No matter how much we use Windows 10 every day, that doesn’t mean that we have mastered all the shortcuts that the operating system offers. Here is a catch-up session because many of these shortcuts will allow you to significantly increase your productivity.
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The shortcuts to know at your fingertips!
If you don’t already know the shortcuts below, it’s time to revise your lesson as they are among the most used on Windows 10!
Shortcut |
Ordered |
|---|---|
Windows |
Open the Start Menu (no kidding!) |
Windows + E |
Open File Explorer |
Windows + I |
Open Settings |
Windows + L |
Change account or lock PC (it’s still faster than using CTRL + ALT + DEL, right?) |
Windows + S |
Open Windows search |
Windows + V |
Open the clipboard history and find an item previously copied |
Windows + SHIFT + S |
Take a screenshot (other shortcuts exist like the Print Screen key, |
Windows + semicolon |
Display the emoji panel |
Shortcuts to improve productivity
Instead of using the mouse, here are other shortcuts specific to Windows 10 that can save you many seconds when you work on your PC.
Shortcut |
Ordered |
|---|---|
Alt + F4 |
Close the active application |
Alt + TAB |
Switch between different applications |
Windows + D |
Instantly switch to the desktop (the shortcut can be executed again to return to the previous display) |
Windows + TAB |
View active applications |
Windows + CTRL + D |
Create an additional virtual office |
Windows + CTRL + right or left arrow |
Switch between different virtual desktops |
Windows + CTRL + F4 |
Close the virtual desktop being displayed |
Windows + up or down arrow |
Maximize or minimize the window |
Windows + direction arrow |
Hang the active window on a corner of the screen |
Shortcuts shared by many applications
Difficult to mention all the possible shortcuts since each application includes its own shortcuts. However, here are some shortcuts shared by the majority of applications, and in particular in the file explorer, Word, Edge, etc.
Shortcut |
Ordered |
|---|---|
CTRL + C |
Copy an item |
CTRL + X |
Cut an item |
CTRL + V |
Paste an item |
CTRL + A |
Select all items |
CTRL + F |
Find an item |
CTRL + P |
Print the window or page currently displayed |
CTRL + Z |
Undo the last action performed (for example move a file or rename it) |
CTRL + Y |
Restore the last action |
CTRL + S |
Save |
F5 |
Refresh the content of the active window |
Shortcuts for video game enthusiasts
Only usable when a game is running, here are some useful shortcuts for aspiring or experienced gamers.
Shortcut |
Ordered |
|---|---|
Windows + G |
Open the games bar |
Windows + Alt + G |
Record the last 30 seconds of play |
Windows + Alt + R |
Start or stop recording |
SHIFT + F4 |
I repeat, because when a game crashes there is sometimes only this solution left to close it =) (or CTRL + ALT + DEL, select the process and kill it) |
To go even further …
Here is a list of other shortcuts to use in the Windows environment. They are less commonly used but if you want to improve or train your memory, here they are.
Shortcut |
Ordered |
|---|---|
Windows + A |
Open the Notification Center |
Windows + C |
Open Cortana (if enabled) |
Windows + F |
Open the comments hub (Windows Insider) |
Windows + K |
Find and connect a new device or device |
Windows + X |
Open the Quick Link menu (also callable by right-clicking on the Start Menu) |
Windows + H |
Open the sharing window (if activated in the application) |
Windows + Z |
View the commands that are available in an application |
Windows + P |
Choose a display mode if several screens are connected to the PC (duplicate, extend, screen 1 or 2 only) |
Windows + R |
Open the command “Execute” |
Windows + Enter |
Open narrator |
Windows + CTRL + Q |
Open quick assistance |
Windows + F1 |
Open Windows Help and Support |
Windows + number (1,2,3 …) |
Open an application that is pinned to the taskbar with the number corresponding to its position |
CTRL + Alt + TAB |
See open applications |
CTRL + Shift + Esc |
Open the task manager |
Windows + Plus (+) |
Activate magnifying glass |
How do I change or disable keyboard shortcuts?
In Windows 10, it is not possible to modify the shortcuts configured by default which were presented to you a little above. On the other hand, it is possible in certain software, to create others or to modify them but they are specific to each application.
If you want to disable all shortcuts, again, this is not possible except by hacking in the registry, which is a bit too risky manipulation for me to present it here.
