Windows Shortcuts To Make Your Life Easier

When you're switching between multiple tabs, running several applications, and trying to be as efficient as possible, shortcuts can save you valuable time. Here's a list of hot keys to make your life easier.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcut	Action
Ctrl + A	Select all content
Ctrl + C	Copy selected items to clipboard
Ctrl + X	Cut selected items to clipboard
Ctrl + V	Paste content from clipboard
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action
Ctrl + Y	Redo an action
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer
Alt + F4	Close active window
Ctrl + Del	Delete selected item to Recycle Bin
Shift + Del	Delete the selected item permanently, skipping the recycle bin
F2	Rename selected item
Esc	Close current task
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps
PrtScn	Take a screenshot and store in the clipboard
Windows Key + I	Open Settings app
Windows Key + E	Open File Explorer
Windows Key + A	Open Action center
Windows Key + D	Display and hide the desktop
Windows Key + L	Lock device
Windows Key + V	Open Clipboard bin
Windows Key + M	Minimize all windows
Windows Key + Shift + M	Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows Key + Period (.)	Open emoji panel
Windows Key + PrtScn	Capture a full screenshot in the "Screenshots" folder
Windows Key + Shift + S	Capture part of the screen with the Snip & Sketch
Windows Key + Left Arrow	Snap app or window Left
Windows Key + Right Arrow	Snap app or window Right
Windows Key	Open Start menu
Ctrl + Arrow keys	Change Start menu size
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Shift	Switch keyboard layout
Alt + F4	Close active window
Ctrl + F5	Refresh current window
Ctrl + Alt + Tab	View open apps
Ctrl + Arrow keys	Select multiple items on desktop or File Explorer
Alt + Underlined letter	Runs command for the underlined letter in apps
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps while pressing tab
Alt + Left arrow key	Go back
Alt + Right arrow key	Go forward
Alt + Page Up	Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down	Move down one screen
Alt + Esc	Cycle through open windows
Alt + Spacebar	Open context menu for the active window
Alt + F8	Reveals typed passwords in Sign-in screen
Shift + Click app button	Open another instance of an app from the Taskbar
Ctrl + Shift + Click app button	Run app as administrator from the Taskbar
Shift + Right-click app button	Show window menu for the app from the Taskbar
Ctrl + Click a grouped app button	Cycle through windows in the group from the Taskbar
Shift + Right-click grouped app button	Show window menu for the group from the Taskbar