taskbar Shortcuts:
- Win + Number (1-9): Open the corresponding app pinned to the taskbar (e.g., Win + 1 for the first app).
- Command Prompt Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + C: Copy selected text to the clipboard.
- Ctrl + V: Paste copied text into the command prompt.
- Ctrl + A: Select all text in the current line.
- Ctrl + Left/Right arrow: Move cursor one word to the left or right.
- Power User Menu Shortcuts (Windows 8 and later):
- Win + X: Open the Power User menu (quick access to various system tools and settings).
- Desktop Shortcuts:
- Win + Space: Peek at the desktop (temporarily hide open windows and show the desktop).
- Magnifier Shortcuts:
- Win + + (plus key): Zoom in using the Magnifier.
- Win + - (minus key): Zoom out using the Magnifier.
- Win + Esc: Exit Magnifier.
- On-Screen Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Open the Windows Security options (Lock, Switch user, Sign out, Task Manager).
- System Properties Shortcuts:
- Win + Pause/Break: Open System Properties.
- Windows Explorer Shortcuts:
- Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
- Shift + Delete: Permanently delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin.
- Calculator Shortcuts:
- Alt + 1: Switch to Standard mode in Calculator.
- Alt + 2: Switch to Scientific mode in Calculator.
- Alt + 3: Switch to Programmer mode in Calculator.
- Windows Update Shortcuts:
- Win + I: Open Settings, then go to Update & Security.
- Remote Desktop Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Alt + Break: Switch between full-screen mode and windowed mode for Remote Desktop.
These shortcuts cover a wide range of functions and utilities within Windows, helping you navigate and operate your computer more efficiently. Mastering these can save time and make your computing experience smoother.
Certainly! Here are some additional Windows shortcuts that can be useful across different contexts:
- Task Manager Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then Alt + F: Open the File menu in Task Manager.
- Ease of Access Shortcuts:
- Win + Ctrl + Enter: Turn on/off Narrator.
- Win + Plus (+) or Win + Minus (-): Zoom in or out using Magnifier.
- Windows Explorer Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + N: Open a new File Explorer window.
- Alt + P: Show/hide the preview pane in File Explorer.
- Remote Desktop Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Alt + Del: Send Ctrl + Alt + Del to the remote computer.
- Windows Terminal Shortcuts (Windows 11 and later):
- Ctrl + Shift + T: Open a new tab in Windows Terminal.
- Ctrl + Shift + W: Close the current tab in Windows Terminal.
- Windows Search Shortcuts:
- Win + S: Open Windows Search.
- Desktop Shortcuts:
- F5: Refresh the active window (e.g., File Explorer or desktop).
- Media Player Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + P: Play or pause media in a media player.
- Game Bar Shortcuts:
- Win + Alt + G: Record the last 30 seconds (if enabled in Game Bar settings).
- Microsoft Edge Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Shift + B: Toggle the favorites bar on or off.
- Windows Ink Workspace Shortcuts:
- Win + W: Open Windows Ink Workspace.
- Windows Mixed Reality Shortcuts:
- Win + Y: Open the desktop in Windows Mixed Reality.
- Sticky Notes Shortcuts:
- Ctrl + N: Create a new Sticky Note.
- Windows Security Shortcuts:
- Win + W: Open Windows Security.
- Windows Feedback Hub Shortcuts:
- Win + F: Open the Feedback Hub.
These shortcuts cover a variety of tasks and applications within Windows, from system management to productivity tools and multimedia. Learning and using these shortcuts can significantly boost your efficiency and speed up your workflow.