Windows keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternate way to do something you’d typically do with a mouse. 

Here are several common keyboard shortcuts:

Windows 10

• Copy: Ctrl + C
• Cut: Ctrl + X
• Paste: Ctrl + V
• Maximize Window: F11 or Windows logo key  + Up arrow 
• Open Task View: Windows logo key  + Tab
• Display and hide the desktop: Windows logo key  + D
• Switch between open apps: Alt + Tab
• Open the Quick Link menu: Windows logo key  + X
• Lock your PC: Windows logo key  + L

Depending on your hardware, you can use Windows logo key  + PrtScn to take a screenshot, or use Fn + Windows logo key  + Spacebar. 

Windows 11

• Copy: Ctrl + C
• Cut: Ctrl + X
• Paste: Ctrl + V
• Maximize Window: F11 or Windows logo key  + Up arrow 
• Open Task View: Windows logo key  + Tab
• Display and hide the desktop: Windows logo key  + D
• Switch between open apps: Alt + Tab
• Open the Quick Link menu: Windows logo key  + X
• Lock your PC: Windows logo key  + L

Depending on your hardware, you can use Windows logo key  + PrtScn to take a screenshot, or use Fn + Windows logo key  + Spacebar. 

Common Keyboard Shortcuts

All Microsoft keyboards are equipped to perform shortcuts in Windows and other Microsoft applications. 
Here’s a round-up of some of the most common ones.

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Keys	Action	Compatible device
F1	Display Help	All
F2	Renames selected item	All
F3	Search for file or folder	All
F10	Activate the menu bar in the active program	All
Ctrl + A	Select all items in a document or window	All
Ctrl + C	Copy a selected item	All
Ctrl + D	Add a webpage to your favorites	All
Ctrl + J	Open Download Manager	All
Ctrl + L	Highlight the text in the Address bar	All
Ctrl + V	Paste the selected item	All
Ctrl + X	Cut the selected item	All
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action	All
Ctrl + Y	Redo an action	All
Ctrl + P	Print	All
Ctrl + Esc	Open the Start Menu	All
Ctrl + Right arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word	All
Ctrl + Left arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word	All
Ctrl + Down arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph	All
Ctrl + Up arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph	All
Ctrl + Shift + any arrow key	Select a block of text	All
Ctrl + any arrow key + space bar	Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop	All
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel	Change the size of icons on the desktop	All
Ctrl + Alt + Tab	Use the arrow keys to switch between open items	All
Ctrl + Shift + Escape	Open task manager	All
Alt	Show the menu bar. After you make a selection, the menu bar goes away.	All
Alt + Home	Go to your homepage	All
Alt + C	View your favorites, feeds, and browsing history	All
Alt + F4	Close the active item, or exit the active program	All
Alt + Spacebar	Open the shortcut menu for the active window	All
Alt + Tab	Switch between open programs	All
Shift + Delete	Delete selected item without moving it to the recycle bin first/permanent delete	All
Shift + any arrow key	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop or select text within a document	All
Shift + F10	Opens a shortcut menu for the selected items (like right clicking on a mouse)	All
Windows logo key	Opens start menu	All
Windows logo key + D	Clear away everything and show desktop	All
Windows logo key + E	Open Windows Explorer	All
Windows logo key + F	Find files or folders	All
Windows logo key + M	Minimize all windows	All
Windows logo key + Down Arrow	Minimize the window	All
Windows logo key + Up Arrow	Maximize the window	All
Windows logo key + L	Lock the computer (without using ctrl + alt + delete)	All
Shift + Windows logo key + M	Undo minimize all	All
Windows logo key + Tab	Cycle through task bar buttons	All
Windows logo key + F1	Open Help	All