Copy, Paste, and Other General Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
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 and find 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. |
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 (in apps that are full-screen and let you have multiple documents open at the same time). |
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 Keys (to move to an item) + Spacebar | Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop. |
Ctrl + Shift with an Arrow Keys | 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. |
PrtScn | Take a screenshot of your whole screen and copy it to the clipboard. Note : You can change this shortcut so it also opens screen snipping, which lets you edit your screenshot. Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn on the toggle under Print Screen shortcut. |
Windows Logo Key Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
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. Notes : This shortcut is turned off by default. To turn it on, select Start > Settings > Cortana, and turn on the toggle under Let Cortana listen for my commands when I press the Windows Logo Key + C. |
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. When a Windows tip appears, bring focus to the Tip. Pressing the keyboard shortcuts again to bring focus to the element on the screen to which the Windows tip is anchored. |
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 + Ctrl + Q | Open Quick Assist. |
Windows Logo Key + R | Open the Run dialog box. |
Windows Logo Key + S | Open search. |
Windows Logo Key + Shift + S | Take a screenshot of part of your screen. |
Windows Logo Key + T | Cycle through apps on the taskbar. |
Windows Logo Key + U | Open Ease of Access Center. |
Windows Logo Key + V | Open the clipboard. Note: To activate this shortcut, select Start > Settings > System > Clipboard, and turn on the toggle under Clipboard history. |
Windows Logo Key + Shift + V | Cycle through notifications. |
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. If the app is already running, switch to that app. |
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 current app from 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 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 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 | Turn on Narrator. |
Windows Logo Key + Plus (+) | Open Magnifier. |
Windows Logo Key + forward slash (/) | Begin IME reconversion. |
Windows Logo Key + Ctrl + V | Open shoulder taps. |
Windows Logo Key + Ctrl + Shift + B | Wake PC from blank or black screen |
Command Prompt Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) | Copy the selected text. |
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) | Paste the selected text. |
Ctrl + M | Enter Mark mode. |
Alt + Selection Key | Begin selection in block mode. |
Arrow Keys | Move the cursor in the direction specified. |
Page Up | Move the cursor by one page up. |
Page Down | Move the cursor by one page down. |
Ctrl + Home (Mark Mode) | Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer. |
Ctrl + End (Mark Mode) | Move the cursor to the end of the buffer. |
Ctrl + Up Arrow | Move up one line in the output history. |
Ctrl + Down Arrow | Move down one line in the output history. |
Ctrl + Home (History Navigation) | If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the top of the buffer. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the left of the cursor in the command line. |
Ctrl + End (History Navigation) | If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the command line. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the right of the cursor in the command line. |
Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
F4 | Display the items in the active list. |
Ctrl + Tab | Move forward through tabs. |
Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Move back through tabs. |
Ctrl + Number (Number 1–9) | Move to nth tab. |
Tab | Move forward through options. |
Shift + Tab | Move back through options. |
Alt + Underlined letter | Perform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter. |
Spacebar | Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box. |
Backspace | Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. |
Arrow Keys | Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. |
File Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
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. |
F11 | Maximize or minimize the active window. |
Virtual Desktops Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
Windows Logo Key + Tab | Open Task view. |
Windows Logo Key + Ctrl + D | Add a virtual desktop. |
Windows Logo Key + Ctrl + Right arrow | Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the right. |
Windows Logo Key + Ctrl + Left arrow | Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the left. |
Windows Logo Key + Ctrl + F4 | Close the virtual desktop you're using. |
Taskbar Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
Shift + Click a taskbar button | Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app. |
Ctrl + Shift + Click a taskbar button | Open an app as an administrator. |
Shift + Right-click a taskbar button | Show the window menu for the app. |
Shift + Right-click a grouped taskbar button | Show the window menu for the group. |
Ctrl + Click a grouped taskbar button | Cycle through the windows of the group. |
Settings Keyboard Shortcuts
PRESS THIS KEY | TO DO THIS |
---|---|
Windows Logo Key + I | Open settings. |
Backspace | Go back to the settings home page. |
Type on any page with search box | Search settings. |

