Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows keyboard shortcuts can save us time and speed up repetitive actions. Instead of using the mouse, looking for options, and clicking. All you have to do is press a couple of keys on the keyboard, and a specific action will be done immediately.

Below we have written down all the Windows keyboard shortcuts we were able to remember.

Practice them, remember them and use them. We are sure that everyone will find the right shortcut to help them. These Windows keyboard shortcuts will save you time and speed up everyday tasks at work, school, or home.

Basic Windows keyboard shortcuts

These include keyboard shortcuts such as Copy, Paste, and the like. We have made a list of keyboard shortcuts that are most used on windows operating systems as well. Here are some basic shortcuts you may need.

Ctrl + X - Copies and at the same time deletes the selected (text, file, etc.)
Ctrl + C - Copies selected (text, file, etc.)
Ctrl + V - Prints what you copied from the previous two commands.
Ctrl + Z - Returns you one step back (when you make a mistake, e.g.)
Ctrl + Y - Goes one step forward (opposite the previous shortcut)
Alt + Tab - Switches from one open application to another (window)
Alt + F4 - Closes the active window (application)
Windows logo + L - Locks the computer (displays the login screen the next time you access)
Windows logo + D - Shows and hides the contents of the desktop
F2 - Initiates an action to rename a file
F3 - Starts a search for a file or folder in File Explorer
F4 - Displays the address field in File Explorer
F5 - Refreshes the active window (application)
F6 - Switches focus from element to element within a visible application
F10 - Opens the active application menu
Alt + F8 - Displays the password in the login field
Alt + Enter - Displays the properties of the selected file or folder, application
Alt + Spacebar - Displays keyboard shortcuts for the active window
Alt + left arrow - Returns one step back (eg when browsing the Internet)
Alt + right arrow - Goes one step further (eg when browsing the Internet)
Alt + Page Up - Moves the contents of what you are looking up by one screen size
Alt + Page Down - Moves the contents of what you are looking down by one screen size
Ctrl + F4 - Closes the active document (if you have an application that displays multiple documents in full screen)
Ctrl + A - Selects everything in a window or application (eg all files in a folder)
Ctrl + D - Deletes the selected
Ctrl + R - Refreshes the active window or application
Ctrl + right arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl + left arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the last word
Ctrl + Down Arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + up arrow - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Alt + Tab - List all open applications or windows

Windows keyboard shortcuts with the Windows logo key

Here are all the keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows key for their work.

 

Windows logo key - Opens or closes the Start menu

Windows logo + A - Opens the Action Center

Windows logo + B - Switches the focus in the system icons section (then you can switch from one to the other with the arrow keys)

Windows logo + C - Opens Cortana in "listening" mode

Windows logo + D - Shows and hides applications and windows on the desktop

Windows logo + Alt + D - Shows and hides the date and time

Windows logo + E - Opens the File Explorer

Windows logo + F - Picture the screen and opens the Feedback Hub to report a Windows error

Windows logo + G - Opens the Game bar when the game is open

Windows logo + I - Opens Settings

Windows logo + L - Lock the screen or log in with another user

Windows logo + M - Lower all windows

Windows logo + O - Locks the device orientation

Windows logo + P - Select the appropriate presentation mode

Windows logo + Ctrl + Q - Opens Quick Assist

Windows logo + R - Keyboard shortcut that opens the Run window to run commands

Windows logo + S - Keyboard shortcut that opens the search

Windows logo + Shift + S - shortcut to take a screenshot of one part of the screen

Windows logo + T - Switches the focus (selects) applications attached to the Taskbar

Windows logo + U - Keyboard shortcut that opens the Ease of Access Center

Windows logo + V - Opens the Clipboard Manager if you have previously activated it in Start> Settings> System> Clipboard

Windows logo + Shift + V - Shortcut to navigate through notifications

Windows logo + X - Shortcut that opens the Quick Link menu

Windows logo + Z - Displays the available keyboard shortcuts when the application is open in full screen

Windows logo + Shift + M - Raises any previously lowered windows or applications

Windows logo + numeric key - Opens the application that is attached to the Taskbar by the serial number you press

Windows logo + Tab - Opens the Task preview

Windows logo + up arrow - Raises the window

Windows logo + down arrow - Down window

Windows logo + left arrow - Shortcut that pastes the active window to the left side of the screen so that it takes up exactly half the screen

Windows logo + left arrow - Shortcut that pastes the active window to the right side of the screen so that it takes up exactly half of the screen

Windows logo + Shift + up arrow - Wider window from top to bottom of the screen

Windows logo + Spacebar - Windows 10 keyboard shortcut to change the language

AutoHotkey

If these shortcuts don't suit you as they are, you can change them using an app called AutoHotkey. 

Note that this application requires little time to set up and write new rules. The AutoHotkey application is for advanced users. 

Here's how to change the default Windows keyboard shortcuts using the AutoHotkey app: 

Step 1: Download and install the app https://autohotkey.com/download/

Step 2: When the installation is complete, run Autohotkey (see image). Once the app opens, you can see all the instructions you need there. All complete documentation with all tutorials will be opened.

 

Step 3: Create a folder where you will keep a script, in which you will define new keyboard shortcuts. You can go to Documents and create a new folder there, you can call it whatever you want.

In that folder, right-click and go to New, then click AutoHotkey Script:

 

A new file will be created:

 

In this file, you now define (write) new or modify existing keyboard shortcuts on Windows 10.

Step 4: Start by editing the shortcuts as you see fit.

Here is an example:

If you type the following in the file you created:

^x::Send ^c
return

 

This command will, instead of Ctrl + X (cut), do the same thing that the Ctrl + C (copy) shortcut does.

Instructions to help you set everything up nicely and enter your shortcuts can be found here in the AutoHotkey documentation.