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Make Full Use Of Windows Shortcut Keys To Boost Productivity!

Updated on Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Written by

Vain Rowe

Approved by

Jessica Shee

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Summary: Shortcut keys for Windows 10/11 help a lot when you're burying yourself in typing or any other keys-intensive work without lifting your hands from the keyboard. This article offers you a list of shortcut keys for Windows and you will have comprehensive knowledge to shortcut keys on PC. -- iBoysoft

On condition that you're a writer, literary editor, software developer, or other people who often work with letters and characters on PC, the keyboard is the best accompaniment. At this point, the knowledge of shortcut keys for Windows 10/11 is a must, which is available for all who want to improve work efficiency.

Read this article and you will gain multiple lists of shortcut keys for Windows to navigate to the Desktop seamlessly, open/shut down windows in a flash, copy/paste in a split second, and do kinds of actions in a fast manner.

Shortcut keys for Windows basic

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or a combination of keys you can press or hold down on the keyboard to perform a slew of tasks on a PC. Making use of shortcut keys for Windows is often faster and more efficient than moving a mouse because you can keep both hands on the keyboard.

Keyboard shortcuts are available for most scenarios which indicates that you can use the same set of keyboard shortcuts in a variety of applications for the same purpose.

Now follow this guide to know a great number of shortcut keys and combinations of keys to perform different tasks.

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5 Comprehensive lists of shortcut keys for Windows

We will show you different sets of shortcut keys performed in varieties of applications. Each of them is able to complete diverse missions. Free ease to put them into use for productivity boost now!

New shortcut keys in Windows 11

Although almost shortcut keys for Windows 11 keep the same as in Windows 10, the latest Windows OS also welcomes some new ones, too. 

Shortcut KeyFunction
Win + NAccess the notification panel
Win + AOpen Quick Settings (Action Center earlier)
Win + WOpen Widgets
Win + ZOpen Snap layout/templates. Use the arrow keys to select a specific snap template
Win + Up ArrowSnap the active window to the top half of your display
Win + Down ArrowSnap the active window to the bottom half
Win + Left/Right ArrowSnap the Active window to the left/right half
Win + COpen Microsoft Teams chat

General shortcut keys for Windows

General shortcut keys for Windows mean that they are basic ones for you to put to use. It's OK if you cannot remember all of them because you can shoot a screen and then make it your desktop wallpaper.

Shortcut KeyFunctionShortcut KeyFunction
 Ctrl + ASelect all itemsCtrl + Shift + SOpen the Save As prompt
 Ctrl + CCopy the selected itemCtrl + NOpen the new window for the active app
 Ctrl + XCut the selected itemAlt + TabSwitch between running apps
Ctrl + VPaste the copied itemAlt + F4Close the active window
Ctrl + ZUndo changesAlt + F8Display your password on the login screen
Ctrl + YRedo changesShift + DeleteDelete the selected item permanently
Ctrl + Shift + Drag the iconCreate a shortcutCtrl + DeleteDelete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Shift + Select with the mouseSelect multiple itemsF5Refresh the active window
Ctrl + 0Open a file in the current appF10Open the Menu Bar for the active app
Ctrl + SSave the file or folderCtrl + PPrint the current screen
Ctrl + Shift + EscOpen Task ManagerF11Enter/Exit full-screen mode

Win key combo shortcuts for Windows

This list is all about the Win key on the keyboard. The Win key is a critical one that plays a big role as if it combines with other keys, of which the separate Win key is able to open the Start menu.

 Shortcut Key Function Shortcut Key Function
 Win + A Open the Quick Settings panel Win + DDisplay/hide the desktop
 Win + E Open File Explorer Win + Comma (,)Show desktop temporarily. Release the Win key to restore active windows
 Win + FOpen Feedback Hub Win + Shift + SOpen the Snip tool to capture a screenshot
 Win + JLaunch voice typing Win + XOpen the WinX Menu
 Win + KOpen Quick Cast settings Win + Period (.)Open the Windows emoji picker
 Win + TabOpen the Task View Win + IOpen Windows 11 Settings
 Win + Ctrl + DCreate a new virtual desktop Win + POpen the Project screen
 Win + Ctrl + F4Close the active virtual desktop Win + MMinimize all windows
 Win + Ctrl + Left/Right ArrowSwitch between previous and next virtual desktops in order of time created Win + UOpen the Accessibility center
Win + Shift + Left/Right Arrow Move the active app window from one monitor to another Win + HomeMinimize all windows except the active one
 Win + L Lock your screen Win + Shift + MMaximize all minimized windows
Win + T Cycle through programs on the Taskbar Win + 0-9Open pinned apps in the taskbar according to the number of position
 Win + ROpen the Run dialog Win +Ctrl + OOpen the on-screen keyboard
 Win + B + Enter/Return Show hidden icons Win + Space + barChange the input language and keyboard layout
 Win + SOpen the Windows search bar Win + F4 Close the active window
Win + VOpen Windows Clipboard History  

Shortcut keys for Windows in File Explorer

This list of shortcut keys for Windows 10/11 is used with the operations in Windows File Explorer, which helps a lot in improving work efficiency.

Shortcut KeyFunctionShortcut KeyFunction
Win + EOpen File ExplorerCtrl + NOpens a new File Explorer window when in File Explorer
Ctrl + EAccess the File Explorer search barCtrl + WClose the active window
Ctrl + Mouse ScrollChange the file and folder viewF4Switch to the address/location bar
F5Refresh File ExplorerF6Switch between the right/left pane
Alt + DSelect the address bar for the File ExplorerCtrl + Shift + NCreate a new folder
Alt + PShow/Hide preview panel in File ExplorerAlt + EnterOpen the Properties menu for the selected item
Shift + F10Show the classic context menu for the selected itemAlt + Left/Right ArrowGo to the next or previous folder
Alt + Up arrowGo to the parent folder/directoryNum Lock + Plus (+)Expand the selected folder
Num Lock + Minus (-)Collapse the selected folder  

Shortcut keys for Windows in Command Prompt

Windows Command Prompt is the default command-line interpreter for the Windows operating system that uses text commands to interact with a computer. Here is a table about the shortcut keys that you can use in Command Prompt.

Shortcut KeyFunction
Ctrl + ASelect All
Ctrl + MEnter Mark Mode
Ctrl + FOpen the Find dialog in Command Prompt
EscClear everything you have typed at once
Up/Down Arrow keyCycle through the command history for the active session
Page Up/DownMove the cursor up a page/down
Ctrl + Up/Down Arrow keyMove the screen up/down one line at a time
Shift + HomeMove the cursor to the start of the current line

Shortcut keys for Windows in Accessibility

This table is suitable for the users who employ the Accessibility feature on PC, which makes t easier to find the use the features included in Accessibility on Windows.

Shortcut KeyFunctionShortcut KeyFunction
Win + UOpen Accessibility centerWin + Minus/Plus (-/+)Zoom In/Out Magnifier
Ctrl + Alt + LAccess lens mode in MagnifierCtrl + Alt + Mouse scrollZoom in/out in Magnifier
Alt + Ctrl + Arrow keysPan in MagnifierWindows key + EscExit Magnifier
Ctrl + Alt + DSwitch Magnifier to docked modeCtrl + Alt + FRestore Magnifier full-screen mode
Windows key + EnterOpen NarratorWindow key + Ctrl + OOpen On-screen keyboard
Shift Key x 5Turn Sticky Keys On/OffNum Lock Key x 5Turn Toggle Keys On/Off
Hold the Right Shift key for a few secondsTurn on the Filter keys On/OffAlt + Shift + PrntscTurn High Contrast On/Off
Alt + Shift + Num LockTurn the Mouse Keys On/Off  

Wrap up

This article is a perfect guide for Windows users which presents hundreds of shortcut keys for Windows 11/10. It is of little amount if you fail to recall your memory on the shortcut keys. You can bookmark it in order to access it quickly or you can shoot a screen of the table you like to set as your PC wallpaper.