Windows 10 Shortcut Keys

Windows 10 has been installed on new computers since 29th July 2015 (has it really been that long!?).

Maybe it’s time to expand your knowledge. As my Grandma always said, “the simple things are always the best place to start“, so lets start simple. It doesn’t get much more basic than the use of the keyboard and the associated shortcuts. Once you have got these burned into your memory you will be whizzing about Windows like a pro!

Windows 10 built upon the existing Windows 7 & 8 shortcuts, then expanded them to include shortcuts to the new features of Windows 10 like Cortana and Virtual Desktops.

Have a look at Microsoft’s full list here (please find a printable list at the bottom of this post).

Shortcut Description
Windows key windows-key Open and close the Start menu.
windows-key+1, windows-key+2, etc. Switch to the desktop and launch the nth application in the taskbar. For example, +1 launches whichever application is first in the list, numbered from left to right.
windows-key+A Open the action center.
windows-key+B Highlight the notification area.
windows-key+C Launch Cortana into listening mode.[1] Users can begin to speak to Cortana immediately
windows-key+D Switch between Show Desktop (hides/shows any applications and other windows) and the previous state.
windows-key+E Switch to the desktop and launch File Explorer with the Quick Access tab displayed.
windows-key+H Open the Share  charm.
windows-key+I Open the Settings  app.
windows-key+K Open the Connect pane to connect to wireless displays and audio devices.
windows-key+L Lock the device and go to the Lock screen.
windows-key+M Switch to the desktop and minimize all open windows.
windows-key+O Lock device orientation.
windows-key+P Open the Project pane to search and connect to external displays and projectors.
windows-key+R Display the Run dialog box.
windows-key+S Launch Cortana.[2] Users can begin to type a query immediately.
windows-key+T Cycle through the apps on the taskbar.
windows-key+U Launch the Ease of Access Center.
windows-key+V Cycle through notifications.
windows-key+X Open the advanced menu in the lower-left corner of the screen.
windows-key+Z Open the app-specific command bar.
windows-key+ENTER Launch Narrator.
windows-key+SPACEBAR Switch input language and keyboard layout.
windows-key+TAB Open Task view.
windows-key+, Peek at the desktop.
windows-key+Plus Sign Zoom in.
windows-key+Minus Sign Zoom out.
windows-key+ESCAPE Close Magnifier.
windows-key+LEFT ARROW Dock the active window to the left half of the monitor.
windows-key+RIGHT ARROW Dock the active window to the right half of the monitor.
windows-key+UP ARROW Maximize the active window vertically and horizontally.
windows-key+DOWN ARROW Restore or minimize the active window.
windows-key+SHIFT+UP ARROW Maximize the active window vertically, maintaining the current width.
windows-key+SHIFT+
DOWN ARROW
Restore or minimize the active window vertically, maintaining the current width.
windows-key+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW With multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the left.
windows-key+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW With multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the right.
windows-key+HOME Minimize all nonactive windows; restore on second keystroke.
windows-key+PRNT SCRN Take a picture of the screen and place it in the Computer>Pictures>Screenshots folder.
windows-key+CTRL+LEFT/RIGHT arrow Switch to the next or previous virtual desktop.
windows-key+CTRL+D Create a new virtual desktop.
windows-key+CTRL+F4 Close the current virtual desktop.
windows-key+? Launch the Windows Feedback App.

[1]

If Cortana is unavailable or disabled, this shortcut has no function.

[2]

Cortana is only available in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana features might not be available everywhere. If Cortana is unavailable or disabled, this command opens Search.


printicon Printable Microsoft Shortcut Keys for Windows 10


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