Keyboard shortcuts to save you time
March 21, 2017 -
Technology & Software
Windows 10 includes lots of keyboard shortcuts that can save you time. These often replace multiple mouse clicks. Whilst not all of these will be useful, and memorising them all would be a bit of a task, learning and using the ones that are most important to you is a great way to enhance your Windows 10 experience
Keyboard shortcut | Action |
Windows key | Open or close Start Menu. |
Windows key + A | Open Action centre. |
Windows key + C | Open Cortana in listening mode. |
Windows key + D | Display and hide the desktop. |
Windows key + E | Open File Explorer. |
Windows key + G | Open Game bar when a game is open. |
Windows key + H | Open the Share charm. |
Windows key + I | Open Settings. |
Windows key + K | Open the Connect quick action. |
Windows key + L | Lock your PC or switch accounts. |
Windows key + M | Minimize all windows. |
Windows key + R | Open Run dialog box. |
Windows key + S | Open Search. |
Windows key + U | Open Ease of Access Center. |
Windows key + X | Open Quick Link menu. |
Windows key + Number | Open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. |
Windows key + Left arrow key | Snap app windows left. |
Windows key + Right arrow key | Snap app windows right. |
Windows key + Up arrow key | Maximize app windows. |
Windows key + Down arrow key | Minimize app windows. |
Windows key + Comma | Temporarily peek at the desktop. |
Windows key + Ctrl +D | Add a virtual desktop. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow | Switch between virtual desktops. |
Windows key + Ctrl + F4 | Close current virtual desktop. |
Windows key + Enter | Open Narrator. |
Windows key + Home | Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke). |
Windows key + PrtScn | Capture a screenshot and save in Screenshots folder. |
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow | Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen. |
Windows key + Tab | Open Task view. |
Windows key + “+” key | Zoom in using the magnifier. |
Windows key + “-” key | Zoom out using the magnifier. |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager. |
Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps. |
Alt + Left arrow key | Go back. |
Alt + Right arrow key | Go foward. |
Alt + Page Up | Move up one screen. |
Alt + Page down | Move down one screen. |
Ctrl + Alt +Tab | View open apps |
Ctrl + C | Copy selected items to clipboard. |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected items. |
Ctrl + V | Paste content from clipboard. |
Ctrl + A | Select all content. |
Ctrl + Z | Undo an action. |
Ctrl + Y | Redo an action. |
Ctrl + D | Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin. |
Ctrl + Esc | Open the Start Menu. |
Ctrl + Shift | Switch the keyboard layout. |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager. |
Ctrl + F4 | Close the active window. |