Keyboard shortcuts are a very useful tool when using a computer. Most people hardly use any of these helpful shortcuts. Some don't even know that they exist. I will be providing some common Windows shortcut keys along with many others.
Most Commonly Used
| Keyboard Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| CTRL+C | Copy |
| CTRL+X | Cut |
| CTRL+V | Paste |
| CTRL+A | Select all |
| CTRL+Z | Undo |
| SHIFT+Arrow key | Select Text |
| CTRL+PrntScr | Copy screenshot to clipboard |
More Shortcut Keys
| Keyboard Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| DELETE | Delete |
| SHIFT+DELETE | Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin |
| CTRL while dragging an item | Copy selected item. |
| CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item | Create shortcut to selected item |
| F2 | Rename selected item |
| CTRL+RIGHT ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word |
| CTRL+LEFT ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word |
| CTRL+DOWN ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph |
| CTRL+UP ARROW | Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
| CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys | Highlight a block of text |
| SHIFT with any of the arrow keys | Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder |
| ALT+ENTER | View properties for the selected item |
| ALT+F4 | Close the active item, or quit the active program |
| ALT+Enter | Displays the properties of the selected object |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Opens the shortcut menu for the active window |
| CTRL+F4 | Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously |
| ALT+TAB | Switch between open items |
| ALT+ESC | Cycle through items in the order they were opened |
| F6 | Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop |
| F4 | Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer |
| SHIFT+F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Display the System menu for the active window |
| CTRL+ESC | Display the Start menu |
| ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name | Display the corresponding menu |
| Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu | Carry out the corresponding command |
| F10 | Activate the menu bar in the active program |
| RIGHT ARROW | Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu |
| LEFT ARROW | Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu |
| F5 | Refresh the active window |
| BACKSPACE | View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer |
| ESC | Cancel the current task |
| SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive | Prevent the CD from automatically playing |
Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts
| Keyboard Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Windows key | Open or close Start Menu |
| Windows key + A | Open Action center |
| 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 |
Dialog Box Shortcuts
| Keyboard Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| CTRL+TAB | Move forward through tabs |
| CTRL+SHIFT+TAB | Move backward through tabs |
| TAB | Move forward through options |
| SHIFT+TAB | Move backward through options |
| ALT+Underlined letter | Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option |
| ENTER | Carry out the command for the active option or button |
| SPACEBAR | Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box |
| Arrow keys | Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons |
| F1 | Display Help |
| F4 | Display the items in the active list |
| BACKSPACE | Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box |
Accessibility Shortcuts
| Keyboard Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Right SHIFT for eight seconds | Switch FilterKeys on and off |
| Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN | Switch High Contrast on and off |
| Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK | Switch MouseKeys on and off |
| SHIFT five times | Switch StickyKeys on and off |
| NUM LOCK for five seconds | Switch ToggleKeys on and off |
| Windows Key+U | Open Utility Manager |
Sources
- https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/keys_general.mspx?mfr=true
- http://www.windowscentral.com/best-windows-10-keyboard-shortcuts
