Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts List – Keyboard Shortcut Combinations
One of the most useful Windows keyboard shortcuts is [CTRL]+[SHIFT]+[ESC]. This opens the Windows Task Manager where you can end any program and see the performance of your computer in real time. ADDucation’s list of *Microsoft Windows keyboard shortcuts includes all the really useful PC keyboard combinations. They will save you time and increase your productivity in everyday use. Most people can use the Clipboard cut and paste keyboard shortcut. ADDucation’s Windows shortcuts cheatsheet take you to the next level. It includes all the useful Windows keyboard shortcuts. We’ve highlighted our favorites in bold in the second column.
- Windows keyboard shortcuts list compiled by A C, last updated .
How to Use Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
- Hold down the key in the first column
- Press the key(s) in the second column
ADDucation Tips: Click column headings with arrows to sort windows keyboard shortcuts. Click the ➕ icon to expand columns on tablets and mobiles. Resize browser to see more/less columns. Start typing in Filter box below to find Windows shortcuts quickly.
| Main Key | + Combination Key(s) | What this Windows keyboard shortcuts does | Category | Memory Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALT | Shows menu commands and which letters activate them in many programs. | Windows feature | ||
| ALT | BACKSPACE | Undo an action. | Windows feature | Go BACK |
| ALT | F4 | Exit active program. | Windows feature | |
| ALT | TAB | Cycle through programs by holding ALT and pressing TAB to cycle through open tasks. Release to select application currently displayed. | Navigation | |
| ALT | any UNDERLINED LETTER | Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter. | Dialog Boxes | |
| CTRL | A | Select all items in documents or many other windows. | Windows feature | A for ALL |
| CTRL | ALT + DEL | Switch User / Task Manager / Sign out. | Windows feature | |
| CTRL | ARROW DOWN | Go to next line break. | Text editing. | |
| CTRL | ARROW LEFT | Move cursor to beginning of previous word. | Navigation | |
| CTRL | ARROW LEFT + BACKSPACE | Delete word to the left of cursor. | Text Editing | |
| CTRL | ARROW RIGHT | Move cursor to beginning of next word. | Navigation | |
| CTRL | ARROW UP | Go to previous line break (paragraph). | Text editing | |
| CTRL | B | Bold. | Text editing | B for BOLD |
| CTRL | C | Copy selected item(s). One of the most commonly used Windows keyboard shortcuts. | Windows feature | C for COPY |
| CTRL | DEL | Delete word to the right of cursor. | Text editing | |
| CTRL | DOWN ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph. | Text editing | |
| CTRL | END | Go to end of document or page. | Navigation | |
| CTRL | F | Search. | Search | F for FIND |
| CTRL | F4 | Close active document. | Windows feature | |
| CTRL | H | Search and replace. | Search | |
| CTRL | HOME | Go to start of document / top of page. | Navigation | No place like HOME |
| CTRL | I | Italic. | Text editing | I for ITALICS |
| CTRL | Left Mouseclick | Select multiple items in many programs. | Windows feature | |
| CTRL | MOUSE SCROLL WHEEL | Change the size of the current display in many programs. | Display | |
| CTRL | N | Create a new file in many programs. | Windows feature | N for NEW |
| CTRL | O | Open file in many programs. | Windows feature | O for OPEN |
| CTRL | R | Refresh the active window. | Display | R for REFRESH |
| CTRL | SHIFT + ARROW KEY | Select a block of text. | Text editing | |
| CTRL | SHIFT + ESC | Open Task Manager directly. | Windows feature | |
| CTRL | U | Underline in many programs. | Text editing | U for UNDERLINE |
| CTRL | UP ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph. | Text editing | |
| CTRL | V | Paste clipboard. Insert in many programs. One of the most commonly used Windows keyboard shortcuts. | Windows feature | V like a funnel |
| CTRL | X | Cut the selected item in many programs. | Windows feature | X like scissors |
| CTRL | Y | Repeat last action. | Windows feature | Y for YAYY – Again! |
| CTRL | Z | Undo an action. One of the most commonly used Windows keyboard shortcuts. | Windows feature | Z like Zzzz (I was sleeping!) |
| DEL | Delete selected item in many programs. | Windows feature | ||
| END | Go to end of line. | Text editing | ||
| ENTER | Replaces clicking mouse for many selected commands. | Dialog boxes | ||
| ESC | Cancel the current task. | Windows feature | ||
| F1 | Display help in many programs. | Windows feature | ||
| F2 | Rename selected item in many programs. | Windows feature | ||
| F4 | Display the items in the active list. | Dialog boxes | ||
| F5 | Refresh active window in many programs. | Display | ||
| F11 | Maximize active window in many programs. | Display | ||
| FN | ARROW LEFT | Go to start of line. | Text editing | |
| FN | ARROW RIGHT | Go to end of line. | Text editing | |
| HOME | Go to start of line in many programs. | Text editing | ||
| PAGE DOWN | Move cursor down length of viewport. | Text editing | ||
| PAGE UP | Move cursor up length of viewport. | Text editing | ||
| POS1 | Jump to beginning of sentence or page in many programs. | Text editing | ||
| Take a screenshot. | Windows feature | PRINT like PHOTO | ||
| SHIFT | ARROW UP / DOWN | Select text. | Text editing | |
| SHIFT | DELETE | Delete item without first moving to Recycle Bin. | Windows feature | |
| SHIFT | (When inserting CD/DVD | Prevent automatic playing. | Windows feature | |
| SPACE | Select check box if active option is a check box. | Dialog boxes | ||
| TAB | Move through options in many programs. | Dialog boxes | ||
| WIN | ARROW DOWN | Minimize window when restored. | Display | Down with you, screen! |
| WIN | ARROW UP | Maximize window when restored. | Display | Up with you, screen! |
| WIN | B | Switch to program displaying message in notification area. | Navigation | |
| WIN | D | Show the desktop. | Display. | D for DESKTOP |
| WIN | C | Access the charm bar in Windows. How to get the charm bar in Windows 10… | Windows | |
| WIN | E | Open Windows Explorer / Computer. | Windows feature | E for EXPLORER |
| WIN | F | Open Windows Search. | Search | F for FIND |
| WIN | HOME | Minimize all OTHER windows. | Display | |
| WIN | I | Access Settings in Windows. | Windows | |
| WIN | K | Access Devices in Windows. | Windows | |
| WIN | L | Lock Windows keyboard or computer. | Windows feature | L for LOCK |
| WIN | LEFT ARROW | Maximize window to screen left – compare and contrast 2 documents in seconds. | Display | Go left screen! |
| WIN | M | Minimize all windows. | Display | M for MINIMIZE |
| WIN | P | Open Presentation Display Mode. | Display | P for PRESENTATION |
| WIN | Q | Windows Search. | Search | QUERY |
| WIN | R | Open Windows Run Command window… | Windows feature | R for RUN |
| WIN | RIGHT ARROW | Maximize the window to the right side of the screen – write & research the Internet at the same time. | Display | Go right screen! |
| WIN | SHIFT + LEFT / RIGHT ARROW | Move active window from one monitor to another & back again. | Display | |
| WIN | SHIFT + M | Restore minimized windows. | Display | |
| WIN | U | Open Ease of Access Center. | Access | |
| WIN | X | Open Windows Tools menu. | Windows feature | |
| WIN | Open or close Start menu. | Navigation |
See also: Common & useful Internet chat abbreviations…
* Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
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