Shortcut Keys in Windows
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All the Shortcut Keys in Windows you’ll ever need

ByIndrajit C
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Using Shortcut Keys in Windows can significantly enhance your productivity by saving you valuable time and effort. Instead of navigating through menus and performing multiple clicks, Shortcut Keys in Windows allow you to perform actions quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned user, mastering these can streamline your workflow and make your computing experience more seamless.

Shortcut Keys in Windows

Continue reading to discover a comprehensive list of essential Shortcut Keys in Windows that will help you work smarter, not harder.

Desktop keyboard Shortcut Keys in Windows

The following desktop keyboard shortcuts allows you to efficiently open, close, navigate, and perform tasks across the desktop environment, including the Start menu, Taskbar, Settings, and more.

  • Alt + EscĀ  –Ā  Cycle through open windows.
  • Alt + F4Ā  –Ā  Close active window. (If no active window is present, a shutdown box appears.)
  • Alt + F8Ā  –Ā  Reveals typed password in Sign-in screen.
  • Alt + Left arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Go back.
  • Alt + Page DownĀ  –Ā  Move down one screen.
  • Alt + Page UpĀ  –Ā  Move up one screen.
  • Alt + Right arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Go forward.
  • Alt + SpacebarĀ  –Ā  Open context menu for the active window.
  • Alt + TabĀ  –Ā  Switch between open apps while pressing Tab multiple times.
  • Alt + Underlined letterĀ  –Ā  Runs command for the underlined letter in apps.
  • Ctrl + Alt + TabĀ  –Ā  View open apps.
  • Ctrl + Arrow keysĀ  –Ā  Change Start menu size.
  • Ctrl + Arrow keys (to select) + SpacebarĀ  –Ā  Select multiple items on desktop or File Explorer.
  • Ctrl + Click a grouped app buttonĀ  –Ā  Cycle through windows in the group from the Taskbar.
  • Ctrl + Down arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
  • Ctrl + F5 (or) Ctrl + RĀ  –Ā  Refresh current window.
  • Ctrl + Left arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
  • Ctrl + Right arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
  • Ctrl + ShiftĀ  –Ā  Switch keyboard layout.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Select block of text.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Click app buttonĀ  –Ā  Run app as administrator from the Taskbar.
  • Ctrl + Shift + EscĀ  –Ā  Open Task Manager.
  • Ctrl + SpacebarĀ  –Ā  Enable or disable Chinese IME.
  • Ctrl + Up arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
  • Shift + Arrow keysĀ  –Ā  Select multiple items.
  • Shift + Click app buttonĀ  –Ā  Open another instance of an app from the Taskbar.
  • Shift + F10Ā  –Ā  Open context menu for selected item.
  • Shift + Right-click app buttonĀ Ā –Ā  Show window menu for the app from the Taskbar.
  • Shift + Right-click grouped app buttonĀ  –Ā  Show window menu for the group from the Taskbar.

Virtual desktop Shortcut Keys in Windows

The following virtual desktop shortcuts allows you to switch between the desktops, add or close the virtual desktops and more.

  • Windows KeyĀ Ā Ā + TabĀ  –Ā  Open Task view.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + DĀ  –Ā  Add a virtual desktop.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + Right arrowĀ  –Ā  Switch between virtual desktops youā€™ve created on the right.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + Left arrowĀ  –Ā  Switch between virtual desktops youā€™ve created on the left.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + F4Ā  –Ā  Close the virtual desktop you’re using.

Windows key Shotcuts

The “Windows key,” when used with other keys, enables you to execute numerous handy tasks such as launching Settings, File Explorer, the Run command, and apps pinned to the Taskbar, as well as open specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. Additionally, you can manage windows and virtual desktops, take screenshots, lock the computer, and more.

Here is a list of the most common keyboard shortcuts utilizing the Windows key.

  • Windows KeyĀ Ā  –Ā  Open Start menu.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + AĀ Ā –Ā  Open Action center.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Alt + DĀ  –Ā  Open date and time in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Alt + Number (0-9)Ā  –Ā  Open Jump List of the app in number position in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + BĀ  –Ā  Set focus notification area in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + CĀ  –Ā  Open/Close Copilot.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Comma (,)Ā  –Ā  Temporarily peek at the desktop.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + DĀ  –Ā  Create a virtual desktop.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + EnterĀ  –Ā  Open Narrator.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + FĀ  –Ā  Open search for the device on a domain network.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + F4Ā  –Ā  Close active virtual desktop.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + Left arrowĀ  –Ā  Switch to the virtual desktop on the left.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + Number (0-9)Ā  –Ā  Switch to the last active window of the app in the number position in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + QĀ  –Ā  Open Quick Assist.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + Right arrowĀ  –Ā  Switch to the virtual desktop on the right.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + Shift + BĀ  –Ā  Wake up the device when black or a blank screen.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + Shift + Number (0-9)Ā  –Ā  Open another instance as an administrator of the app in the number position in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Ctrl + SpacebarĀ  –Ā  Change previous selected input option.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + DĀ  –Ā  Display and hide the desktop.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Down arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Minimize app windows.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + EĀ  –Ā  Open File Explorer.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + EscĀ  –Ā  Exit magnifier.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + FĀ  –Ā  Launch Feedback Hub app.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Forward-slash (/)Ā  –Ā  Start IME reconversion.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + GĀ  –Ā  Launch Game bar app.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + HĀ  –Ā  Open dictation feature.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + HomeĀ  –Ā  Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + IĀ  –Ā  Open Settings.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + JĀ  –Ā  Set focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + KĀ  –Ā  Open Connect settings.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + LĀ  –Ā  Locks computer.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Left arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Snap app or window left.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + MĀ  –Ā  Minimize all windows.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Minus (-)Ā  –Ā  Zoom out using the magnifier.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Number (0-9)Ā  –Ā  Open the app in number position in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + OĀ  –Ā  Lock device orientation.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + PĀ  –Ā  Open Project settings.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + PauseĀ  –Ā  Show System Properties dialog box.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Period (.) or Semicolon (;)Ā  –Ā  Open emoji panel.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Plus (+)Ā Ā –Ā  Zoom in using the magnifier.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + PrtScnĀ  –Ā  Capture a full screenshot in the “Screenshots” folder.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + RĀ Ā –Ā  Open Run command.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Right arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Snap app or window right.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + S (or Q)Ā  –Ā  Open Search.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + Down arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Maximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + Left arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Move active window to monitor on the left.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + MĀ  –Ā  Restore minimized windows on the desktop.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + Number (0-9)Ā  –Ā  Open another app instance in the number position in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + Right arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Move active window to monitor on the right.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + SĀ Ā –Ā  Create part of the screen screenshot.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + Up arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Shift + VĀ  –Ā  Cycle through notifications.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + SpacebarĀ  –Ā  Change keyboard layout and input language.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + TĀ  –Ā  Cycle through apps in the Taskbar.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + TabĀ  –Ā  Open Task View.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + UĀ  –Ā  Open Ease of Access settings.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + Up arrow keyĀ  –Ā  Maximize app windows.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + VĀ  –Ā  Open Clipboard bin.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + WĀ  –Ā  Open the Windows Ink Workspace.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + XĀ  –Ā  Open Quick Link menu.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + YĀ  –Ā  Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality.
  • Windows KeyĀ Ā + ZĀ  –Ā  Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality.

File Explorer Shortcut Keys in Windows

The following list of File Explorer shortcuts allows you access folders, navigation pane, search bar, address bars and more.

  • Alt + DĀ  –Ā  Select address bar.
  • Alt + EnterĀ Ā –Ā  Open Properties settings for the selected item.
  • Alt + Left arrow key (or Backspace)Ā Ā –Ā  View previous folder.
  • Alt + PĀ Ā –Ā  Display preview panel.
  • Alt + Right arrow keyĀ  –Ā  View next folder.
  • Alt + Up arrowĀ Ā –Ā  Move up a level in the folder path.
  • Ctrl + E (or F)Ā  –Ā  Select search box.
  • Ctrl + F (or F3)Ā  –Ā  Start search.
  • Ctrl + LĀ Ā –Ā  Focus on the address bar.
  • Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheelĀ Ā –Ā  Change view file and folder.
  • Ctrl + NĀ Ā –Ā  Open new window.
  • Ctrl + Shift + EĀ  –Ā  Expands all folders from the tree in the navigation pane.
  • Ctrl + Shift + NĀ Ā –Ā  Creates a new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Number (1-8)Ā  –Ā  Changes folder view.
  • Ctrl + WĀ  –Ā  Close active window.
  • EndĀ  –Ā  Scroll to the bottom of the window.
  • F11Ā  –Ā  Switch active window full-screen mode.
  • F2Ā  –Ā  Rename selected item.
  • F4Ā  –Ā  Switch focus to address bar.
  • F5Ā  –Ā  Refresh File Explorer’s current view.
  • F6Ā  –Ā  Cycle through elements on the screen.
  • HomeĀ  –Ā  Scroll to the top of the window.
  • Windows keyĀ Ā + EĀ Ā –Ā  Open File Explorer.

Ā Windows Settings page Shortcut Keys in Windows

Utilize the below shortcuts to navigate quickly on the Windows Settings page.

  • Alt + underline letterĀ  –Ā  Actions the setting identified by the letter.
  • Arrow keysĀ  –Ā  Select a button of the active setting.
  • BackspaceĀ  –Ā  Opens the folder one-level app in the Open or Save As dialog.
  • Ctrl + number of tabĀ  –Ā  Jumps to tab position.
  • Ctrl + Shift + TabĀ  –Ā  Cycles back through the tabs.
  • Ctrl + TabĀ  –Ā  Cycles forward through the tabs.
  • Shift + TabĀ  –Ā  Moves back through the settings.
  • SpacebarĀ  –Ā  Checks or clears the option in focus.
  • TabĀ  –Ā  Moves forward through the settings.

Text Editing Shortcut Keys in Windows

Use the following list of shortcuts to edit the text more quickly and efficiently.

  • BackspaceĀ  –Ā  Delete characters to the left
  • Ctrl + =Ā  –Ā  Make selected text subscript
  • Ctrl + AĀ  –Ā  Select all text
  • Ctrl + BĀ  –Ā  Make selected text bold
  • Ctrl + BackspaceĀ  –Ā  Delete words to the left
  • Ctrl + CĀ  –Ā  Copy text
  • Ctrl + DelĀ  –Ā  Delete words to the right
  • Ctrl + Down ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go to end of line break
  • Ctrl + EndĀ  –Ā  Go to the end of the document
  • Ctrl + FĀ  –Ā  Find text
  • Ctrl + HĀ Ā –Ā  Find and replace text
  • Ctrl + HomeĀ  –Ā  Go to the beginning of the document
  • Ctrl + IĀ  –Ā  Make selected text italic
  • Ctrl + Left ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go to beginning of previous word
  • Ctrl + Right ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go to beginning of next word
  • Ctrl + Shift + =Ā  –Ā  Make selected text superscript
  • Ctrl + UĀ  –Ā  Underline selected text
  • Ctrl + Up ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go to beginning of line break
  • Ctrl + VĀ  –Ā  Paste text
  • Ctrl + XĀ  –Ā  Cut text
  • Ctrl + YĀ  –Ā  Redo text
  • Ctrl + ZĀ  –Ā  Undo text
  • DeleteĀ  –Ā  Delete characters to the right
  • Down ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go down one row
  • EndĀ  –Ā  Go to the end of the current line
  • HomeĀ  –Ā  Go to the beginning of the current line
  • Left ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go to the left or to the end of previous line break
  • Page DownĀ  –Ā  Move down one frame
  • Page UpĀ  –Ā  Move up one frame
  • Right ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go to the right or to the beginning of next line break
  • Shift + Ctrl + DownĀ  –Ā  Select paragraphs to the right
  • Shift + Ctrl + EndĀ  –Ā  Select text between the cursor and the end of the document
  • Shift + Ctrl + HomeĀ  –Ā  Select text between the cursor and the beginning of the document
  • Shift + Ctrl + LeftĀ  –Ā  Select words to the left
  • Shift + Ctrl + RightĀ  –Ā  Select words to the right
  • Shift + Ctrl + UpĀ  –Ā  Select paragraphs to the left
  • Shift + Down ArrowĀ  –Ā  Select lines downwards
  • Shift + EndĀ  –Ā  Select text between the cursor and the end of the current line
  • Shift + HomeĀ  –Ā  Select text between the cursor and the beginning of the current line
  • Shift + Left ArrowĀ  –Ā  Select characters to the left
  • Shift + Page DownĀ  –Ā  Select one frame at a time of text below the cursor
  • Shift + Page UpĀ  –Ā  Select one frame at a time of text above the cursor
  • Shift + Right ArrowĀ  –Ā  Select characters to the right
  • Shift + TabĀ  –Ā  Outdent
  • Shift + Up ArrowĀ  –Ā  Select lines upwards
  • TabĀ  –Ā  Indent
  • Up ArrowĀ  –Ā  Go up one row

Taskbar Keyboard Shortcut Keys in Windows

The below shortcuts allow you to navigate to the taskbar options quickly. 

  • Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar buttonĀ  –Ā Ā Open an app as an administrator.
  • Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar buttonĀ  –Ā Ā Cycle through the windows of the group
  • Shift + click a taskbar buttonĀ  –Ā Ā Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app.
  • Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar buttonĀ  –Ā Ā Show the window menu for the group.
  • Shift + right-click a taskbar buttonĀ  –Ā Ā Show the window menu for the app.

Make the most of your time by leveraging the power of these Shortcut Keys in Windows and see the difference it makes in your daily tasks.

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