Last Updated on June 16, 2021 by avracham
keyboard shortcuts
Introduction
In this post ” Keyboard shortcuts “, I will provide you the important keyboard shortcuts related to Windows Logo Key, file explorer shortcuts, and copy and paste shortcuts.
These shortcuts provide a quick way to perform repetitive tasks that can take a long time during the long process of typing or programming a line of commands.
Keyboard shortcuts for Windows logo key
Firstly, let’s begin with shortcuts related to the windows logo button. This button when you press it with some other buttons will make your task a lot easier. This combination makes a lot of functions depending on which button you press with the Windows logo button.
So, here is a full table of all the functions related to the Windows Logo Key:
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
| Windows logo key | Open or close the Start menu |
| Windows logo key + A | Open Action Centre |
| Windows logo key + B | To focus on 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 switch under Let Cortana listen to my orders when you press the Windows logo key + C. Cortana is only available in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana features may not be available everywhere. If Cortana is not available or is off, you can still use the search feature. |
| Windows logo key + Shift + C | To open the list of icons |
| Windows logo key + D | Desktop display and hide |
| Windows + Alt + D logo key | Display and hide the date and time on the desktop |
| Windows logo key + E | Open File Explorer |
| Windows + F logo key | Open the “feedback center” and get a screenshot |
| The Windows + G logo key | Opens the game bar when you open the game |
| Windows logo key + H | Start dictation |
| Windows logo key + I | Open the settings |
| Windows logo key + J | Set the focus on the Windows hint when one is available When the Windows hint appears, you can move the focus to the hint. Pressing the keyboard shortcuts again moves the focus to the item on the screen to which the Windows hint is docked. |
| The Windows + K logo key | Opens the quick procedure for calling |
| Windows logo key + L | Lock your PC or switch accounts |
| Windows + M logo key | Minimizes all Windows |
| Windows logo key + O | Lock device orientation |
| Windows logo key + P | Choose presentation mode |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Q | Open quick help |
| Windows + R logo key | Open the Run dialog box |
| Windows + s logo key | Open the search |
| Windows logo key + Shift + S | Get a screenshot of a part of the screen |
| Windows logo key + T | Navigate between applications on the taskbar |
| The Windows + U logo key | Opens the Accessibility Center |
| Windows logo key + V | Open clipboard. Note Select Start > Settings > System > Clipboard and turn on the switch between clipboard history to activate the shortcut. |
| Windows logo key + Shift + V | To navigate between notifications |
| The Windows + X logo key | Opens the “Quick Link” menu |
| Windows logo key + Y | Input switches between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop |
| Windows logo key + Z | Shows the commands available in an app in full-screen mode |
| Windows logo key + point (.) Or semicolon (;) | Open the emoticon Symbols panel |
| Windows logo key + comma (,) | Take a temporary peek at the desktop |
| Windows logo key + Pause | Display the dialog box "system properties" |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + F | Search for computers (if you are on a network) |
| Windows logo key + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows on the desktop |
| Windows logo key + number | Open the desktop and start the app installed on the taskbar in the situation indicated by the figure. If the application is already running, switch to that app. |
| Windows logo key + Shift + desktop | Unlock the number and start a new instance of the desktop application installed on the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + number | Open the desktop and go to the last active window of the application installed on the taskbar in the mode indicated by the number. |
| Windows logo key + Alt + number | Open the desktop and open the “quick access menu” of the application installed on the taskbar in the situation indicated by the figure. |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + desktop | Unlock the number and open a new instance of the application located in the designated position on the taskbar as administrator. |
| The Windows + Tab logo key | Opens "Task View" |
| Windows logo key + Up arrow | Maximize the window |
| Windows logo key + down arrow | Remove the current app from the screen or minimize the desktop window |
| Windows logo key + arrow to the left | Enlarges the application window or desktop window to the right side of the screen. |
| Windows logo key + arrow to the right | Enlarge the application window or desktop window to the left side of the screen |
| Windows + Home logo key | Minimize all desktop windows except the active window (restore all windows when performing a second press) |
| Windows logo key + Shift + Up arrow | Maximize the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen |
| Windows logo key + Shift + Down arrow | Restore/minimize Windows Active Desktop vertically, maintaining width |
| Windows logo key + Shift + Right Arrow Left arrow | Move an app or window on the desktop from one monitor to another. |
| Windows logo key + spacebar | Switch input language and keyboard layout |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + spacebar | Change for predefined input |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter | Run “narrator” |
| Windows logo key + plus sign ( + ) | Open magnifier |
| Windows logo key + forward slash | Start remapping IME |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + V | Open shoulder presses |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B | Alert PC from black or empty screen |
Copy and paste keyboard shortcuts and other generic shortcuts
Now, let’s talk about other combinations that may you know some of them and already use daily. (Ctrl) button and (Alt) button play a big part in these shortcuts. When you use these buttons with other buttons it performs a command for sure. In order to ease your task and save your time.
So, here are another table of these combinations to help you out:
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected item |
| Ctrl + C or ( Ctrl + Insert ) | Copy the selected item |
| Ctrl + V or ( Shift + Insert ) | Paste the selected item |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the action |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active item or exit the active app |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder in File Explorer |
| F4 | View the address bar list in File Explorer |
| F5 | Update the active window |
| F6 | Navigate between screen elements in the window or on the desktop |
| F10 | Activates the menu bar in the active app |
| Alt + F8 | To show the password on the login screen |
| Alt + Esc | Navigate between items in the order in which they were opened |
| Alt + underlined letter | Perform the command for that character |
| Alt + Enter | Display properties of the selected item |
| Alt + Spacebar | Opens the shortcut menu of the active window |
| Alt + Page Up | Move up one screen |
| Alt + Page Down | Move one screen down |
| Ctrl + F4 | Closes the active document |
| Ctrl + A | Select all items in a document or window |
| Ctrl + D or (Delete) | Delete the selected item and move it to the “Recycle Bin” |
| Ctrl + R | Refresh the active window |
| Ctrl + Y | re-Action |
| Ctrl + right arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word |
| Ctrl + Left arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
| Ctrl + down arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
| Ctrl + Up arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab | Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps |
| Alt + Shift + arrow keys | If you focus on a panel or group in the Start menu, they are moved in the selected direction. |
| Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys | If you focus on a panel in the Start menu, they are moved to another panel to create a folder |
| Ctrl + arrow keys | Resize the Start menu when it is open |
| Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item)+spacebar | Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop |
| Ctrl + Shift with one of the arrow keys | To select a block of text |
| Ctrl + Esc | Open the Start menu |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open the "task manager" |
| Ctrl + Shift | Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available |
| Ctrl + spacebar | Turn the input method editor (IME) for the Chinese language on or off |
| Shift + F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item |
| Key Shift with any arrow key | Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document |
| Shift + Delete | Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first |
| Esc | Terminate or exit the current task |
| PrtScn key | Take a screenshot of the entire screen and copy it to the clipboard |
File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
On File Explorer, you need shortcuts to finish what you want to do quickly. So, I gathered important shortcuts that you will use daily when you on File Explorer.
Here is the table of File Explorer shortcuts:
| Press this Key | To do this |
|---|---|
| Alt + D | Specify the address bar |
| Ctrl + E | Check the search box |
| Ctrl + F | Check the search box |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
| Ctrl + W | Close the active window |
| Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel | Change the size and appearance of the icons of files and folders |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Display all folders above the selected folder |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
| Num Lock + (*) | Display all subfolders under the selected folder |
| Num Lock + (+) | Display the contents of the selected folder |
| Num Lock + (-) | Collapse the selected |
| Alt + P | Preview panel display |
| Alt + Enter | Open the properties dialog box for the selected item |
| Alt + arrow key to the right | View the next folder |
| Alt + Top arrow key | View the parent folder |
| Alt + arrow key to the left | Display the previous folder |
| Backspace key | Display the previous folder |
| Right arrow | Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder. |
| Left arrow | Collapses the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the parent folder. |
| End | Display the bottom of the active window |
| Home | Display the top of the active window |
| F11 | Enlarge or minimize the active window |
Conclusion
In conclusion, I can say that keyboard shortcuts are widely used in almost all applications and operating systems to provide easier access and faster task completion. Although some users may find it difficult to learn all combinations of shortcuts, Windows shortcuts are extremely useful for advanced users who need to type or execute commands at a fast rate.
I find using these shortcuts so amazing. It makes my work easier and quicker, so do you. I advise you guys to learn these shortcuts.
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