Windows keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. If you are trying to take a screenshot or screengrab, see How to take and annotate screenshots.

To improve your productivity, here’s the list of essential keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10, and — in addition — some of our favorite “old but gold” shortcuts known from previous versions of Windows:

Keyboard shortcutDescription
WinShow the Windows 10 Start Menu
Win + TabLaunch Windows 10 Task View
Win + QSearch the web and Windows with Cortana (speech)
Win + SSearch the web and Windows with Cortana (keyboard input)
Win + IOpen Windows 10 settings
Win + AOpen Windows 10 notifications
Win + LLock your Windows 10 device
Win + Ctrl + DCreate new virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + F4Close current virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + ⬅️Left/➡️RightSwitch between virtual desktops
Win + ⬅️Left/➡️Right/⬆️Up/⬇️DownPosition windows on your screen
E.g. Win + ⬅️Left moves the current window to the left half of your screen. If you use Win + ⬆️Up afterwards, the current window will be placed in the upper left quarter of your screen.
And, what’s very handy in my opinion: If you release the Win key after positioning a window, Task View shows up on the opposite side of the positioned window to select and position another app.
Win + HShare content (if supported by current app)
Win + KConnect to wireless displays and audio devices
Win + XOpen Start button context menu
Win + GOpens the Windows 10 Game Bar to take game screenshots and record gaming videos of Windows 10 games (works in any game app, e.g. Microsoft Solitaire Collection)

And, of course, these “old but gold” shortcuts known from previous Windows versions still work:

Keyboard shortcutDescription
Win + DShow Windows desktop
Win + EOpen Windows Explorer
Win + SpaceSwitch keyboard input language (if you have added at least a second one)
Win + Shift + ⬅️Left/➡️RightMove current Window from one monitor to another (when using a multiple monitor setup)
Win + 1,2,3,…Open programs that are pinned to task bar
E.g. if first pinned program on your task bar is Windows Explorer (from left to right), the shortcut Win + 1 opens Windows Explorer for you.
Win + RRun a command
Ctrl + Shift + EscOpen the Windows Task Manager
Win + PProject a screen
Alt + TabSwitch to previous window
Alt + SpaceRestore, move, size, minimize, maximize or close current window. Also works like a charm for Windows 10 modern apps.
Alt + F4a) Close current window
b) If you’re on your Windows 10 desktop, open Power dialogue to shut down or restart Windows, put your device in sleep mode, sign out or switch the current user

Additional shortcuts (not just Windows keyboard shortcuts):

Keyboard shortcutDescription
Win + ⬇️Down arrowMinimize current window
Win + ⬆️Up arrowMaximize current window
Win + MMinimize all windows
Win + Shift + ⬆️Up arrowStretch windows to top and bottom but retain width
Win + EnterOpen narrator
Win + Shift + MRestore all minimize windows (useful after a Win + M)
Win + HomeMinimize all windows except the one you’re actively using
Alt + ⬆️UpGo up one level in File Explorer (aka Windows Explorer)
Alt + ⬅️Leftgo to the previous folder in File Explorer
Alt + ➡️Rightgo to the next folder in File Explorer
Win + OLock orientation
Win + PrtscScreen grab to image to Pictures\Screenshots
You can still just press Prtsc and then Ctrl + V to paste it in Word, PPT, and/or your favorite image manipulation program.
Win + “+”Magnify in
Win + “-“Magnify out
Win + EscExit magnify
Win + TCycle through taskbar apps
Win + F1Open help support in browser? Really should open new app
Win + BFocus to notification area
Win + “,”Desktop peek (temporarily hide apps to briefly show the desktop)
Win + Shift + NumberOpen new instance of pinned taskbar item
E.g. Win + 2 launches the app in your second taskbar slot.
Win + Ctrl + Shift + NumberSame as above, but launch the app with admin powers enabled
Win + UOpen the Ease of Access Center
Win + SpaceSwitch input language and keyboard
F2Rename the selected item
Shift + ⬅️LeftHighlight text to the left of the cursor
Shift + ➡️RightHighlight text to the right of the cursor
Ctrl + Shift + ⬅️Left (or ➡️Right)Highlight blocks of text instead of just characters at a time
Ctrl + ASelect all item
Ctrl + XCut (i.e. to move) the selected item
Ctrl + CCopy the selected item
Ctrl + VPaste copied/cut item
Ctrl + ZUndo an action (changes)
Ctrl + YRedo an action (changes)
Shift + DeleteDelete files without sending them to the Recycle Bin
Alt + EnterShow the properties of the currently selected file
Ctrl + Shift + EnterRun the selected app as an administrator

Find even more Windows keyboard shortcuts at this link.

I’m pretty sure there are much more keyboard shortcuts you can use to speed up your work with Windows OS. If I miss one of your favorite(s), please let me know! I will try to keep the above list up to date.