Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows has two layers of shortcuts: the Ctrl-key conventions that every application inherits, and the Win-key bindings that belong to the operating system itself. The first layer you already know. The second is where the time savings are, and it has grown a lot in Windows 11 — clipboard history, snipping, virtual desktops and voice typing all have keys.

Essential Shortcuts 18

Ctrl+C

Copy

Copy selected item to clipboard. Works with text, files, images, and more.

Ctrl+X

Cut

Cut selected item and store in clipboard. Original is removed.

Ctrl+V

Paste

Paste clipboard content at current location. Can paste multiple times.

Ctrl+Z

Undo

Undo last action. Press multiple times to undo previous actions.

Ctrl+Y

Redo

Redo undone action. Restores actions canceled with Ctrl+Z.

Ctrl+A

Select All

Select all items in current document or folder.

Ctrl+S

Save

Save current document. Press frequently to prevent data loss.

Ctrl+P

Open print dialog. Preview before printing recommended.

Ctrl+F

Find

Open text search box. Quickly find words in documents.

Ctrl+H

Replace

Open find and replace dialog. Batch change text efficiently.

Ctrl+N

New Window/Doc

Open new window or document depending on app.

Ctrl+W

Close Window

Close current window or tab. Prompts to save if needed.

Alt+F4

Quit Program

Completely quit active program.

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Task Manager

Open Task Manager directly. Best for frozen programs.

F2

Rename

Rename selected file or folder.

F5

Refresh

Refresh current page or folder.

Delete

Delete

Move selected item to Recycle Bin. Can restore later.

Shift+Delete

Permanent Delete

Permanently delete without Recycle Bin. Cannot restore.

Window & Display 18

Win+D

Show Desktop

Minimize all windows or restore them.

Win+E

File Explorer

Open File Explorer.

Win+L

Lock Screen

Lock computer for security.

Win+I

Settings

Open Windows Settings app.

Win+X

Quick Link Menu

Open system tools menu.

Win+Tab

Task View

View open windows and virtual desktops.

Win+Ctrl+D

New Desktop

Create new virtual desktop.

Win+Ctrl+Left/Right

Switch Desktop

Switch between virtual desktops.

Win+Ctrl+F4

Close Desktop

Close current virtual desktop.

Win+Left/Right

Snap Window

Snap window to left or right half of screen.

Win+Up/Down

Maximize/Minimize

Maximize or minimize window.

Win+Shift+Left/Right

Move to Monitor

Move window to another monitor.

Win+M

Minimize All

Minimize all windows.

Alt+Tab

Switch Windows

Quickly switch between open windows.

Alt+Shift+Tab

Reverse Switch

Switch windows in reverse order.

Ctrl+Alt+Tab

Persistent Switcher

Keep window switcher open for arrow key selection.

Ctrl+Tab

Switch Tabs

Switch between tabs in apps.

Win+Home

Minimize Others

Minimize all windows except active one.

Screenshot & Capture 6

Win+Shift+S

Snipping Tool

Capture part of screen. Best method in Windows 10/11.

PrtScn

Full Screen

Copy entire screen to clipboard.

Win+PrtScn

Save Screenshot

Save entire screen to Pictures\Screenshots folder.

Alt+PrtScn

Active Window

Capture only the active window.

Win+G

Game Bar

Open Game Bar for recording and screenshots.

Win+Alt+R

Start/Stop Recording

Start or stop screen recording.

System & Search 12

Win+S

Open Windows Search for files, apps, and settings.

Win+R

Run Dialog

Open Run dialog for commands.

Win+A

Action Center

Open Action Center for notifications and quick settings.

Win+K

Connect Devices

Connect to wireless displays and audio.

Win+P

Project

Choose display projection mode.

Win+V

Clipboard History

View clipboard history and paste previous items.

Win+.

Emoji Panel

Open emoji, symbols, and GIF picker. 😊

Win+;

Emoji Panel

Same as Win+. - opens emoji panel.

Win+H

Voice Typing

Start voice dictation.

Win+U

Accessibility

Open Accessibility settings.

Win++/-

Magnifier

Zoom in or out with screen magnifier.

Win+Esc

Exit Magnifier

Exit screen magnifier.

📜 Source: Microsoft Support — Keyboard shortcuts in Windows. Windows 11 bindings; the article notes which entries differ on Windows 10. Checked 2026-09-04. How we verify ›

📄 View Printable Cheat Sheet — Download as PDF or print

Win-key bindings worth learning in order

Win + E opens File Explorer and Win + I opens Settings, replacing two of the most common Start-menu trips. Win + Shift + S starts a screen snip with the area selector already active; the image goes to the clipboard and a notification lets you annotate it. Win + V opens clipboard history once you enable it on first use, which turns the clipboard into a list of the last twenty-odd things you copied. Win + L locks the machine, Win + D shows the desktop, and Win + X opens the power-user menu with Terminal, Device Manager and Task Manager one keypress further.

Windows, monitors and virtual desktops

Win + Left/Right snaps the active window to half the screen and Win + Up/Down maximises or minimises it; on Windows 11 holding Win + Z instead shows the snap layouts. Win + Shift + Left/Right throws a window to the next monitor without dragging it across. Win + Ctrl + D creates a virtual desktop, Win + Ctrl + Left/Right moves between them and Win + Ctrl + F4 closes the current one — the same separation-of-contexts idea as workspaces on Linux. Alt + Tab switches windows; Ctrl + Alt + Tab opens the same switcher but leaves it open so you can pick with arrow keys.

Task Manager and the two deletes

Ctrl + Shift + Esc opens Task Manager directly, skipping the Ctrl + Alt + Delete security screen. Delete sends a file to the Recycle Bin, while Shift + Delete removes it permanently with no recovery, which is worth knowing before it happens by accident. F2 renames the selected file and F5 refreshes an Explorer window or a browser page.

Typing helpers

Win + . (or Win + ;) opens the emoji and symbols panel, which also holds GIFs and clipboard items. Win + H starts voice typing into whatever text field has focus. Win + +/- opens Magnifier and zooms; Win + Esc exits it. Win + G opens the Game Bar, and Win + Alt + R starts and stops a screen recording of the active application from the same tool.

Frequently asked questions

Do these work on Windows 10 as well as Windows 11?

Nearly all of them. Snap layouts (Win + Z) and some Settings shortcuts are Windows 11 additions; clipboard history, virtual desktops and Win + Shift + S exist on both.

What is the difference between Delete and Shift + Delete?

Delete moves a file to the Recycle Bin. Shift + Delete bypasses the bin and removes it permanently.

How do I take a screenshot of part of the screen?

Win + Shift + S opens the snipping overlay. Drag out an area and it is copied to the clipboard; PrtScn alone copies the whole screen.

How do I open Task Manager quickly?

Ctrl + Shift + Esc opens it directly. Ctrl + Alt + Delete shows a security screen first.

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