List of Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts: The Ultimate Guide

If you're a Windows 10 user, you probably already know that using keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time and make your workflow more efficient. However, with so many shortcuts available, it can be hard to keep track of them all. That's why we've compiled this ultimate guide to all the Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts you need to know.

Note: Most of these keyboard shortcuts work across all versions of Windows 10, but some may not work on older versions.

 

These keyboard shortcuts can be used anywhere in Windows 10.

Essential shortcuts

Function	Windows Shortcut	For Mac Shortcut
Copy	Ctrl+C	Command+C
Paste	Ctrl+V	Command+V
Cut	Ctrl+X	Command+X
Undo	Ctrl+Z	Command+Z
Redo	Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z	Command+Shift+Z or Command+Y
Select All	Ctrl+A	Command+A
Find	Ctrl+F	Command+F
Save	Ctrl+S	Command+S
New File	Ctrl+N	Command+N
Open File	Ctrl+O	Command+O
Close Window	Alt+F4	Command+W
Quit Application	Alt+F4	Command+Q
Task Manager	Ctrl+Shift+Esc	N/A
Switch between open windows	Alt+Tab	Command+Tab
Take a Screenshot	Win+Print Screen	Command+Shift+3 (full screen) or Command+Shift+4 (selected area)
Zoom in	Ctrl++	Command++
Zoom out	Ctrl+-	Command+-

Desktop Shortcut 

Here are some commonly used desktop shortcut keys:

Shortcut	Description
Windows key	Open the Start menu or toggle between the Start menu and the last-used app
Windows key + D	Show or hide the desktop
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Windows key + L	Lock your computer
Windows key + R	Open the Run dialog box
Windows key + S	Open the search bar
Windows key + Tab	Open Task View
Ctrl + Alt + Delete	Open the Task Manager
Ctrl + C	Copy selected item
Ctrl + X	Cut selected item
Ctrl + V	Paste selected item
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create a new folder
Alt + Tab	Switch between open windows
Alt + F4	Close the active window
F2	Rename the selected item
F5	Refresh the active window

Note: These shortcut keys may vary depending on the operating system and version.

 

File Explorer Shortcut 

These are commonly used File Explorer shortcut keys that every Windows 10 user has to know.

 

Shortcut	Description
Windows key + E	Opens File Explorer
Alt + Up arrow	Goes up one folder level
F2	Renames a selected file or folder
Ctrl + C	Copies selected item(s)
Ctrl + X	Cuts selected item(s)
Ctrl + V	Pastes copied or cut item(s)
Ctrl + Z	Undoes the last action
Ctrl + A	Selects all items in the current window
Ctrl + Shift + N	Creates a new folder
Delete	Deletes selected item(s)
Shift + Delete	Deletes selected item(s) permanently without moving to the Recycle Bin
F11	Toggles full-screen mode on and off
Alt + Enter	Opens the Properties dialog box for the selected item(s)
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Opens Task Manager directly

 

Command Prompt Shortcuts 

These keyboard shortcuts can enhance your efficiency while working with Command Prompt.

Shortcut	Description
Ctrl+C	Stop the current command
Ctrl+A	Select all text in the current line
Ctrl+V	Paste text from the clipboard
Ctrl+F	Open the find dialog box
Ctrl+M	Enter Mark mode
F1	Display Command Prompt Help
F2	Edit the current command line
F3	Repeat the last command
F4	Delete the current command line
F5	Cycle through previously entered commands
F6	Cycle through Command Prompt's autocomplete options
F7	Display a list of previously entered commands
F8	Search the command history for a specific string
F9	Enter a specific command from the command history
Tab	Auto-complete a partially typed command or filename
Shift+Arrow	Highlight text in the command prompt
Ctrl+Shift+Arrow	Highlight text in the command prompt by whole words
Alt+F4	Close Command Prompt

 

Windows Shortcuts 

Using the Windows key in combination with other keys enables you to carry out various practical tasks, such as opening Settings, File Explorer, the Run command, apps pinned in the Taskbar, or accessing specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. Additionally, you can perform tasks like controlling windows and virtual desktops, capturing screenshots, locking the computer, and more.

 

The following is a comprehensive collection of the most frequently used keyboard shortcuts that involve the Windows key.

 

Shortcut	Action
Win + A	Open the Action Center
Win + B	Highlight the notification area
Win + C	Launch Cortana in listening mode
Win + D	Show the desktop
Win + E	Open File Explorer
Win + F	Open the search bar
Win + G	Open the Game Bar
Win + H	Open the Share menu
Win + I	Open Settings
Win + K	Open the Connect pane
Win + L	Lock the computer
Win + M	Minimize all windows
Win + P	Choose a presentation display mode
Win + R	Open the Run dialog box
Win + S	Open the search bar
Win + T	Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Win + U	Open the Ease of Access Center
Win + X	Open the Quick Link menu
Win + Z	Show the app commands available in the app

More Keyboard Shortcuts Resources

• Top 10 MAC Keyboard Shortcuts