Keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10

windows10kbshrt-800x445.jpg

Windows 10 was designed with touchscreens in mind, but Microsoft hasn't forgotten more traditional PC users. The operating system comes with plenty of built-in keyboard shortcuts -- including new shortcuts for the Command Prompt -- for those who prefer a physical keyboard.

Here's a handy list of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for navigating Windows 10.

The basics

  • Ctrl + A: Select all items in a window.

  • Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected or highlighted item (e.g. text, images and so on).

  • Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste selected or highlighted item.

  • Ctrl + X: Cut selected or highlighted item.

  • Ctrl + Z: Undo previous action.

  • Ctrl + Y: Redo action.

  • Ctrl + N: When File Explorer is your current window, open a new File Explorer window with the same folder path as the current window.

  • Windows key + F1: Open "how to get help in Windows 10" Bing search in default browser.

  • Alt + F4: Close the current app or window.

  • Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps or windows.

  • Shift + Delete: Delete selected item permanently (skip the Recycle Bin).

Start menu and taskbar

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close and otherwise control the Start menu and the taskbar.

  • Windows key or Ctrl + Esc: Open Start menu.

  • Windows key + X: Open the secret Start menu.

  • Windows key + T: Cycle through the apps (including pinned apps) on the taskbar.

  • Windows key + [Number]: Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar. For example, if you have Edge pinned in the first position on the taskbar and you click Windows key + 1, Edge will open. If the app is already open, a new instance or window will open.

  • Windows key + Alt + [Number]: Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar.

  • Windows key + D: Show or hide desktop (Windows key + , will display the desktop briefly).

The desktop: Windows, Snap Assist and virtual desktops

These shortcuts control how individual windows act on your desktop, including virtual desktops.

  • Windows key + M: Minimize all open windows.

  • Windows key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows.

  • Windows key + Home: Minimize all windows except the selected or currently active window.

  • Windows key + Up arrow: Maximize selected window.

  • Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width.

  • Windows key + Down arrow: Minimize selected window.

  • Windows key + Left arrow or Right arrow: Snap selected window to the left or right half of the screen. (If the window is already there, Windows key + Up or Down will snap it into a quadrant.)

  • Windows key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow: Move selected window to the left or right monitor.

  • Windows key + Tab: Open Task view (virtual desktops).

  • Windows key + Ctrl + D: Add new virtual desktop.

  • Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow: Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right).

  • Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow: Move to the previous virtual desktop (to the left).

  • Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close current virtual desktop.

The Windows key

These keyboard shortcuts use the Windows logo key to perform various tasks, such as launching both Windows and third-party apps.

  • Windows key + A: Open the Action Center.

  • Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. (Windows key + Q does the same thing.)

  • Windows key + C: Open Cortana in listening mode (similar to saying "Hey, Cortana").

  • Windows key + E: Open File Explorer.

  • Windows key + F: Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub.

  • Windows key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a network.

  • Windows key + G: Open the Game bar.

  • Windows key + H: Open the Share sidebar.

  • Windows key + I: Open the Settings menu.

  • Windows key + K: Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast).

  • Windows key + L: Lock your computer.

  • Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation.

  • Windows key + P: Open presentation or projection sidebar.

  • Windows key + R: Open the Run window.

  • Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access center.

  • Windows key + W: open the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.

  • Windows key + Print Screen: Take a screenshot of the entire desktop and save it to the Screenshots folder in the Pictures folder.

  • Windows key + (+) or (-): Zoom in and out with magnifier.

  • Windows key + Esc: Exit magnifier.

Command Prompt

You can use these keyboard shortcuts inside the Windows 10 Command Prompt.

  • Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected text to the clipboard.

  • Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste copied text inside the Command Prompt.

  • Ctrl + A: Select all text on current line. (If current line has no text, all text inside the Command Prompt will be selected.)

  • Ctrl + Up or Down: Move screen one line up or down.

  • Ctrl + F: Search Command Prompt via Find window.

  • Ctrl + M: Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with mouse). Once Mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.

  • Shift + Up or Down: Move cursor up or down one line and select text.

  • Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one character and select text.

  • Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one word and select text.

  • Shift + Page Up or Page Down: Move cursor up or down one screen and select text.

  • Shift + Home or End: Move cursor to beginning or end of current line and select text.

  • Ctrl + Shift + Home/End: Move cursor to beginning or end of screen buffer and select text and beginning or end of Command Prompt's output.

For more detailed shortcuts click the link here.

Hein LewiesComment