Windows shortcuts are a great way to ensure your work and daily usage of your PC are efficient and smooth.
These combinations of keys provide an alternate way to perform various actions typically done with a mouse.
Get to know the top important Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts with our guide!
Let’s start with the most common keyboard shortcuts you will surely find useful in your daily PC usage.
1. Editing
Copying and pasting various content such as links, pictures, and text may come in handy in countless situations while browsing the internet, writing, communicating with other users, and more. Some of the basic editing shortcuts include:
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| copy | Ctrl c (or Ctrl Insert) |
| paste | Ctrl v (or Shift Insert) |
| cut | Ctrl x |
| undo | Ctrl z |
| redo | Ctrl y |
| select all content | Ctrl a |
| select block of text | Ctrl Shift arrow keys |
| make a cropped screenshot with Snip & Sketch | Win Shift s |
To make a screenshot and store it in the Clipboard bin you can of course use the PrtSc button – if you want to save it in the Screenshots folder located in C:\Users\username\Pictures, you can use the Win PrtSc combination.
To open the Clipboard bin, use the Win v combination.
2. Searching
To open the Search box, you can use the Win s shortcut.
Many users don’t know that there’s an easier way to search for something though: you can just press the Windows key (or Ctrl Esc combination) to open the Start menu, then start typing, and the system will start searching for what you’re looking for automatically.
3. App management
One of the most popular Windows shortcuts is Alt Tab, allowing users to switch between their open apps. You can also view open apps by pressing Ctrl Alt Tab.
Here are some other useful shortcuts to manage your apps:
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| to cycle through open windows | Alt Esc |
| to open context menu for the active window | Alt Spacebar |
| this combination will move and snap your app window to selected direction; you can easily put a maximized window on one part of the screen or change its size so it fits ¼ of the screen, and by continually pressing Win down arrow you will minimize the window completely, | Win arrow keys |
| to minimize apps and windows to the taskbar | Win m |
| to restore minimized windows on the desktop | Win Shift m |
| to minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window | Win Home |
| to close the active window (if no active window is present, this shortcut makes a shutdown menu appear). | Alt F4 |
If you have your favorite applications pinned to your taskbar (Quick Access/Quick Launch feature), you may enjoy launching them easily with the Win number (from 1 to 0) shortcut. Using this combination will launch the pinned items left to right with the corresponding number.
4. Desktop and Windows access
To display and hide your desktop, you can use the Win d shortcut. You can also take a quick peek at your desktop by using the Win , (comma) shortcut.
Additionally, you can access the Task View by using the Win Tab shortcut, allowing you to smoothly switch between multiple desktops, currently open apps, and previously opened documents.
Various system access-related functions can be performed by using keyboard shortcuts as well, including:
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Locking Windows (without logging off) | Win l |
| Logging off quickly | Win x, then u, then l |
| Shutting down the PC quickly | Win x, then u, then s |
Advanced Windows 10 shortcuts
Once you’re familiar with the basic Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts, you may find it tempting to discover more functions they offer – and we’re here to help you! Get to know some more advanced Win10 shortcuts with the following lists.
1. Tools and menus
Opening various Windows 10 tools, menus, and apps can be easier! These shortcuts may be a bit more obscure than the basic ones mentioned above, but you will surely find them useful as well:
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| to open File Explorer | Win e |
| to open Task Manager | Ctrl Shift Esc |
| to open Settings | Win i |
| to open Run command | Win r |
| to open the notifications menu (Action Center) | Win a |
| to open the emoji menu | Win . |
| to open the Wireless devices menu | Win k |
| to open the date and time in the Taskbar | Win Alt d |
| to open the Feedback Hub/Help | Win f |
| to launch Cortana | Win c |
2. Advanced desktop and file features
Here are some of the more advanced shortcuts you can use on your desktop or to manage your files and items:
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| create a new folder on the desktop or File Explorer | Ctrl Shift n |
| select multiple items on the desktop or File Explorer | Ctrl arrow keys Spacebar, rename selected item: F2, |
| delete the selected item (move it to the Recycle Bin) | Ctrl d or Delete |
| delete the selected item (permanently, skipping Recycle Bin) | Shift Delete |
| refresh current window | Ctrl F5 (or Ctrl r) |
3. Multiple monitor features
With more than one monitor usage gaining popularity in recent years, many Windows users will find these keyboard shortcuts handy:
- extend or duplicate desktop to the external monitor (Project settings): Win p,
- move the whole window app to the next screen: Shift Win left or right arrow.
Summary
We hope you enjoyed our list of top Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts – as you can see, they may come in handy more than you think! Of course, there is plenty more to discover, which we highly recommend doing to make your PC experience even more pleasurable and efficient. Enjoy!