Share via

73 Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows

Drew - 735 Reputation points
2024-10-01T00:45:21+00:00

Hope someone finds this info helpful...
From CNET and a Story by Nelson Aguilar & Matt Elliott

To start, here are the Windows 11 hotkeys you'll probably use most often.

  • **Ctrl + A:**Select all items in a window.
  • Ctrl + Cor **Ctrl + Insert:**Copy selected or highlighted item (text, images and so on).
  • Ctrl + Vor **Shift + Insert:**Paste selected or highlighted item.
  • **Ctrl + X:**Cut selected or highlighted item.
  • **Ctrl + Z:**Undo previous action.
  • **Ctrl + Y:**Redo action.
  • Ctrl + N: When File Explorer is your current window, open a new File Explorer window with the same folder path as the current window.
  • **Windows key + F1:**Open "how to get help in windows" Bing search in default browser.
  • **Alt + F4:**Close the current app or window.
  • **Alt + Tab:**Switch between open apps or windows.
  • **Shift + Delete:**Delete selected item permanently (skip the Recycle Bin).

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close and otherwise control the Start menu and the taskbar.

  • Windows key or Ctrl + Esc: Open Start menu.
  • Windows key + X: Open the secret Start menu.
  • Windows key + T: Cycle through the apps (including pinned apps) on the taskbar.
  • **Windows key + [Number]:**Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar. For example, if you have Edge pinned in the first position on the taskbar and you click Windows key + 1, Edge will open. If the app is already open, a new instance or window will open.
  • **Windows key + Alt + [Number]:**Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar.
  • Windows key + D: Show or hide desktop (Windows key + , will display the desktop briefly).

Windows 11 also has several ways to take a screenshot, including three different keyboard shortcuts.

  • PrtScn: Take a screenshot of your entire screen and save it to your clipboard.
  • **Windows key + PrtScn:**Take a screenshot of your entire desktop and save it to a folder on your computer.
  • Windows key + Shift + **S:**Open Snipping Tool menu to take a screenshot of only a section of your screen.

These shortcuts control how individual windows act on your desktop, including virtual desktops.

  • **Windows key + M:**Minimize all open windows.
  • Windows key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows.
  • **Windows key + Home:**Minimize all windows except the selected or currently active window.
  • Windows key + Up arrow: Maximize selected window.
  • Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width.
  • **Windows key + Down arrow:**Minimize selected window.
  • **Windows key + Left arrow:**Snap selected window to the left half of the screen.
  • **Windows key +**Right arrow: Snap selected window to the right half of the screen.
  • Windows key + Alt + Up: Snap selected window to top half of the screen.
  • Windows key + Alt + Down: Snap selected window to bottom half of the screen.
  • Windows key + Shift + Left arrowor **Right arrow:**Move selected window to the left or right monitor.
  • **Windows key + Tab:**Open Task view (virtual desktops).
  • **Windows key + Ctrl + D:**Add new virtual desktop.
  • **Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow:**Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right).
  • **Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow:**Move to the previous virtual desktop (to the left).
  • Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close current virtual desktop.

These keyboard shortcuts use the Windows logo key to perform various tasks, such as launching both Windows and third-party apps.

  • **Windows key + A:**Open the Action Center.
  • Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. (Windows key + Q does the same thing.)
  • Windows key + C: Open Microsoft Copilot
  • Windows key + E: Open File Explorer.
  • Windows key + F: Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub.
  • Windows key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a network.
  • Windows key + G: Open the Game bar.
  • Windows key + H: Open the Share sidebar.
  • Windows key + I: Open the Settings menu.
  • Windows key + K: Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast).
  • Windows key + L: Lock your computer.
  • Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation.
  • Windows key + P: Open presentation or projection sidebar.
  • Windows key + R: Open the Run window.
  • Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access center.
  • **Windows key + W:**Open the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.
  • Windows key + (+) or (-): Zoom in and out with magnifier.
  • Windows key + Esc: Exit magnifier.

The F keys at the top of your keyboard can perform a number of actions when used with other keys, but they're also useful on their own.

  • F2: Rename a selected item.
  • F3: Quickly search for files in File Explorer.
  • F4: Highlight the address bar in File Explorer.
  • **F5:**Refresh your active window.
  • **F6:**Cycle through elements (tab, buttons, search bar, etc.) in a window or your desktop.
  • Alt + F8: Show login password on the start screen.
  • F10: Activate the menu bar in the active window.

You can use these keyboard shortcuts inside the Windows Command Prompt.

  • Ctrl + Cor **Ctrl + Insert:**Copy selected text to the clipboard.
  • Ctrl + Vor Shift + Insert: Paste copied text inside the Command Prompt.
  • **Ctrl + A:**Select all text on the current line. (If the current line has no text, all text inside the Command Prompt will be selected.)
  • Ctrl + Upor **Down:**Move screen one line up or down.
  • **Ctrl + F:**Search Command Prompt via Find window.
  • **Ctrl + M:**Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with mouse). Once Mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.
  • Shift + Upor **Down:**Move cursor up or down one line and select text.
  • Shift + Leftor **Right:**Move cursor left or right one character and select text.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Leftor **Right:**Move cursor left or right one word and select text.
  • Shift + Page Upor **Page Down:**Move cursor up or down one screen and select text.
  • Shift + Home or **End:**Move cursor to beginning or end of current line and select text.

**Ctrl + Shift + Home/End:**Move cursor to beginning or end of screen buffer and select text and beginning or end of Command Prompt's output.

Cheers,
Drew
![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/03855052-14a2-4005-a1fb-e59ace1e92f4?platform=QnA

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

10 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Drew - 735 Reputation points
    2025-04-22T02:04:17+00:00

    Laurie,

    You are welcome, my pleasure. Always glad when my efforts to be helpful are appreciated. Thanks for letting me know.

    Please, mark it as "Helpful"

    Cheers,
    Drew

    Image

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-11-14T23:39:37+00:00

    Super helpful😊 I dont know any shortcuts

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-15T11:54:31+00:00

    Thanks Drew.

    and try this page of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for managed and easy to use shortcuts.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-21T22:43:26+00:00

    This is so helpful. Thank you so much.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments