Keyboard shortcuts in Windows - Microsoft Support (2024)

The "Windows key," when used with other keys, enables you to execute numerous handy tasks such as launching Settings, File Explorer, the Run command, and apps pinned to the Taskbar, as well as open specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. Additionally, you can manage windows and virtual desktops, take screenshots, lock the computer, and more.

Here is a list of the most common keyboard shortcuts utilizing the Windows key.

Windows Key - Open Start menu.
Windows Key + A - Open Action center.
Windows Key + Alt + D - Open date and time in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + Alt + Number (0-9) - Open Jump List of the app in number position in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + B - Set focus notification area in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + Comma (,) - Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows Key + Ctrl + D - Create a virtual desktop.
Windows Key + Ctrl + Enter - Open Narrator.
Windows Key + Ctrl + F - Open search for the device on a domain network.
Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 - Close active virtual desktop.
Windows Key + Ctrl + Left arrow - Switch to the virtual desktop on the left.
Windows Key + Ctrl + Number (0-9) - Switch to the last active window of the app in the number position in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + Ctrl + Q - Open Quick Assist.
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Windows Key + Ctrl + Right arrow - Switch to the virtual desktop on the right.
Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B - Wake up the device when black or a blank screen.
Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + Number (0-9) - Open another instance as an administrator of the app in the number position in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + Ctrl + Spacebar - Change previous selected input option.
Windows Key + D - Display and hide the desktop.
Windows Key + Down arrow key - Minimize app windows.
Windows Key + E - Open File Explorer.
Windows Key + Esc - Exit magnifier.
Windows Key + F - Launch Feedback Hub app.
Windows Key + Forward-slash (/) - Start IME reconversion.
Windows Key + G - Launch Game bar app.
Windows Key + H - Open dictation feature.
Windows Key + Home - Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
Windows Key + I - Open Settings.
Windows Key + J - Set focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.
Windows Key + K - Open Connect settings.
See Also
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Windows Key + L - Locks computer.
Windows Key + Left arrow key - Snap app or window left.
Windows Key + M - Minimize all windows.
Windows Key + Minus (-) - Zoom out using the magnifier.
Windows Key + Number (0-9) - Open the app in number position in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + O - Lock device orientation.
Windows Key + P - Open Project settings.
Windows Key + Pause - Show System Properties dialog box.
Windows Key + Period (.) or Semicolon (;) - Open emoji panel.
Windows Key + Plus (+) - Zoom in using the magnifier.
Windows Key + PrtScn - Capture a full screenshot in the "Screenshots" folder.
Windows Key + R - Open Run command.
Windows Key + Right arrow key - Snap app or window right.
Windows Key + S (or Q) - Open Search.
Windows Key + Shift + Down arrow key - Windows 11: Restorethe window if it is snapped or maximized. Windows 10: Maximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width.
Windows Key + Shift + Left arrow key - Move active window to monitor on the left.
Windows Key + Shift + M - Restore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows Key + Shift + Number (0-9) - Open another app instance in the number position in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + Shift + Right arrow key - Move active window to monitor on the right.
Windows Key + Shift + S - Create part of the screen screenshot.
Windows Key + Shift + Up arrow key - Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows Key + Shift + V - Cycle through notifications.
Windows Key + Spacebar - Change keyboard layout and input language.
Windows Key + T - Cycle through apps in the Taskbar.
Windows Key + Tab - Open Task View.
Windows Key + U - Open Ease of Access settings.
Windows Key + Up arrow key - Maximize app windows.
Windows Key + V - Open Clipboard bin.
Windows Key + W - Open the Windows Ink Workspace.
Windows Key + X - Open Quick Link menu.
Windows Key + Y - Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality.
Windows Key + Z - Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality.

Keyboard shortcuts in Windows - Microsoft Support (2024)

FAQs

Does Microsoft have keyboard shortcuts? ›

Here is a list of the most common keyboard shortcuts utilizing the Windows key. Windows Key - Open Start menu. Windows Key + A - Open Action center. Windows Key + Alt + D - Open date and time in the Taskbar.

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What is the keyboard shortcut to get Windows help and support Windows? ›

Use keyboard shortcuts in the Help window

To do this	Press
Open the Help window.	F1
Close the Help window.	ALT+F4
Switch between the Help window and the active program.	ALT+TAB
Go back to PowerPoint Help and How-to table of contents.	ALT+HOME

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How do I see all keyboard shortcuts? ›

Check all keyboard shortcuts: Press Ctrl + Alt + / (forward slash).

How do I see all open keyboard shortcuts in Windows? ›

Press and hold the [Windows] key > Click the [Tab] key once. A row of screen shots representing all the open applications will appear.

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Can I create keyboard shortcuts on Windows? ›

Most Windows programs will support the creation of custom keyboard shortcuts, as long as the program is first pinned to the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

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What are the 20 computer shortcuts? ›

Windows keyboard shortcuts

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.

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How do I get to Windows support? ›

Search for help - Enter a question or keywords in the search box on the taskbar to find apps, files, settings, and get help from the web. support.microsoft.com - Head over to support.microsoft.com/windows to find answers to more complex problems, browse support content in different categories, and contact support.

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What is Windows Support Assistant? ›

The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant works by running tests to figure out what's wrong and offers the best solution for the identified problem. It can currently fix Office, Microsoft 365, or Outlook problems.

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What is Windows Help and Support? ›

Windows provides a help system that most software developers use to provide immediate help to the users of their Windows applications. The help is displayed by pressing F1 or selecting the Help menu in the application. The help windows can remain on screen so that you can try things out while you read the instructions.

How do I pull up Windows keyboard shortcuts? ›

The fastest way to open the on-screen keyboard in Windows 10 is the shortcut [Windows] + [Ctrl] + [O]. This way, the on-screen keyboard can be activated immediately if a physical keyboard is available or intact.

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How do I open keyboard shortcuts list? ›

Press Ctrl + Alt + ? on your keyboard. Keyboard shortcut overview is now open. Now try typing in the shortcut you are looking for.

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How do I access key shortcuts? ›

You'll use the Ctrl (Control) or Alt key to perform most keyboard shortcuts. You'll find these keys near the bottom-left corner of your keyboard.

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What is F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, f6, f7, f8, f9, F10, f11, f12? ›

F1 – Opens the Help screen for almost every program. F2 – Allows you to rename a selected file or folder. F3 – Opens a search feature for an application that is active at the moment. F4 – Alt + F4 closes the active window. F5 – Allows you to refresh or reload the page or document window.

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How do I find a hidden shortcut? ›

Show or hide all desktop shortcut icons

Right-click an empty area on the desktop and select View in the drop-down menu.

Which key is rarely used on a keyboard? ›

In a few programs, pressing Scroll Lock changes the behavior of the arrow keys and the Page Up and Page Down keys; pressing these keys causes the document to scroll without changing the position of the cursor or selection. Your keyboard might have a light indicating whether Scroll Lock is on. This key is rarely used.

Does Microsoft Word have shortcuts? ›

This article describes the keyboard shortcuts and function keys in Word for Windows. Notes: To quickly find a shortcut in this article, press Ctrl+F, and enter your search word. If an action does not have a corresponding shortcut key, you can record a macro to create one.

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What are Microsoft Office shortcut keys? ›

Ctrl + C Copy selected text. Ctrl + D Open the font preferences window. Ctrl + E Aligns the line or selected text to the center of the screen. Ctrl + F Open find box.

Does Windows have shortcuts? ›

Windows keyboard shortcuts can increase your productivity many times over. We all learn the popular keyboard shortcuts, like CTRL + S to save a file, or CTRL + X/C/V for cut-copy-paste.

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