The Windows keyboard shortcuts that save the most time are the ones you’d otherwise reach for the mouse to do: switching windows, taking screenshots, pasting something you copied earlier and locking your PC. Learn five or six from this list and you’ll notice the difference within a day.
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Every shortcut below comes from Microsoft’s official list for Windows 11, and most also work on Windows 10. The Windows key is the one with the Windows logo, usually between Ctrl and Alt.
How to Read a Keyboard Shortcut
A plus sign means press the keys together. For Windows key + D, hold the Windows key, tap D, then let go of both. Order matters only in that you hold the first key (or keys) down while pressing the last one.
On some laptops, the top row of keys (F1 to F12) controls brightness and volume by default. If a shortcut that uses an F key doesn’t work, hold the Fn key as well.
Everyday Editing Shortcuts
Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, Ctrl + Z and the other editing shortcuts below work in almost every app, from Word and email to web forms.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| — | — |
| Ctrl + C | Copy the selected text or item |
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected text or item |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo what you just undid |
| Ctrl + A | Select everything in a document or window |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste as plain text, without the original formatting |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete the whole word to the left of the cursor |
Ctrl + Shift + V is the hidden gem here. When you copy text from a website into an email, it often brings odd fonts and colours with it. Pasting as plain text strips all that out. Microsoft lists it as a Windows shortcut, though a few apps handle it in their own way.
Switching and Arranging Windows
Alt + Tab, Windows key + Tab, Windows key + arrow keys, Windows key + D and Alt + F4 let you switch, snap and close windows without hunting through the taskbar.
1. Alt + Tab: switch between open windows
Hold Alt and tap Tab to cycle through your open windows. Let go of both keys on the one you want. It’s the single most useful shortcut for anyone with several apps open.
2. Windows key + Tab: see everything at once
This opens Task View, which shows all your open windows side by side. It’s also where you manage virtual desktops (more on those below).
3. Windows key + Left or Right arrow: snap a window
Press Windows key + Left arrow to snap the current window to the left half of the screen, then pick another window to fill the right half. It’s ideal for comparing two documents or writing while reading.
Windows key + Up arrow maximises a window. Windows key + Z opens snap layouts on Windows 11, offering grids of two, three or four windows.
4. Windows key + D: show the desktop
This hides every window to show the desktop, and pressing it again brings them all back. Windows key + M minimises all windows instead.
5. Alt + F4: close the current window
Alt + F4 closes the window you’re using. If no windows are open, it brings up the shutdown options. Ctrl + W closes the current tab or window in many apps, including web browsers.
Screenshot and Screen Recording Shortcuts
Windows key + Shift + S captures part of the screen, and Windows has other screenshot and recording shortcuts built in, so you don’t need a separate app.
- Windows key + Shift + S: Select part of the screen to capture. The image goes to the clipboard, and you can open the Snipping Tool from the notification to mark it up.
- Windows key + PrtScn: Capture the full screen and save it automatically to the Screenshots folder inside Pictures.
- Alt + PrtScn: Capture only the active window and copy it to the clipboard.
- Windows key + Shift + R: Select part of the screen to record as a video, which opens in the Snipping Tool.
On Windows 11, Microsoft notes that the PrtScn key on its own can be set to open screen snipping, so pressing it may let you choose an area rather than copying the whole screen.
File Explorer and System Shortcuts
Windows key + E, Windows key + I, Windows key + L, Ctrl + Shift + Esc and Windows key + X open common tools in one press instead of three or four clicks.
6. Windows key + E: open File Explorer
This opens File Explorer straight away. Once inside, press F2 to rename the selected file and Ctrl + A to select everything in a folder.
7. Windows key + I: open Settings
Opens the Settings app directly, which is faster than going through the Start menu.
8. Windows key + L: lock your PC
Locks the computer instantly. Get into the habit of pressing it whenever you step away from your desk, especially at work or in a shared space.
9. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: open Task Manager
Opens Task Manager directly, so you can see what’s slowing the computer down or close an app that has stopped responding. It’s quicker than Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
10. Windows key + X: open the Quick Link menu
This is the same menu you get by right-clicking the Start button. It gives quick access to system tools such as Device Manager and power settings.
Pick three shortcuts from this article and stick a small note with them on the edge of your screen for a week. Once they’re habits, remove the note and pick three more.
Little-Known Windows Shortcuts Worth Learning
Clipboard history, the emoji panel, voice typing, virtual desktops and the action center shortcuts are ones many regular Windows users have never tried, yet they’re among the handiest on the list.
11. Windows key + V: clipboard history
Clipboard history keeps a list of recent items, so you can copy several things and paste them in any order, while Ctrl + V on its own pastes only the last thing you copied. Microsoft notes it’s off by default. Press Windows key + V once and select the prompt to turn it on, or switch it on in Settings, then System, then Clipboard.
12. Windows key + period (.): emoji panel
Opens a panel of emoji, symbols and GIFs in any text box. Windows key + semicolon (;) does the same thing. It’s quick for symbols like the degree sign or currency marks, too.
13. Windows key + H: voice typing
Opens voice typing so you can dictate text instead of typing it. It works wherever you can type, as long as your PC has a microphone and the language you speak is supported.
14. Windows key + Ctrl + D: new virtual desktop
Creates a fresh, empty desktop, which is handy for keeping work and personal windows apart. Switch between desktops with Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow, and close the current one with Windows key + Ctrl + F4.
15. Windows key + A and Windows key + N
Windows key + A opens the action center on Windows 11, where the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume and brightness controls sit. Windows key + N opens notifications and the calendar.
Browser Shortcuts for Tabs
Ctrl + T, Ctrl + W, Ctrl + Shift + T and the other tab shortcuts below pay off quickly, because most of your time on a computer is probably spent in a web browser. They work in Chrome, Edge and most other browsers.
- New tab: Ctrl + T.
- Close the current tab: Ctrl + W.
- Reopen a closed tab: Ctrl + Shift + T brings back tabs in the order you closed them. Google’s Chrome help lists this one, and it’s a lifesaver after closing a tab by mistake.
- Next tab: Ctrl + Tab. Add Shift to go back.
- Address bar: Ctrl + L jumps there so you can type a new web address or search.
- Find on the page: Ctrl + F.
FAQ
Do these shortcuts work on Windows 10?
Most do. The editing, window, File Explorer and browser shortcuts are the same. A few newer ones, such as snap layouts with Windows key + Z and screen recording with Windows key + Shift + R, depend on Windows 11 and an up-to-date Snipping Tool.
What if a shortcut does nothing?
First check that you’re holding the keys together, not one after another. On a laptop, try adding the Fn key for shortcuts that use F keys or PrtScn. Some work and school computers also turn certain shortcuts off.
