Useful Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows To Save Time

Keyboard shortcuts can make working on a computer faster and more efficient. Catch hold of some of the most commonly used commands for Windows, below!

By: Vaibhavi Mishra Updated: Jun 28, 2021 14:41 IST

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows To Save Time

Keyboard shortcuts replace the clicks and scrolls of a mouse with just a few keys

Keyboard shortcuts are the quick computer commands given by specific combinations of keyboard keys that save the users from endless clicks and scrolls. They not only add to the convenience but also enhance productivity and efficiency by saving time.

From navigating a menu and zooming in on a page to responding to a dialogue box or simply cutting and pasting content- there is a keyboard shortcut for almost every command. While some of these are generic, some have been devised especially for file folders, excel sheets, word processing programmes, e-mail accounts, or even social media.

These keyboard shortcuts are particularly useful when juggling with many tabs and tools at the same time. Similarly, they ensure a seamless workflow in case of a mouse freeze.

While some of these shortcut commands are universal, applying to all the software alike, many are specifically designed for Windows or Mac. The two keyboards have many
subtle differences, such as the latter mainly uses the Command key as a modifier, instead of the Ctrl Key.

Here is a list of some of the tried and tested keyboard shortcuts, most commonly used in Windows, that'll help you save substantial time during tightly packed working hours!

Popular Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows

These are some of the most popular and commonly used keyboard shortcuts in Windows.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Ctrl + A	Select all content.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)	Copy selected items to clipboard
Ctrl + X	Cut selected items to clipboard
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)	Paste content from clipboard
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action, including undelete files (limited)
Ctrl + Y	Redo an action
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create a new folder on desktop or File Explorer
Alt + F4	Close active window. (If no active window present, then the shutdown box appears.)
Ctrl + D (Del)	Delete selected item to the Recycle Bin
Shift + Delete	Delete the selected item permanently skipping Recycle Bin
F2	Rename selected item
ESC	Close current task
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps
PrtScn	Takes a screenshot and stores it in clipboard
Windows key + I	Open Settings app
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Windows key + A	Open Action Center
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop
Windows key + L	Lock device
Windows key + V	Open Clipboard bin
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)	Open emoji panel
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture full screenshot in the "Screenshots" folder
Windows key + Shift + S	Capture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app or window right

Dialogue Box Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are some of the keyboard shortcuts that'll help you navigate within a dialogue box and give commands easily.

Keyboard Shortcut	Action
F4	Display the items in the active list.
Ctrl + Tab	Move forward through tabs.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab	Move back through tabs.
Ctrl + number (number 1–9)	Move to nth tab.
Tab	Move forward through options.
Shift + Tab	Move back through options.
Alt + underlined letter	Perform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter.
Spacebar	Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Backspace	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialogue box.
Arrow keys	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

File Explorer Shortcuts

Manage 'File Explorer' the file manager application with these easy and handy shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Ctrl + A	Select 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 + M	Starts mark mode
Ctrl + Up arrow key	Move screen up one line
Ctrl + Down arrow key	Move screen down one line
Ctrl + F	Open search for Command Prompt
Left or right arrow keys	Move cursor left or right in the current line
Up or down arrow keys	Cycle through command history of the current session
Page up	Move cursor one page up
Page down	Move cursor one page down
Ctrl + Home	Scroll to top of the console
Ctrl + End	Scroll to the bottom of the console

Command Prompt Shortcuts

Here are some of the command prompt shortcuts that'll come in handy in performing various tasks. You can open the command prompt by typing “cmd” into the “Run box”.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Alt + D	Select address bar
Ctrl + E (or F)	Select search box
Ctrl + N	Open new window
Ctrl + W	Close active window
Ctrl + F (or F3)	Start search
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel	Change view file and folder
Ctrl + Shift + E	Expands all folders from the tree in the navigation pane
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer
Ctrl + L	Focus on the address bar
Ctrl + Shift + Number (1-8)	Changes folder view
Alt + P	Display preview panel
Alt + Enter	Open Properties settings for the selected item
Alt + Right arrow key	View next folder
Alt + Left arrow key (or Backspace)	View previous folder
Alt + Up arrow	Move up a level in the folder path
F11	Switch active window full-screen mode
F5	Refresh the instance of File Explorer
F2	Rename selected item
F4	Switch focus to address bar
F5	Refresh File Explorer's current view
F6	Cycle through elements on the screen
Home	Scroll to the top of the window
End	Scroll to the bottom of window

Windows Key Shortcuts

Find below the list of diverse keyboard shortcuts involving the Window logo key that'll help you with a variety of functions including the launch of Windows and third-party apps.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key	Open Start menu
Windows key + A	Open Action Center
Windows key + S ( or Q)	Open Search
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop
Windows key + L	Locks computer
Windows key + M	Minimize all windows
Windows key + B	Set focus notification area in the taskbar
Windows key + C	Launch Cortana app
Windows key + F	Launch Feedback Hub app
Windows key + G	Launch Game bar app
Windows key + Y	Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality
Windows key + O	Lock device orientation
Windows key + T	Cycle through apps in the taskbar
Windows key + Z	Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality
Windows key + J	Set focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable
Windows key + H	Open dictation feature
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Windows key + I	Open Settings
Windows key + R	Open Run command
Windows key + K	Open Connect settings
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu
Windows key + V	Open Clipboard bin
Windows key + W	Open the Windows Ink Workspace
Windows key + U	Open Ease of Access settings
Windows key + P	Open Project settings
Windows key + Ctrl + Enter	Open Narrator
Windows key + Plus (+)	Zoom in using the magnifier
Windows key + Minus (-)	Zoom out using the magnifier
Windows key + Esc	Exit magnifier
Windows key + Forward-slash (/)	Start IME reconversion
Windows key + Comma (,)	Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows key + Up arrow key	Maximize app windows
Windows key + Down arrow key	Minimize app windows
Windows key + Home	Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window
Windows key + Shift + M	Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key	Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key	Maximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the left
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the right
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap 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 the 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 + Spacebar	Change previously selected input option
Windows key + Spacebar	Change keyboard layout and input language
Windows key + Tab	Open Task View
Windows key + Ctrl + D	Create a virtual desktop
Windows key + Ctrl + F4	Close active virtual desktop
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the right
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the left
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B	Wake up the device when black or a blank screen
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture full screenshot in the "Screenshots" folder
Windows key + Shift + S	Create part of the screen screenshot
Windows key + Shift + V	Cycle through notifications
Windows key + Ctrl + F	Open search for device on domain network
Windows key + Ctrl + Q	Open Quick Assist
Windows key + Alt + D	Open date and time in the taskbar
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)	Open emoji panel
Windows key + Pause	Show System Properties dialogue box