Complete List of Shortcut Keys in Windows 10
Shortcuts are combinations of keyboard keys that can be pressed together to perform certain functions on the computer. This kind of shortcut is often faster than opening a menu with the mouse that requires several clicks.
Windows 10 as one of the most popular operating systems also supports various shortcuts, ranging from general ones such as copy-paste ( copy-paste ) to shortcuts in the command prompt and shortcuts that can only be run with the Windows key on the keyboard.
The following is a complete list of shortcuts that can be useful to simplify and speed up daily computer operations.
There are at least 25 Important shortcuts
There are at least 25 important shortcuts that users need to remember because they run basic functions that are often used, both in Windows and other applications ranging from word processors to photo editing tools.
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Action |
| Ctrl + A | Select all content or text |
| Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) | Copy the selected item to the clipboard |
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected item to the clipboard |
| Ctrl + V | Paste content from clipboard |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo action ( Undo ) |
| Ctrl + Y | Repeat an action ( Redo ) |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder on the desktop or File Explorer |
| Alt + F4 | Closes the active window. If there is no active window, then the shutdown menu will appear. |
| Ctrl + D (Del) | Delete the selected item to the Recycle Bin folder |
| Shift + Delete | Delete the selected item permanently, without being put in the Recycle Bin folder |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| ESC | Close the current task window |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open application windows |
| PrtScn | Take a screenshot ( screenshot ) and save it on the clipboard |
| Windows key + I | Open the Settings app ( settings ) |
| Windows key + E | Open File Explorer |
| Windows key + A | Open Action Center |
| Windows key + D | Show and hide desktop |
| Windows key + L | Lock the computer |
| Windows key + V | Open clipboard holder |
| Windows key + period (.) or semicolon (;) | Open emoji panel |
| Windows key + PrtScn | Do a full screen screenshot, the result is saved in the “Screenshot” folder |
| Windows key + Shift + S | Take partial screenshots with the Snip & Sketch tool |
| Windows key + Left | Makes the window shift to the left ( split screen mode ) |
| Windows key + Right | Makes the window shift to the right (split screen mode ) |
Desktop shortcuts For Window 10
Windows 10 users can use these keyboard shortcut keys to open, close, and complete certain tasks more quickly across the desktop interface, including the Start menu, taskbar, settings, and more.
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Action |
| Windows key (or Ctrl + Esc) | Open the Start menu |
| Ctrl + arrow keys | Resize Start menu |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Ctrl + Shift | Switch keyboard layout |
| Alt + F4 | Close active window |
| Ctrl + F5 (or Ctrl + R) | Refresh ( refresh ) the current window |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab | View open apps |
| Ctrl + Arrow keys (to select) + Space key | Select multiple items on desktop or File Explorer |
| Alt + Underlined letter | Running commands for underlined letters in apps |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications |
| Alt + Left arrow key | Go back (back) |
| Alt + Right arrow key | Go forward |
| Alt + Page Up | Move one screen up |
| Alt + Page down | Move one screen down |
| Alt + Esc | switch between open windows in the order in which they were first opened |
| Alt + Space Key | Open context menu for the active window |
| Alt + F8 | Shows the password that was typed at the login |
| Shift + Click the application button | Open the app from the taskbar |
| Ctrl + Shift + Click application | Run the app as administrator from the taskbar |
| Shift + Right click the app | Show the window menu for apps from taskbar |
| Ctrl + Click the application group | Cycle through windows in groups from the taskbar |
| Shift + Right-click the application group | Opens group windows from the taskbar, in the order they were opened first |
| Ctrl + Left arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
| Ctrl + Right arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word |
| Ctrl + Up arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
| Ctrl + Down arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
| Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys | Select block of text |
| Ctrl + Space | Enable or disable China IME |
| Shift + F10 | Open the context menu for the selected item |
| F10 | Activate the app menu bar |
| Shift + Arrow keys | Select multiple items |
| Windows key + X | Open the Quick Link menu |
| Windows key + Number (0-9) | Open apps on the taskbar in numerical order |
| Windows key + T | Selecting the application window you want to open via the taskbar |
| Windows key + Alt + Number keys (0-9) | Open the “history” of the apps on the taskbar in numerical order |
| Windows key + D | Show and hide desktop |
| Windows key + M | Minimize all windows |
| Windows key + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows on the desktop |
| Windows key + Home | Minimize or redisplay all minimized windows, except the currently active desktop window |
| Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key | Stretches the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen |
| Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key | Maximize or minimize the active desktop window vertically while maintaining width |
| Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key | Move the active window to the monitor on the left |
| Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key | Move the active window to the monitor on the right |
| Windows key + Left arrow key | Split-screen. Move an app or window to the left |
| Windows key + Right arrow key | Split-screen. Move an application or window to the right |
| Windows key + S (or Q) | Open search ( search ) |
| Windows key + Alt + D | Open date and time in taskbar |
| Windows key + Tab | Open task view and timeline |
| Windows key + Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| Windows key + Ctrl + F4 | Close active virtual desktop |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow key | Switch to the virtual desktop on the right |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow key | Switch to the virtual desktop on the left |
| Windows key + P | Go to “Project” settings, when PC is connected with projector or other wireless display |
| Windows key + A | Open Action Center |
| Windows key + I | Open Settings |
| Backspace | Return to homepage in settings |
File Explorer Shortcuts In Windows 10
In Windows 10, File Explorer includes many keyboard shortcuts to help users complete tasks more quickly and efficiently. Here’s a list of the most useful shortcut keys for File Explorer.
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Action |
| Windows key + E | Open File Explorer |
| Alt + D | Select address bar |
| Ctrl + E (or F) | Select the search box ( search box ) |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
| Ctrl + W | Close active window |
| Ctrl + F (or F3) | Start search |
| Ctrl + scroll key | Change view of files and folders |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Expand all the folders that are in a folder in the navigation pane of the file explorer |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder on the desktop or File Explorer |
| Ctrl + L | Focus on the address bar |
| Ctrl + Shift + Number keys (1-8) | Resize folder |
| Alt + P | Show preview pane |
| Alt + Enter | Open the Properties setting for the selected item |
| Alt + Right arrow key | See next folder |
| Alt + Left arrow key (or Backspace) | View the previous folder |
| Alt + Up arrow key | Back to start folder |
| F11 | Switch full-screen mode ( full screen ) in the active window |
| F5 | Refresh File Explorer window |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| F4 | Switch focus to address bar |
| F5 | Refresh current File Explorer view |
| F6 | Switch through the elements on the screen |
| Home | Scroll the screen to the top of the window |
| End | Scroll down the window |
Command Prompt Shortcuts in Windows 10
Command Prompt or CMD is still provided in Windows 10 to run instructions on a computer with text-based commands. Here’s a list of shortcut keys that can be used in Command Prompt.
| Keyboard shortcuts | Action |
| Ctrl + A | Select all content in prompt |
| Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) | Copy selected item to the clipboard |
| Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) | Paste content from the clipboard |
| Ctrl + M | Starting sign mode |
| Ctrl + Up arrow key | Move the screen up one line |
| Ctrl + Down arrow key | Move the screen down one line |
| Ctrl + F | Open search for Command Prompt |
| Left or Right arrow key | Moves the cursor left or right in the current line |
| Up or down button | Moves the cursor up or down in the current line |
| Page up | Move up the page several lines at a time. |
| Page down | Move down the page several lines at a time. |
| Ctrl + Home | Scroll the screen to the top of the prompt |
| Ctrl + End Scroll | Scroll down the screen prompt |
Windows 10 Key Shortcuts
The Windows Key is a key with the Windows logo, which is usually found on the bottom row of the keyboard. There are a number of shortcuts that can be executed in combination with this particular key.
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Action |
| Windows key | Show and hide the Start menu |
| Windows key + A | Open Action Center |
| Windows key + S ( or Q) | Open the search panel |
| Windows key + D | Show and hide the active window on the desktop |
| Windows key + L | Lock the computer |
| Windows key + M | Minimize all windows |
| Windows key + B | Focus on the notification area on the taskbar |
| Windows key + C | Open the Cortana app |
| Windows key + F | Open the Feedback Hub app |
| Windows key + G | Opening the Game Bar app |
| Windows key + Y | Switching input between desktop and Mixed Reality |
| Windows key + O | Device orientation lock |
| Windows key + T | Selecting the application window you want to open via the taskbar |
| Windows key + Z | Switch input between desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality |
| Windows key + J | Set focus on tips for Windows 10 when available |
| Windows key + H | Unlock the dictation feature with speech recognition |
| Windows key + E | Open File Explorer |
| Windows key + I | Open Settings |
| Windows key + R | Open Run Command |
| Windows key + K | Open connect settings, to connect with wireless audio or display devices |
| Windows key + X | Open QuickLink |
| Windows key + V | Open clipboard holder |
| Windows key + W | Open clipboard holder |
| Windows key + U | Open “ease of access” in Settings |
| Windows key + P | Go to “Project” settings, when PC is connected with the projector or other wireless display |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Enter | Open Narrator Keyboard |
| Windows key + Plus (+) | Zoom in using a magnifier (magnifying glass) |
| Windows key + Minus (-) | Zoom out using a magnifier |
| Windows key + Esc | Exit the magnifier |
| Windows key + Forward-slash (/) | Start IME conversion |
| Windows key + Comma (,) | Peek at the desktop for a while |
| Windows key + Up arrow key | Maximize application window |
| Windows key + Down arrow key | Minimize app window |
| Windows key + Home | Minimize or redisplay all minimized windows, except the currently active desktop window |
| Windows key + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows on the desktop |
| Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key | Stretches the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen |
| Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key | Maximize or minimize the active desktop window vertically while maintaining width |
| Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key | Move the active window to the monitor on the left |
| Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key | Move the active window to the monitor on the right |
| Windows key + Left arrow key | Split-screen. Move an app or window to the left |
| Windows key + Right arrow key | Split-screen. Move an application or window to the right |
| Windows key + Number keys (0-9) | Open apps on the taskbar in numerical order |
| Windows key + Shift +Number keys (0-9) | Open other apps on the taskbar in numerical order |
| Windows key + Ctrl +Number keys (0-9) | Switch to the application’s last active window on the taskbar in numerical order |
| Windows key + Alt +Number keys (0-9) | Open the “history” of the apps on the taskbar in numerical order |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Shift +Number keys (0-9) | Open another instance as an application administrator on the taskbar in numerical order |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Space key | Changing the previously selected input option |
| Windows key + Space Key | Change keyboard layout and input language |
| Windows key + Tab | Open task view and timeline |
| Windows key + Ctrl + D | Create virtual desktop |
| Windows key + Ctrl + F4 | Close active virtual desktop |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow key | Switch to the virtual desktop on the right |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow key | Switch to the virtual desktop on the left |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B | Wake the device when the screen is black or blank ( black screen ) |
| Windows key + PrtScn | Do a full-screen screenshot, the result is saved in the “Screenshot” folder |
| Windows key + Shift + S | Screenshot a portion of the screen with the Snip & Sketch tool |
| Windows key + Shift + V | Open notification |
| Windows key + Ctrl + F | Go to device search in a domain network |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Q | Open Quick Assist |
| Windows key + Alt + D | Open date and time in taskbar |
| Windows key + period (.) or semicolon (;) | Open emoji panel |
| Windows key + Pause | Display the System Properties dialog box |
It turns out that there are many shortcuts that can be used in Windows 10. Which shortcuts are your mainstay?