Windows 10 has several keyboard shortcuts. Microsoft’s operating system offers everything from simple commands such as the well-known “CTRL+C” and “CTRL + V” to the less famous ones, such as “Windows + V” to open clipboard history. Next, I’ll show you 70 shortcuts for Windows 10 control and navigation.
Essential shortcuts
Shortcut
Function
CTRL + A
Select all
CTRL + C
Copy items to the clipboard
CTRL + X
Crop items to the clipboard
CTRL + V
Paste clipboard items
CTRL + Z
Undo action
CTRL + Y
Redo action
ALT + F4
Close current window (if none is open, displays shutdown options)
CTRL + D or Delete
Delete selected items
Shift + Delete
Permanently delete items
F2
Rename selected item
Esc
Cancel action
ALT + Tab
Switch between windows
PrtScn
Save a screenshot to the clipboard
Windows + I key
Opens system settings
Windows + E key
Opens File Explorer
Windows + A key
Opens the Action Center
Windows + V key
Opens clipboard history
Windows + Shift + S key
Allows you to capture part of the screen using the Capture Tool
Windows + PrtScn key
Automatically captures and saves the screen in the Screenshots folder
File Explorer Shortcuts
Shortcut
Function
CTRL + N
Opens a new window
CTRL + W
Closes the current window
CTRL + F
Open the search area
CTRL + mouse scroll
Changes file/folder view
CTRL + Shift + N
Creates a new folder
ALT + Enter
Opens the properties window of the selected file
F11
Switch to full-screen mode
F5
Updates the page
Home
Back to the beginning of the screen
End
Slides to the end of the screen
ALT + right arrow
View the next folder
ALT + left arrow
View the previous folder
Desktop shortcuts
Shortcut
Function
Windows key
Opens the Start menu
CTRL + up/down arrow
Changes the size of the Start menu
CTRL + Shift + ESC
Opens Task Manager
CTRL + ALT + Tab
View all open programs
CTRL + arrows + space
Select multiple files
ALT + Tab
Toggles between open programs
PageUp
Moves the screen up
PageDown
Moves the screen down
ALT + ESC
Transits between open windows
CTRL + Shift + click on icon
Runs the program as an administrator (from the Taskbar)
Shift + right-click on the icon
Displays the program menu (from the Taskbar)
CTRL + left arrow
Moves the cursor to the beginning of the word (works on editors and text boxes)
CTRL + right arrow
Moves the cursor to the end of the word (works on editors and text boxes)
CTRL + up arrow
Moves the cursor to the beginning of the paragraph (works on editors and text boxes)
CTRL + down arrow
Moves the cursor to the end of the paragraph (works on editors and text boxes)
CTRL + Shift + up/down arrow
Selects the entire paragraph
CTRL + ALT + right arrow
Rotates the screen 90 degrees (may not work on all PCs)
CTRL + ALT + down arrow
Rotates the screen 180 degrees (may not work on all PCs)
CTRL + ALT + left arrow
Rotates the screen 270 degrees (may not work on all PCs)
CTRL + ALT + up arrow
Returns the vertical rotation of the screen
Shortcuts with the Windows key
Shortcut
Function
Windows + S key
Opens the system search menu
Windows + D key
Displays/hides the desktop
Windows + L key
Locks your PC
Windows + M key
Minimizes all open windows
Windows + C key
Open Cortana (virtual assistant)
Windows + G key
Opens Xbox Game Bar
Windows key + ALT + R
Starts a screen recording
Windows + T key
Toggles between Taskbar programs
Windows + R key
Opens Run
Windows + X key
Opens the Quick Access menu
Windows + P key
Opens the Project menu
Windows key + plus sign
Zooms in on the screen with the Magnifying Glass
Windows key + minus sign
Zooms out of the screen with the Magnifying Glass
Windows + ESC key
Closes the Magnifying Glass
Windows key + up arrow
maximize
Windows key + down arrow
minimize
Windows key + left arrow
Adjusts the current window to the left half of the screen
Windows key + right arrow
Adjusts the current window to the right half of the screen
A tech savvy specialized in mobile devices, computers and consumer technology, as well as software and applications. He has been writing about tech since 2019 and he explains all technological concepts so that users with less knowledge can understand them. Reach him at georgephilip2004@gmail.com
