Keyboard shortcuts to save you time

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.