Useful Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows To Save Time
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 |
Also Read: Best Wireless Keyboards
A multi-media journalist and writer, Vaibhavi views the world as one big piece of poetry. Time and again she tries to capture this poetry through words, as well as, the lens. She loves to explore the depth of human psyche, philosophy, cultures, and oceans! Carrying forward this quest for exploration she reports on various beats ranging from tourism, culture, art, social issues, business, market trends, science and environment to technology. For her, the life mantra can be summarised with the catchphrases, “Hakuna Matata” and “Carpe Diem”.
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