Windows 10 was a welcome return to the keyboard and improved keyboard functionality–and that means shortcuts. There’s actually quite a lot of new functionality to learn in Windows 10. With all of these exclusive features, such as the Cortana smart assistant, there are a bunch of new corresponding Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts. That means even if you’re a Windows veterans, you might be in unfamiliar territory when you boot up Windows 10 for the first time.
(For those looking to learn the ropes in Windows 10 first, you’ll want to learn the basics such as how to type symbols and how to copy and paste.)
Get caught up to speed quickly with our handy guide to some of the more important keyboard shortcuts you need to know in Windows 10.
New Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts
Windows 10 opened up a world of new keyboard shortcuts to better navigate and utilize the operating system’s interface and features. Below is a set of some of the new keyboard functions available for Windows 10 users. Be sure to hold down the Windows key () to the left of the spacebar before punching the appropriate letter or key.
Don’t feel bad about referring back to the chart as needed — memorization will come in time.
Keyboard shortcut | Function |
+ Q | Open Cortana for voice input |
+ S | Open Cortana for text input |
+ I | Open Windows settings pane |
+ A | Open Windows 10 Action Center |
+ X | Open Quick Link menu |
+ Left | Snap active window to left |
+ Right | Snap active window to right |
+ Up | Snap active window to top of screen |
+ Down | Snap active window to bottom of screen |
+ Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
+ Ctrl + Left | Cycle through desktops to the left |
+ Ctrl + Right | Cycle through desktops to the right |
+ Ctrl + F4 | Close current desktop |
+ TAB | Access all desktops and apps in Task View |
+ PrtSc | Take a screenshot and save it to Screenshots folder |
+ G | Open the Game DVR recorder |
+ Alt + G | Start recording current activity on screen |
+ Alt + R | Stop recording |
Command prompt shortcuts
Mii channel theme song violin sheet music. The revised Windows 10 command prompt also has new shortcuts, making it easier to use.
Keyboard shortcut | Function |
Shift + Left | Highlight text to the left of cursor |
Shift + Right | Highlight text to the right of cursor |
Ctrl + C | Copy selected text to clipboard |
Ctrl + V | Paste text from clipboard into command prompt |
Ctrl + A | Select all text after prompt |
General Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts
There are plenty of returning keyboard shortcuts to go along with all the new Windows 10 shortcuts. The following are some of the most basic, general, and sought-after keyboard shortcuts for general day-to-day use for Windows users.
Keyboard shortcut | Function |
Display or Hide the Start screen | |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open the Task Manager |
+ M | Minimize all windows |
+ Shift + M | Restore minimized windows on the desktop |
+ R | Open the Run dialogue box |
+ F1 | Open Windows Help and Support |
+ Up arrow | Maximize the desktop window |
+ Down arrow | Minimize the desktop window |
+ plus (“+”) or minus (“-“) | Zoom in or out using Magnifier |
+ L | Lock your PC or switch accounts. |
Alt + F4 | Close the active item, or exit the active app |
Alt + Enter | Display properties for the selected item |
Alt + Spacebar | Open shortcut menu for an active window |
Control + X | Cut the selected item |
Control + V | Paste the selected item |
Control + Y | Redo an action |
Control + Z | Undo an action |
F1 | Display Help |
F2 | Rename the selected item |
F3 | Search for a file or folder |
F4 | Display the address bar list in the File Explorer |
F5 | Refresh the active window |
F10 | Activate the menu bar in the active app |
If all these keyboard shortcuts have you thinking that you could really use a new keyboard for your PC, we have a few ideas for you. Check out the best wireless keyboards to see what’s available. If you’re more wary of wrist issues, take a look at the top ergonomic keyboards, too! Finally, if you really aren’t finding the keyboard shortcuts that you wish were there, there are tools you can use to create your own shortcut keys on Windows, such as the Shortkey extension.
Editors' Recommendations
If you’re recently upgraded to Windows 10 or are thinking about it, you’ll be glad to know that Microsoft has again started treating users like they are grown adults with laptops and desktops with a physical keyboard and an actual mouse, the kind that grown-ups use. Yes, there’s still some of that silly touch screen business around, but it’s nothing more than an option.
Unlike Windows 8, it doesn’t actually get in the way of your work.
Dil dil pakistan naghma. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. All the best new Windows 10 features are productivity related. To make your work faster, better. The new features come with updated or new keyboard shortcuts. Seeing as the Windows pro that you are, it will take you no time to pick all of it up.
1. Task View
The best thing about Windows 10 are the new virtual desktops. Yes, you can click that little Task View button on the taskbar. But keyboard shortcuts are so much better. Windows Key + Tab will bring up the task view. Now use the Arrow keys to move around the available windows and apps. When you find the app you want to switch to, just hit Space.
Virtual desktops for pro-pro users: Sure, the virtual desktop features in Windows 10 are fine and dandy. But what if you want minute control over managing every window in every desktop? Well, try this third party app.You’ll see in the bottom bar of the Task view, the new virtual desktop feature. Now, you can click another desktop to switch to it or use the + button to make more of them. But, well, you know where this is going.
Use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Ctrl + D to create a whole new virtual desktop.
You can also move around virtual desktops quite easily. The shortcut Windows Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow will take you to the previous desktop, and Windows Key + Ctrl + Right Arrow will take you to the next desktop.
Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 will close the current desktop.
Windows Key + Left will snap the current window to the left side of the screen, taking up exactly 50% of the screen space. Windows Key + Right does the same for the right side of the screen.
The Up and Down arrow keys are more interesting. If a window is already snapped, Windows Key + Down will snap it to the bottom of the screen, taking up a quarter of the screen. Same with Window Key + Up.
But if a window isn’t already snapped, Windows Key + Down will minimize the current window. Then if you use Windows Key + Up shortcut, the window will be back to its space (maximize).
If a window isn’t snapped, Window Key + Up will make the window fullscreen. Even when the windows are snapped, you can get to those minimize/full-screen modes just by using the keyboard shortcuts one more time.
2. Cortana
The next hot thing (or as Ken Jeong would say: Thaaang), is, of course, our intelligent computer lady, Cortana. She’s your very own, personal assistant. Always there, ready to serve you whenever you command. And command you shall, right from your keyboard.
If you’d like to speak to Cortana, use Windows Key + Q keyboard shortcut. But she can answer your questions via text as well – just use Windows Key + S.
Cortana in your day-to-day life: Cortana integrates Windows search we are all familiar with. Only here it’s so much better. And you should use it to launch apps, search through documents and more. Hit the Windows KeyWindows 10 Shortcut Keys Cheat Sheet
and start typing. More on that here.3. Command Prompt
Yes, coders and Windows geeks, Windows 10 finally brings copy and paste to Windows 10. Powershell who, amirite?
Ctrl + C for copying, Ctrl +V to paste and Ctrl + A to select all, all work.
Highlight the character to the left or right by using Shift + Left/Right keyboard combo. Add Ctrl to that combo to select blocks instead of characters.
4. Misc, But Still Important
Here are other Windows shortcuts you should know about.
Windows Key + G: Open the new Game DVR screen recorder (read our article on it here).
Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Windows 10 Task Manager.
Windows + E: Open Windows Explorer.
Windows + D: Hide/display the desktop.
Windows 7 and 8 keyboard shortcuts: Windows has loads more keyboard shortcuts. And we’ve already compiled a list of basic keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7 and Windows 8, you should already be familiar with.What’s Your Favorite Keyboard Shortcut?
Share your favorite and most used keyboard shortcut with us in the comments below.
Also See#Command Prompt #Cortana Did You Know
Only 25% of people can text well without looking at their keyboards.