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Windows Keyboard shortcuts

Mastering keyboard shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity on Windows.

This article will introduce you to the essential shortcuts that will help you navigate the operating system with ease.

General shortcuts (applies to all versions of Windows)

CombinationActions
Ctrl + XCut the selected element.
Ctrl + CCopy the selected element.
Ctrl + VPaste the selected element.
Ctrl + ZUndo an action.
Alt + TabSwitch between open apps.
Alt + F4Closes the active app. If you're on desktop, the shutdown dialog will appear.
Win + LLocks your PC.
Win + DDisplays and hides app windows.
F2Renames the selected item.
F3Searches for a file or folder in File Explorer.
F4Displays the address bar in File Explorer.
F5Refreshes the active window.
F6Cycles through screen elements in a window or on desktop.
F10Activates the Menu bar in the active app.
Alt + F8Shows your password on the sign-in screen.
Alt + EscCycles through items in the order in which they were opened.
Alt + Underlined letterPerforms the command on that letter.
Alt + EnterDisplays properties for the selected item.
Alt + SpacebarOpens the shortcut menu for the active window.
Alt + Go back.
Alt + Go forward.
Alt + Page UpMoves up one screen.
Alt + Page DownMoves down one screen.
Ctrl + F4Closes the active window.
Ctrl + ASelects all elements in a document or window.
Ctrl + D or DelDeletes the selected item and move it.
Ctrl + EOpens Search option, if available.
Ctrl + R or F5Refreshes the active window.
Ctrl + YRedo an action.
Ctrl + Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
Ctrl + Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
Ctrl + Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
Ctrl + Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
Ctrl + Alt + TabSwitch between opened apps with arrow keys. (You can let go of the Alt and tab keys)
Alt + Shift + When a group or tile is selected on the Start menu, move it in the specified direction.
Ctrl + Shift + When a tile is selected on the Start menu, drag it onto another tile to create a folder.
Ctrl + + SpacebarSelect multiple individual items within a window or on the desktop.
Ctrl + EscOpens Start Menu.
Ctrl + Shift + EscOpens Task Manager.
Alt + ShiftChanges the keyboard layout when multiple layouts are available.
Shift + F10Shows the context menu for the selected item.
Shift with any arrow keysSelect multiple items within a window or on the desktop, or highlight text in a document.
Shift + DelPermanently delete the selected item without sending it to the Recycle Bin.

Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

CombinationActions
WinOpens or closes the Start menu.
Win + AOpens Quick Settings.
Win + BSets focus on the first icon in system tray in taskbar.
Win + COpens Copilot.
Win + Ctrl + CTurns on the color filter. (The shortcut needs to be enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Color Filter)
Win + DHides and displays desktop windows.
Win + EOpens File Explorer.
Win + FOpens Feedback Hub app.
Win + GOpens Game Bar.
Win + Alt + BTurns HDR on or off. (This applies to Xbox Game Bar app version 5.721.7292.0. To update the Game Bar app, visit Microsoft Store and check for new updates.)
Win + HLaunches voice typing.
Win + IOpens Settings app.
Win + KOpens Cast from Quick Settings.
Win + LLocks your PC.
Win + MMinimizes all windows.
Win + Shift + MRestores minimized windows.
Win + NOpens notification center and calendar.
Win + OLocks the device orientation, if your device supports it.
Win + PChoose a presentation display mode.
Win + Ctrl + QOpens Quick Assist app.
Win + ROpens the Run dialog.
Win + Alt + RRecords a game window in focus with Xbox Game Bar.
Win + SOpens Windows Search.
Win + Shift + STakes screenshot with Snipping Tool app.
Win + WOpens Widgets.
Win + XOpens the Power User context menu. (Similar when right clicking the Start button on your taskbar)
Win + AOpens Snap Layout.
Win + . or ;Opens the emoji panel.
Win + ,Temporarily peek the desktop.
Win + PauseOpens your computer information in Settings > System > About
Win + Numbers (from 1 to 9)Opens the desktop and launches the app pinned to the taskbar at the specified position. If the app is already running, it switches to that app.
Win + Shift + Number (from 1 to 9)Launches the app and pins a new instance to the taskbar at the specified position.
Win + Ctrl + Number (from 1 to 9)Launches the app and switches to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar at the specified position.
Win + Ctrl + Shift + Number (from 1 to 9)Opens the desktop and launch a new instance of the app pinned at the specified taskbar position with administrator privileges.
Win + TabOpens Task View.
Win + Maximizes the window.
Win + Alt + Snaps the window in focus to top half of the screen.
Win + Minimizes the app window.
Win + Alt + Snaps the window in focus to bottom half of the screen.
Win + Maximizes the app window to the left side of the screen.
Win + Maximize the app window to the right side of the screen.
Win + HomeMinimizes all windows except the active desktop window. (You can restore all windows on second stroke.)
Win + Shift + Restores / Minimizes the active window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Win + Shift + or Moves an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another.
Win + Shift + SpacebarCircles backwards through language and keyboard layout.
Win + SpacebarSwitch input language and keyboard layout.
Win + Ctrl + SpacebarChange to a previously selected input.
Win + Ctrl + EnterTurn on Narrator.
Win + +Opens the Magnifier and zooms in.
Win + /Begins IME (Input Method Editors) reconversion.
Win + Ctrl + Shift + BWakes your PC from black screen or black.
Win + PrtScnTakes screenshot on full screen.
Win + Alt + PrtScnSave screenshot of game window (Relies on Xbox Game Bar.)

Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts

CombinationActions
WinOpens Start menu.
Win + AOpens Action center.
Win + BSets focus notification area in the Taskbar.
Win + Shift + COpens Cortana in listening mode (Deprecated.)
Win + DDisplays and hides desktop windows.
Win + Alt + DDisplays and hides the date and time on the desktop.
Win + EOpens File Explorer.
Win + FOpens Feedback Hub.
Win + GOpens Game Bar.
Win + HOpens the dictation feature.
Win + IOpens Settings.
Win + JSets focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.
Win + KOpens the Cast quick action menu.
Win + LLocks your PC or switches accounts.
Win + MMinimizes all desktop windows.
Win + OLocks the device orientation, if supported.
Win + POpens Project settings and choose a presentation display mode.
Win + ROpens Run dialog.
Win + SOpens Windows Search.
Win + UCycles through apps on taskbar.
Win + VCycles through notifications.
Win + Shift + VCycles through notifications in reverse order.
Win + XOpens Quick Link menu.
Win + ZShows the commands available in an app in full-screen mode.
Win + ,Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Win + PauseDisplays the System Properties dialog box.
Win + Ctrl + FSearches for PCs on the local network.
Win + Shift + MRestores minimized desktop windows.
Win + Number (from 0 to 9)Launches the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, it switches to that app.
Win + Shift + NumberLaunches the app and starts a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Win + Ctrl + NumberLaunches the app and starts the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Win + Alt + NumberLaunches the app and opens the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Win + Ctrl + Shift + NumberLaunches the app and opens a new instance at the specified taskbar position with administrative privileges.
Win + TabOpens Task View.
Win + Maximizes the window.
Win + Minimizes the desktop window.
Win + Maximizes the desktop window to the left side of the screen.
Win + Maximizes the desktop window to the right side of the screen.
Win + HomeMinimizes all except the active desktop window. (Restores all windows on second stroke.)
Win + Shift + Stretches the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Win + Shift + Restores the active window vertically, maintaining width.
Win + Shift + or Moves the desktop window from one monitor to another.
Win + SpacebarSwitches input languages and keyboard layouts.
Win + Ctrl + SpacebarChanges to a previously selected input.
Win + EnterOpens Narrator.
Win + /Launches the IME (Input Method Editors) reconversion.
Win + + or -Zooms in or out using Magnifier.
Win + EscStops Magnifier.

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

CombinationActions
Alt + DSelects the address bar.
Ctrl + ESelects the search box.
Ctrl + FSelects the search box.
Ctrl + NOpens a new Window.
Ctrl + WCloses the active window.
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheelAdjusts the dimensions and look of file and folder icons.
Ctrl + Shift + EShows all folders located above the chosen folder.
Ctrl + Shift + NCreates a new folder.
Num Lock + *Shows all subfolders within the chosen folder.
Num Lock + -Shows the items within the chosen folder.
Alt + PShows the Preview panel.
Alt + EnterOpens the Properties window for the chosen item.
Alt + Views the next folder.
Alt + Navigates to the parent folder of the current directory.
Alt + Views the previous folder.
BackspaceViews the previous folder.
Expand the current selection (if collapsed), or highlight the first subfolder.
Collapse the current selection (if expanded), or navigate to the parent folder.
EndViews the bottom of the active window.
HomeViews the top of the active window
F11Enters full screen mode.

Taskbar Keyboard Shortcuts

CombinationActions
Shift + Click a taskbar buttonOpens an app or another instance of an app.
Ctrl + Shift + Click a taskbar buttonOpens the app as administrator.
Shift + Right click a taskbar buttonShows the context menu for the app.

Virtual desktop keyboard shortcuts

CombinationActions
Win + TabOpens Task view.
Win + Ctrl + DAdds a virtual desktop.
Win + Ctrl + Switches between virtual desktops to the right.
Win + Ctrl + Switches between virtual desktops to the left.
Win + Ctrl + F4Closes the current virtual desktop.

Microsoft Edge keyboard shortcuts

CombinationActions
Ctrl + Shift + BShow or hide favorite bar
Alt + Shift + BSets focus on the first item in the favorites bar.
Ctrl + DSaves the current tab as a favorite.
Ctrl + Shift + DSaves all open tabs as favorites in a new folder.
Ctrl + Shift + EOpens search in sidebar.
Alt + DSelects the URL in the address bar to edit.
Ctrl + EOpens a search query in the address bar.
Alt + EOpens Settings and more ... menu.
Ctrl + FOpens find on page.
Alt + FOpens Settings and more ... menu.
Ctrl + GJumps to the next result for find on page.
Ctrl + Shift + GJumps to the previous result for find on page.
Ctrl + HOpens history.
Ctrl + Shift + IOpens Developer Tools.
Alt + Shift + IOpens Send Feedback dialog.
Ctrl + JOpens Downloads.
Ctrl + KOpens a search query in address bar.
Ctrl + Shift + KDuplicates the current tab.
Ctrl + LSelects the URL in the address bar to edit.
Ctrl + Shift + LPastes and search or paste and go (if it's a URL).
Ctrl + MMutes the current tab.
Ctrl + Shift + MSigns in as a different user or browse as Guest.
Ctrl + NOpens a new window.
Ctrl + Shift + NOpens a new InPrivate window.
Ctrl + OOpens a file from your computer in Edge.
Ctrl + Shift + OOpens Favorites.
Ctrl + PPrints the current page.
Ctrl + Shift + PPrints using the system dialog.
Ctrl + RReloads the current page.
Ctrl + Shift + RReloads the current page while ignoring cached content.
Ctrl + SSaves the current page.
Ctrl + TOpens a new tab and switches to it.
Ctrl + Shift + TSets focus on the first item in the app bar toolbar.
Alt + Shift + TReopen the last closed tab and switches to it.
Ctrl + UViews source.
Ctrl + Shift + UStarts or stops Read Aloud.
Ctrl + Shift + VPaste without formatting.
Ctrl + WClose the current tab.
Ctrl + Shift + WCloses the current window.
Ctrl + Shift + YOpens Collection.
Ctrl + 0Resets the page level zoom.
Ctrl + 1, 2, ...8Switches to a specific tab.
Ctrl + 9Switches to the last tab.
Ctrl + EnterAdds www. to the beginning and .com to the end of text typed in the address bar.
Ctrl + TabSwitches to the next tab.
Ctrl + Shift + TabSwitches to the previous tab.
Ctrl + +Zooms in.
Ctrl + -Zooms out.
Ctrl + /Toggles between Fit to page and fit to width in a PDF file.
Ctrl + [Rotates the PDF counter-clockwise 90°.
Ctrl + ]Rotates the PDF clockwise 90°.
Ctrl + Shift + DeleteOpens clear browsing data options.
AltSets focus on the Settings and more ... button.
Alt + Goes back.
Alt + Goes forward.
Alt + HomeOpens your home page in the current tab.
Alt + F4Closes the current window.
F1Opens Help.
F3Opens Find on page in the current tab.
F4Selects the URL in the address bar.
Ctrl + F4Closes the current tab.
F5Reloads the current tab.
Shift + F5Reloads the current tab while ignoring cached content.
F6Moves focus to the next pane.
Shift + F6Moves focus to the previous pane.
Ctrl + F6Moves focus to the web content pane.
F7Turns caret browsing on or off.
F9Enters or exists Immersive Reader (If supported).
F10Sets focus on the Settings and more ... button.
F10 + EnterOpens Settings and more ... menu.
Shift + F10Opens context menu.
F11Toggles full screen.
F12Opens Developer Tools.
EscStops loading page / Closes dialog or a pop-up.
SpacebarScrolls down a webpage, one screen at a time.
Shift + SpacebarScrolls up a webpage, one screen at a time.
PgDnScrolls down a webpage, one screen at a time.
Ctrl + PgDnSwitches to the next tab.
PgUpScrolls up a webpage, one screen at a time.
Ctrl + PgUpSwitches to the previous tab.
HomeGoes to the top of the page / Moves the keyboard focus to the first item of pane.
EndGoes to the bottom of the page / Moves the keyboard focus to the last item of pane.
TabGoes to the next tab stop.
Shift + TabGoes to the previous tab stop.

Not associated with Microsoft.