Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. Below is a list of some of the keyboard shortcuts available in Windows.


Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Ctrl + XCut the selected item.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)Copy the selected item.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)Paste the selected item.
Ctrl + ZUndo an action.
Alt + TabSwitch between open apps.
Alt + F4Close the active item, or exit the active app.
Windows logo key  + LLock your PC.
Windows logo key + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
F2Rename the selected item.
F3Search for a file or folder in File Explorer.
F4Display the address bar list in File Explorer.
F5Refresh the active window.
F6Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F10Activate the Menu bar in the active app.
Alt + F8Show your password on the sign-in screen.
Alt + EscCycle through items in the order in which they were opened.
Alt + underlined letterPerform the command for that letter.
Alt + EnterDisplay properties for the selected item.
Alt + SpacebarOpen the shortcut menu for the active window.
Alt + Left arrowGo back.
Alt + Right arrowGo forward.
Alt + Page UpMove up one screen.
Alt + Page DownMove down one screen.
Ctrl + F4Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and let you have multiple documents open at the same time).
Ctrl + ASelect 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 + YRedo an action.
Ctrl + Right arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
Ctrl + Left arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
Ctrl + Down arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
Ctrl + Up arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
Ctrl + Alt + TabUse the arrow keys to switch between all open apps.
Alt + Shift + arrow keysWhen a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified.
Ctrl + Shift + arrow keysWhen a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder.
Ctrl + arrow keysResize the Start menu when it's open.
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + SpacebarSelect multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop.
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow keySelect a block of text.
Ctrl + EscOpen Start.
Ctrl + Shift + EscOpen Task Manager.
Ctrl + ShiftSwitch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available.
Shift + F10Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Shift with any arrow keySelect more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document.
Shift + DeleteDelete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first.
Right arrowOpen the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
Left arrowOpen the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
EscStop 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 schreenshot. Select Start  > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn on the toggle under Print Screen shortcut.



Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key Open or close Start.
Windows logo key  + AOpen Action center.
Windows logo key  + BSet 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.
  • Cortana is available only in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana features might not be available everywhere. If Cortana isn't available or is turned off, you can still use search.
Windows logo key  + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
Windows logo key  + Alt + DDisplay and hide the date and time on the desktop.
Windows logo key  + EOpen File Explorer.
Windows logo key  + GOpen Game bar when a game is open.
Windows logo key  + HStart dictation.
Windows logo key + IOpen 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  + KOpen the Connect quick action.
Windows logo key  + LLock your PC or switch accounts.
Windows logo key  + MMinimize all windows.
Windows logo key  + OLock device orientation.
Windows logo key  + PChoose a presentation display mode.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + QOpen Quick Assist.
Windows logo key  + ROpen the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key  + SOpen search.
Windows logo key  + Shift + STake a screenshot of part of  your screen. 
Windows logo key  + TCycle through apps on the taskbar.
Windows logo key  + UOpen 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 + VCycle through notifications.
Windows logo key  + XOpen the Quick Link menu.
Windows logo key  + YSwitch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop.
Windows logo key  + ZShow 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  + PauseDisplay the System Properties dialog box.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + FSearch for PCs (if you're on a network).
Windows logo key  + Shift + MRestore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows logo key  + numberOpen 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 + numberOpen 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 + numberOpen 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 + numberOpen 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 + numberOpen the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator.
Windows logo key  + TabOpen Task view.
Windows logo key  + Up arrowMaximize the window.
Windows logo key  + Down arrowRemove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window.
Windows logo key  + Left arrowMaximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen.
Windows logo key  + Right arrowMaximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen.
Windows logo key  + HomeMinimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke).
Windows logo key  + Shift + Up arrowStretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows logo key  + Shift + Down arrowRestore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width.
Windows logo key  + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrowMove an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another.
Windows logo key  + SpacebarSwitch input language and keyboard layout.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + SpacebarChange to a previously selected input.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + EnterTurn on Narrator.
Windows logo key  + Plus (+)Open Magnifier.
Windows logo key  + forward slash (/)Begin IME reconversion.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + VOpen shoulder taps.