Here Are All the Copy, Paste, General, File Explorer and Windows Logo Keyboard Shortcuts Available in Windows
By Timothy Tibbetts |
Anyone who's used Windows for years has discovered keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts save time and make life easier. While most people learn to copy and paste early on (CTRL+C, CTRL+V) there are many other shortcuts that you might not have heard of.
We've used these keyboard shortcuts going back to the early days of Windows, so we're going to show you our favorites three categories including copy, paste, general, File Explorer, and Windows Logo keyboard shortcuts that can save you time every day.
If you're new to using keyboard shortcuts, start with the most " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">commonly used keyboard shortcuts.
Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts
Key(s) to press - Resulting action
Ctrl + X - Cut the selected item
Ctrl + C - (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + V - (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z - Undo an action
Alt + Tab - Switch between open apps
Alt + F4 - Close the active item, or exit the active app
Windows logo key + L - Lock your PC
Windows logo key + D - Display and hide the desktop
F2 - Rename the selected item
F3 - Search for a file or folder in File Explorer
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
F11 - Maximize or minimize the active window
Alt + F8 - Show your password on the sign-in screen
Alt + Esc - Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Alt + underlined letter - 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 - Go back
Alt + Right arrow - Go forward
Alt + Page Up - Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down - Move down one screen
Ctrl + F4 - Close the active document
Ctrl + A - Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + D (or Delete) - Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R (or F5) - Refresh the active window
Ctrl + Y - Redo an action
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
Alt + Shift + arrow keys - When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified
Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys - When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder
Ctrl + arrow keys - Resize the Start menu when it's open
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar - Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key - Select a block of text
Ctrl + Esc - Open Start
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 with any arrow key - Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in 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 Logo Key shortcuts
Key(s) to press - Resulting action
Windows logo key - Open or close Start
Windows logo key + A - Open Action center
Windows logo key + B - Set focus in the notification area
Windows logo key + C - Open Cortana in listening mode
Windows logo key + Shift + C - Open the charms menu
Windows logo key + D - Display and hide the desktop
Windows logo key + Alt + D - Display and hide the date and time on the desktop
Windows logo key + E - Open File Explorer
Windows logo key + F - Open Feedback Hub and take a screenshot
Windows logo key + G - Open Game bar when a game is open
Windows logo key + H - Start dictation
Windows logo key + I - Open Settings
Windows logo key + J - Set focus to a Windows tip when one is available.
Windows logo key + K - Open the Connect quick action
Windows logo key + L - Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows logo key + M - Minimize all windows
Windows logo key + O - Lock device orientation
Windows logo key + P - Choose a presentation display mode
Windows logo key + R - Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key + S - Open search
Windows logo key + T - Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows logo key + U - Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key + V - Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key + Shift + V - Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows logo key + X - Open the Quick Link menu
Windows logo key + Y - Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop
Windows logo key + Z - Show the commands available in an app in full-screen mode
Windows logo key + period or semicolon - Open emoji panel
Windows logo key + comma - Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows logo key + Pause - Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key + Ctrl + F - Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
Windows logo key + Shift + M - Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows logo key + number - Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key + Shift + number - Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Ctrl + number - Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Alt + number - Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + number - Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator
Windows logo key + Tab - Open Task view
Windows logo key + Up arrow - Maximize the window
Windows logo key + Down arrow - Remove the current app from the screen or minimize the desktop window
Windows logo key + Left arrow - Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
Windows logo key + Right arrow - Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
Windows logo key + Home - Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on the second stroke)
Windows logo key + Shift + Up arrow - Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows logo key + Shift + Down arrow - Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining the width
Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow - Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another
Windows logo key + Spacebar - Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Spacebar - Change to a previously selected input
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter - Open Narrator
Windows logo key + forward slash - Begin IME reconversion
Windows logo key + Ctrl + V - Open shoulder taps
File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
Key(s) to press - Resulting action
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 active 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 + asterisk - Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + plus - Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + minus - Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P - Display the preview panel
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
There are dozens of other keyboard shortcuts for virtual desktops, and a couple of other areas but this list should keep you busy and help you discover at least a few keyboard shortcuts you can use every day.
Similar:
What Is the Pause and Break Key on the Keyboard For?
How to Copy the Path of a File or a Folder to the Clipboard
Add "Copy As Path' to the Right-Click or Context Menu
How to Fix Low or out of Memory Errors While Copying Files on Windows 10
How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working
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We've used these keyboard shortcuts going back to the early days of Windows, so we're going to show you our favorites three categories including copy, paste, general, File Explorer, and Windows Logo keyboard shortcuts that can save you time every day.
If you're new to using keyboard shortcuts, start with the most " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">commonly used keyboard shortcuts.
Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts
Key(s) to press - Resulting action
Ctrl + X - Cut the selected item
Ctrl + C - (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + V - (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z - Undo an action
Alt + Tab - Switch between open apps
Alt + F4 - Close the active item, or exit the active app
Windows logo key + L - Lock your PC
Windows logo key + D - Display and hide the desktop
F2 - Rename the selected item
F3 - Search for a file or folder in File Explorer
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
F11 - Maximize or minimize the active window
Alt + F8 - Show your password on the sign-in screen
Alt + Esc - Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Alt + underlined letter - 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 - Go back
Alt + Right arrow - Go forward
Alt + Page Up - Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down - Move down one screen
Ctrl + F4 - Close the active document
Ctrl + A - Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + D (or Delete) - Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R (or F5) - Refresh the active window
Ctrl + Y - Redo an action
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
Alt + Shift + arrow keys - When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified
Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys - When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder
Ctrl + arrow keys - Resize the Start menu when it's open
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar - Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key - Select a block of text
Ctrl + Esc - Open Start
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 with any arrow key - Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in 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 Logo Key shortcuts
Key(s) to press - Resulting action
Windows logo key - Open or close Start
Windows logo key + A - Open Action center
Windows logo key + B - Set focus in the notification area
Windows logo key + C - Open Cortana in listening mode
Windows logo key + Shift + C - Open the charms menu
Windows logo key + D - Display and hide the desktop
Windows logo key + Alt + D - Display and hide the date and time on the desktop
Windows logo key + E - Open File Explorer
Windows logo key + F - Open Feedback Hub and take a screenshot
Windows logo key + G - Open Game bar when a game is open
Windows logo key + H - Start dictation
Windows logo key + I - Open Settings
Windows logo key + J - Set focus to a Windows tip when one is available.
Windows logo key + K - Open the Connect quick action
Windows logo key + L - Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows logo key + M - Minimize all windows
Windows logo key + O - Lock device orientation
Windows logo key + P - Choose a presentation display mode
Windows logo key + R - Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key + S - Open search
Windows logo key + T - Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows logo key + U - Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key + V - Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key + Shift + V - Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows logo key + X - Open the Quick Link menu
Windows logo key + Y - Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop
Windows logo key + Z - Show the commands available in an app in full-screen mode
Windows logo key + period or semicolon - Open emoji panel
Windows logo key + comma - Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows logo key + Pause - Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key + Ctrl + F - Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
Windows logo key + Shift + M - Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows logo key + number - Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key + Shift + number - Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Ctrl + number - Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Alt + number - Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + number - Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator
Windows logo key + Tab - Open Task view
Windows logo key + Up arrow - Maximize the window
Windows logo key + Down arrow - Remove the current app from the screen or minimize the desktop window
Windows logo key + Left arrow - Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
Windows logo key + Right arrow - Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
Windows logo key + Home - Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on the second stroke)
Windows logo key + Shift + Up arrow - Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows logo key + Shift + Down arrow - Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining the width
Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow - Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another
Windows logo key + Spacebar - Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Spacebar - Change to a previously selected input
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter - Open Narrator
Windows logo key + forward slash - Begin IME reconversion
Windows logo key + Ctrl + V - Open shoulder taps
File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
Key(s) to press - Resulting action
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 active 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 + asterisk - Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + plus - Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + minus - Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P - Display the preview panel
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
There are dozens of other keyboard shortcuts for virtual desktops, and a couple of other areas but this list should keep you busy and help you discover at least a few keyboard shortcuts you can use every day.
Similar:
What Is the Pause and Break Key on the Keyboard For?
How to Copy the Path of a File or a Folder to the Clipboard
Add "Copy As Path' to the Right-Click or Context Menu
How to Fix Low or out of Memory Errors While Copying Files on Windows 10
How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working
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