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The best Windows keyboard methods save time because they let you do simple things without having to use the mouse or look through a menu. Here is a list of all the important Windows keyboard shortcuts you should use, as well as a few others that can be helpful in certain scenarios.
No matter how much you think you know about Windows keyboard keys, you’re wrong. The nearly 40-year-old operating system has so many shortcuts that it’s easy to miss some that are surprisingly useful. Also, some shortcuts have changed if you recently moved from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
No matter how often you use these efficient key combinations in your daily work, you should learn as many as you can. One shortcut will only save you a few seconds on a job, but over weeks, months, and years, you’ll save a lot of time. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the 20 most important keyboard prompts for new Microsoft Windows computers.
Benefits of Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows
Using keyboard shortcuts in Windows can make you more productive and improve your general computing experience in many ways. Here are a few of the main pros:
- Streamlined Workflow: Shortcuts on the keyboard often give you quick access to certain features, menus, or programs. This streamlined process can make using a computer easier and reduce the number of clicks and steps you need to take.
- Consistency: Many keyboard options work the same way in different Windows programs and in Windows itself. Once you know popular shortcuts, you can use them in different programs, which makes it easier to work with them.
- Accessibility: Shortcuts on the keyboard can be especially helpful for people who have trouble moving around or who don’t want to use a mouse. They give you another way to move around and communicate with the computer.
- Multitasking: Shortcuts on the keyboard make it easy to switch quickly between programs, windows, and tabs. This is especially helpful when you are doing more than one thing at once and need to switch quickly between jobs or projects.
Best Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
By using shortcuts on the keyboard, rather than browsing through menus with the mouse, you can do things considerably more quickly. They remove the requirement that you switch your hand continuously between the keyboard and the mouse, hence minimizing the amount of time it takes to carry out various tasks.
General Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Win + D | Show/hide desktop |
Win + E | Open File Explorer |
Win + L | Lock computer |
Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps |
Alt + F4 | Close active app/window |
Win + Tab | Open Task View |
Ctrl + C | Copy selected item |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected item |
Ctrl + V | Paste copied/cut item |
Ctrl + Z | Undo |
Ctrl + Y | Redo |
Text Editing Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl + A | Select all |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected text |
Ctrl + C | Copy selected text |
Ctrl + V | Paste copied/cut text |
Ctrl + Z | Undo |
Ctrl + Y | Redo |
Ctrl + F | Find |
Ctrl + H | Replace |
Ctrl + B | Bold |
Ctrl + I | Italic |
Ctrl + U | Underline |
Ctrl + S | Save |
Web Browsing Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl + T | Open new tab |
Ctrl + W | Close current tab |
Ctrl + Tab | Switch between tabs |
Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen last closed tab |
Ctrl + F | Find on page |
Ctrl + N | Open new browser window |
Ctrl + D | Bookmark current page |
Ctrl + P | |
F5 | Refresh page |
Ctrl + L or F6 | Highlight address bar |
Productivity Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Win + Arrow Keys | Manage windows (snap, minimize, maximize) |
Win + Number (1-9) | Open corresponding app on taskbar |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
Alt + F4 | Close active app/window |
Ctrl + Shift + N | Create new folder |
Ctrl + F5 | Refresh active window |
Win + L | Lock computer |
Win + I | Open Settings |
Win + P | Project to a second screen |
Enhancing Efficiency with Lesser-Known Windows Shortcuts
Yes, there are many Windows keyboard tools that not many people know about that can help you work faster and make your computer experience even better. Here are some shortcuts that are not as well known that you might find useful:
- Win+D: Brings up the desktop and minimizes or restores all open windows. When you press it again, the windows go back to how they were before.
- Use Alt+Tab to switch between open programs. Hold down the “Alt” key and press “Tab” to switch between the apps you have open. Let go of the “Alt” key to switch to the chosen app.
- Alt + F4 closes the window or app that is currently open. This can be faster than shifting the mouse to the button to close the window.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Opens Task Manager right away, letting you handle processes and apps that are already running.
FAQs
Some of the most useful Windows keyboard shortcuts include Ctrl + C (copy), Ctrl + V (paste), Ctrl + Z (undo), Ctrl + A (select all), Alt + Tab (switch between open windows), and Windows key + L (lock computer).
To use Windows keyboard shortcuts, press and hold down the first key in the combination (such as Ctrl, Alt, or Windows key), and then press the second key. For example, to copy text, press and hold down Ctrl, and then press C.
To create custom keyboard shortcuts in Windows, you can use third-party tools such as AutoHotkey or SharpKeys. These programs allow you to assign specific key combinations to perform a variety of tasks, such as launching a program or opening a file.