List Of All Windows Keyboard Shortcut That You Need To Know : Ultimate Guide

How to create shortcuts for Windows key combinations? This guide will show you how to create custom keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7, 8/10, and 11.

The Windows Key (also known as the Super Key) is a special button on your computer that opens the Start Menu. If you press and hold the Windows Key, you can also open other programs or features.

There are several ways to customize the Windows Key. In this article, I'll show you how to assign new keyboard shortcuts to common tasks.

Are you having trouble memorizing all Windows keyboard shortcuts? Use this amazing cheat sheet. It allows you to type only two keys, and then press a combination of other key.

General Shortcuts

Let’s kickstart the list with the most common shortcuts that you’ll often use.

F1 [Display Help]
F2 [Rename the selected item]
F3 [Search for a file or folder]
F4 [Display the address bar list in File Explorer]
F5 [Refresh the active window]
F6 [Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop]
F10 [Activate the Menu bar in the active app]
ALT + F4 [Close the active item, or exit the active app]
ALT + ESC [Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened]
ALT + Underlined Letter in menus and dialog box options [Perform the command for that letter]
ALT + ENTER [Display properties for the selected item]
ALT + SPACEBAR [Open the shortcut menu for the active window]
ALT + LEFT ARROW [Back]
ALT + RIGHT ARROW [Forward]
ALT + PAGE UP [Move up one screen]
ALT + PAGE DOWN [Move down one screen]
ALT + TAB [Switch between open apps (except desktop apps)]
CTRL + F4 [Close the active document (in apps that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)]
CTRL + A [Select all items in a document or window]
CTRL + C or CTRL + INSERT [Copy the selected item]
CTRL + D / DELETE [DELETE the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin]
CTRL + R or F5 [Refresh the active window]
CTRL + V or SHIFT + INSERT [Paste the selected item]
CTRL + X [Cut the selected item]
CTRL + Y [Redo an action]
CTRL + Z [Undo an action]
CTRL + + or CTRL + – [Zoom in or out of a large NUMBER of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen]
CTRL + mouse scroll wheel [Change the size of desktop icons or zoom in or out of a large NUMBER of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen]
CTRL + RIGHT ARROW [Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word]
CTRL + LEFT ARROW [Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word]
CTRL + DOWN ARROW [Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph]
CTRL + UP ARROW [Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph]
CTRL + ALT + TAB [Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps]
CTRL + ARROW + SPACEBAR [Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop]
CTRL + SHIFT + ARROW [Select a block of text]
CTRL + ESC [Open the Start screen]
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC [Open Task Manager]
CTRL + SHIFT [Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available]
CTRL + SPACEBAR [Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off]
SHIFT + F10 [Display the shortcut menu for the selected item]
SHIFT + ARROW [Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document]
SHIFT + DELETE [Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first]
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]
ESC [Stop or leave the current task]

Windows key Shortcuts

Let’s check the keyboard shortcuts involving the Windows logo key. Most of them are introduced in Windows 8’s Metro UI, and can be used in Windows 8 and above.

Win + F1 [Open Windows Help and support]
Win [Display or hide the Start screen]
Win + B [Set focus in the notification area]
Win + C [Open Charms]
Win + D [Display and hide the desktop]
Win + E [Open File Explorer]
Win + F [Open the Search charm and search for files]
Win + H [Open the Share charm]
Win + I [Open the Settings charm]
Win + K [Open the Devices charm]
Win + L [Lock your PC or switch people]
Win + M [Minimize all windows]
Win + O [Lock device orientation]
Win + P [Choose a presentation display mode]
Win + Q [Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)]
Win + R [Open the Run dialog box]
Win + S [Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web]
Win + T [Cycle through apps on the taskbar]
Win + U [Open Ease of Access Center]
Win + V [Cycle through notifications]
Win + SHIFT + V [Cycle through notifications in reverse order]
Win + W [Open the Search charm and search for settings]
Win + X [Open the Quick Link menu]
Win + Z [Show the commands available in the app]
Win + , [Temporarily peek at the desktop]
Win + PAUSE [Display the System Properties dialog box]
Win + CTRL + F [Search for PCs (if you’re on a network)]
Win + SHIFT + M [Restore minimized windows on the desktop]
Win + (NUMBER 1-9) [Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, it switches to that app.]
Win + SHIFT + (NUMBER 1-9) [Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number]
Win + CTRL + (NUMBER 1-9) [Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number]
Win + ALT + (NUMBER 1-9) [Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number]
Win + CTRL + SHIFT + (NUMBER 1-9) [Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator]
Win + TAB [Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)]
Win + CTRL + TAB [Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)]
Win + SHIFT + TAB [Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order]
Win + CTRL + B [Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area]
Win + UP ARROW [Maximize the window]
Win + DOWN ARROW [Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window]
Win + LEFT ARROW [Maximize the app or desktop window to the LEFT side of the screen]
Win + RIGHT ARROW [Maximize the app or desktop window to the RIGHT side of the screen]
Win + HOME [Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)]
Win + SHIFT + UP ARROW [Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen]
Win + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW [Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width]
Win + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW [Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another]
Win + SPACEBAR [Switch input language and keyboard layout]
Win + CTRL + SPACEBAR [Change to a previously selected input]
Win + ENTER [Open Narrator]
Win + SHIFT + . [Cycle through open apps]
Win + . [Cycle through open apps]
Win + / [Initiate IME reconversion]
Win + ALT + ENTER [Open WindowsMedia Center]
Win + +/- [Zoom in or out using Magnifier]
Win + ESC [Exit Magnifier]

File explorer Shortcuts

These are the shortcuts that can be used to work with File Explorer’s windows or folders.

ALT + D [Select the address bar]
CTRL + E [Select the search box]
CTRL + F [Select the search box]
CTRL + N [Open a new window]
CTRL + W [Close the current window]
CTRL + mouse scroll wheel [Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons]
CTRL + SHIFT + E [Display all folders above the selected folder]
CTRL + SHIFT + N [Create a new folder]
NUM LOCK + * [Display all subfolders under the selected folder]
NUM LOCK + + [Display the contents of the selected folder]
NUM LOCK + – [Collapse the selected folder]
ALT + P [Display the preview pane]
ALT + ENTER [Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item]
ALT + RIGHT ARROW [View the next folder]
ALT + UP ARROW [View the folder that the folder was in]
ALT + LEFT ARROW [View the previous folder]
BACKSPACE [View the previous folder]
RIGHT ARROW [Display the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder]
LEFT ARROW [Collapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in]
END [Display the bottom of the active window]
HOME [Display the top of the active window]
F11 [Maximize or minimize the active window]

Taskbar Shortcuts

Here are the keyboard shortcuts to work with items on the Desktop’s taskbar.

SHIFT + Click a Taskbar Button [Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app]
CTRL + SHIFT + Click a Taskbar Button [Open an app as an administrator]
SHIFT + Right-click a Taskbar Button [Show the window menu for the app]
SHIFT + Right-click a Grouped Taskbar Button [Show the window menu for the groUP]
CTRL + Click a Grouped Taskbar Button [Cycle through the windows of the groUP]

Ease of access Shortcuts

These are the keyboard shortcuts to help you use your computer easily.

Hold RIGHT SHIFT for eight seconds [Turn Filter Keys on and off]
LEFT ALT + LEFT SHIFT + PRINT SCREEN [Turn High Contrast on or off]
LEFT ALT + LEFT SHIFT + NUM LOCK [Turn Mouse Keys on or off]
Press SHIFT five times [Turn Sticky Keys on or off]
Press NUM LOCK for five seconds [Turn Toggle Keys on or off]
Win + U [Open the Ease of Access Center]

Narrator Shortcuts

These are the keyboard shortcuts to help you use Narrator.

SPACEBAR or ENTER [Activate current item]
TAB + ARROW Keys [Move around on the screen]
CTRL [Stop reading]
CAPS LOCK + D [Read item]
CAPS LOCK + M [Start reading]
CAPS LOCK + H [Read document]
CAPS LOCK + V [Repeat phrase]
CAPS LOCK + W [Read window]
CAPS LOCK + PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN [Increase or decrease the volume of the voice]
CAPS LOCK + +/- [Increase or decrease the speed of the voice]
CAPS LOCK + SPACEBAR [Do default action]
CAPS LOCK + LEFT or RIGHT ARROW [Move to previous/next item]
CAPS LOCK + F2 [Show commands for current item]
Caps + ESC [Exit Narrator]

Remote desktop connection Shortcuts

These are the keyboard shortcuts to ease the use of remote desktop connection.

ALT + PAGE UP [Move between apps, left to right]
ALT + PAGE DOWN [Move between apps, right to left]
ALT + INSERT [Cycle through apps in the order that they were started]
ALT + HOME [Display the Start screen]
CTRL + ALT + BREAK [Switch between a window and full screen]
CTRL + ALT + END [Display the Windows Security dialog box]
CTRL + ALT + HOME [In full-screen mode, activate the connection bar]
ALT + DELETE [Display the system menu]
CTRL + ALT + – [Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (similar to ALT + PRINT SCREEN on a local PC)]
CTRL + ALT + + [Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (similar to Print Screen on a local PC)]
CTRL + ALT + RIGHT ARROW [TAB out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.]
CTRL + ALT + LEFT ARROW [TABout of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.]

windows 10/11 shortcuts

General Keyboard Shortcuts

Let’s start with the general keyboard shortcuts that you’ll readily use everyday.

Press the keys	to perform the action
Ctrl + X	Cut the selection
Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Ins	Copy the selection
Ctrl + V or Shift + Ins	Paste the selection
Ctrl + Z	Undo the last action
Alt + F4	Close or exit the active app
F2	Rename the selected item
F6	Cycle through the on-screen elements
F10	Activate the Menu bar in the current app
Alt + F8	Display your password on the login screen
Alt + Esc	Cycle through apps in their opening order
Alt + *Underlined letter	Perform the action for the underlined letter
Alt + Enter	Display the Properties for the selected item
Alt + Spacebar	Show the quick menu for the active window
Alt + ←	Navigate back
Alt + →	Navigate forward
Alt + Page Up	Scroll up one screen
Alt + Page Down	Scroll down one screen
Ctrl + F4	Close the active tab or document
Ctrl + A	Select all items or content in the window
Ctrl + D or Del	Delete the selected item into the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R or F5	Refresh the active window
Ctrl + Y	Redo the last undo-ed action
Ctrl + →	Navigate the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl + ←	Navigate the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl + ↓	Navigate the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + ↑	Navigate the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Arrow keys	Move a group or a tile in focus in either direction on the Start menu
Ctrl + Arrow keys + Spacebar	Select multiple items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl + Shift + Any arrow key	Select a block of text
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Shift	Switch between the available keyboard layouts
Ctrl + Spacebar	Turn on/off the Chinese input method editor
Shift + F10	Display the context menu for the selected item
Shift + Any arrow key	Select text in the document or multiple items in a window or on the desktop
Shift + Del	Delete the selected item directly without first sending it to the Recycle Bin
→	Open the menu to the right or open a submenu
←	Open the menu to the left or close a submenu
Esc	Stop or abandon the current task

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Below are the keyboard shortcuts to master the File Explorer and traverse around the Windows filesystem quickly than ever.

Press the keys	to perform the action
Alt + D or F4	Select the address bar
Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F or F3	Select the search box
Ctrl + N	Open a new window
Ctrl + W	Close the current window
Ctrl + Mouse scroll	Change the size and appearance of icons
Ctrl + Shift + E	Display all sub-folders of the parent folder
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create a new folder
Num Lock + *	Display all subfolders of the selected folder
Num Lock + +	Display all contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + –	Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P	Display the preview panel
Alt + Enter	Open the Properties for the selected item
Alt + →	Go to the next folder
Alt + ↑	Go to the parent folder
Alt + ← or Backspace	Go to the previous folder
→	Expand the selected folder (if it’s collapsed) or select its sub folder
←	Collapse the selected folder (if it’s expanded) or select its parent folder
End	Scroll to the bottom of the current window
Home	Scroll to the top of the current window
F11	Maximize or minimize the current window

Windows Key keyboard shortcuts

Here are the keyboard shortcuts starting with the Win (Windows) key that help you open numerous tools and achieve various tasks by pressing a few keys.

Press the keys	to perform the action
Win or Ctrl + Esc	Open or close the Start menu
Win + A	Open the Action center
Win + B	Focus the notification area
Win + Shift + C	Open Cortana in listening mode
Win + D	Show or hide the desktop
Win + Alt + D	Show or hide the Calendar quick action
Win + E	Open the File Explorer
Win + F	Open the Feedback Hub
Win + G	Open the Game bar when playing a game
Win + H	Open the Share charm
Win + I	Open the Settings app
Win + J	Set focus to a Windows tip if available
Win + K	Open the Connect quick action
Win + L	Lock your PC or switch user accounts
Win + M	Minimize all visible windows
Win + O	Lock the device orientation
Win + P	Select a presentation display mode
Win + R	Launch the Run tool
Win + S	Open search (aka Cortana)
Win + T	Cycle through apps shown on the taskbar
Win + U	Open the Ease of Access Center
Win + V	Cycle through available notifications
Win + Shift + V	Cycle through available notifications in reverse order
Win + X	Open the Quick Links menu
Win + Z	Show the commands present in a full-screen mode app
Win + ,	Peek at the desktop temporarily
Win + Pause	Show the System Properties dialog box
Win + Ctrl + F	Search for computers on your network
Win + Shift + M	Restore or expand all minimized windows
Win + Number	Start or switch to the app pinned to the taskbar in the position equal to the number
Win + Shift + Number	Start the app (even if opened) pinned to the taskbar in the position equal to the number
Win + Ctrl + Number	Switch to the recent active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position equal to the number
Win + Alt + Number	Show the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position equal to the number
Win + Ctrl + Shift + Number	Start a new instance of the app (as an administrator) located on the taskbar in the position equal to the number
Win + ↑	Maximize the active window
Win + ↓	Minimize the active window
Win + ←	Maximize or place the active window to the left side of the screen
Win + →	Maximize or place the active window to the right side of the screen
Win + Home	Minimize or restore all windows except the active application window
Win + Shift + ↑	Stretch the active window vertically on the screen while maintaining width
Win + Shift + ↓	Minimize or restore the active window vertically while maintaining the width
Win + Shift + ← or →	Move the current window from one monitor to another (if connected)
Win + Spacebar	Change input language plus keyboard layout
Win + Ctrl + Spacebar	Switch to the previously chosen/set input
Win + Enter	Open the Narrator
Win + /	Start IME re-conversion
Win + +	Zoom in using the Magnifier
Win + –	Zoom out using the Magnifier
Win + Esc	Exit the Magnifier

Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts

Find below the keyboard shortcuts for Command Prompt that help you increase your productivity while using the Cmd tool in Windows.

Press the keys	to perform the action
Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert	Copy the selected text
Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert	Paste the selected text
Ctrl + M	Enter the Mark mode
Alt + Selection key	Start selection in block mode
Arrow Keys	Move the cursor in the specified direction
Page Up	Scroll the cursor up by one page
Page Down	Scroll the cursor down by one page
Ctrl + Home	Move the cursor to the start of the buffer (in Mark mode)
Ctrl + End	Move the cursor to the end of the buffer (in Mark mode)
Ctrl + ↑	Scroll one line up in the output history
Ctrl + ↓	Scroll one line down in the output history
Ctrl + Home	Move the command viewport to the top of the buffer (in History navigation) and delete all characters to the left of the cursor
Ctrl + End	Move the command viewport to the command line (in History navigation) and delete all characters to the right of the cursor

Dialog Box keyboard shortcuts

Below are some keyboard shortcuts useful for controlling and handling the dialog boxes using just the keyboard.

Press the keys	to perform the action
F4	Show the items in the active list
Ctrl + Tab	Switch the tabs in forward direction
Ctrl + Shift + Tab	Switch the tabs in backward direction
Ctrl + N (1-9)	Switch to the nth tab directly
Tab	Move forward through options
Shift + Tab	Move backward through options
Alt + *Underlined letter	Perform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter
Spacebar	Click or select an active button, or select or clear an active check box
Backspace	Go to the parent folder if it’s selected in the Open or Save As dialog box
Arrow Keys	Select or move to a button from the list of active buttons

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

Here are some keyboard shortcuts for opening apps and performing other actions on the Taskbar quickly than ever.

Press the keys	to perform the action
Shift + Click a Taskbar button	Open a new instance of an app quickly
Ctrl + Shift + Click a Taskbar button	Open an app (as an administrator)
Shift + Right-click a taskbar button	Show the window quick menu for the app
Shift + Right-click a grouped taskbar button	Show the window quick menu for the app group
Ctrl + Rlick a grouped taskbar button	Cycle through the concurrent opened windows of the app group

Multi-tasking keyboard shortcuts

Below are some keyboard shortcuts to multi-task faster and gain productivity while using Windows 10.

Press the keys	to perform the action
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps
Win + Tab	Open the Task View
Win + Ctrl + D	Add a virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + ←	Switch to the virtual desktop on the left
Win + Ctrl + →	Switch to the virtual desktop on the right
Win + Ctrl + F4	Close the active or current virtual desktop

That was all about keyboard shortcuts for improving productivity and doing more in less time on Windows 10. Hope you find these helpful and don’t forget to practice them daily to become a power user. (Source: Multiple resources on windows tricks)

Techy crew

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List Of All Windows Keyboard Shortcut That You Need To Know : Ultimate Guide

General Shortcuts

Windows key Shortcuts

File explorer Shortcuts

Taskbar Shortcuts

Ease of access Shortcuts

Narrator Shortcuts

Remote desktop connection Shortcuts

windows 10/11 shortcuts

General Keyboard Shortcuts

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Windows Key keyboard shortcuts

Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts

Dialog Box keyboard shortcuts

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

Multi-tasking keyboard shortcuts

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List Of All Windows Keyboard Shortcut That You Need To Know : Ultimate Guide

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General Shortcuts

Windows key Shortcuts

File explorer Shortcuts

Taskbar Shortcuts

Ease of access Shortcuts

Narrator Shortcuts

Remote desktop connection Shortcuts

windows 10/11 shortcuts

General Keyboard Shortcuts

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Windows Key keyboard shortcuts

Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts

Dialog Box keyboard shortcuts

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

Multi-tasking keyboard shortcuts

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