If you want to navigate around your Operating System like a pro, you’ll want to learn some Windows Keyboard Shortcuts. These will allow you to perform operations quickly with a combination of keys.
Here’s a list of shortcuts grouped by how they are pressed on the keyboard that should make your computing life easier
= Windows 10 Only
Windows Key (2 Key) Shortcuts:
Here’s a list of shortcuts grouped by how they are pressed on the keyboard that should make your computing life easier

Windows Key (2 Key) Shortcuts:
- Windows Key + Q –
Search with Cortana (through voice)
- Windows Key + E – Open File Explorer
- Windows Key + R – Run Box
- Windows Key + T – Go Through Taskbar Icons
- Windows Key + I –
Open Settings
- Windows Key + P – Project a Screen
- Windows Key + A –
Open Notifications
- Windows Key + S –
Search with Cortana (through keyboard)
- Windows Key + D – Show Desktop
- Windows Key + H –
Open On Screen Keyboard
- Windows Key + L – Lock System
- Windows Key + X –
Open Start Menu Context Menu
- Windows Key + C –
Open Cortana in ‘Listening’ Mode
- Windows Key + V –
Cycle through Notifications
- Windows Key + M – Minimize all Windows
- Windows Key + Tab – Task View
- Windows Key + Space – Change Keyboard Input Language
- Windows Key + Up/Down/Left/Right – Moves current window to portions of screen
- Ctrl+Shift+Escape - Open Task Manager
- Windows Key + Ctrl + D –
Create Virtual Desktop
- Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 –
Close Virtual Desktop
- Windows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right –
Move Between Virtual Desktops
- Alt + Esc – Reverse cycle through open programs by switching to them
- Alt + Tab – Switch through open programs
- Alt + F4 – Close current program
- Alt + Space – Show Top Left Menu (Restore, Move etc)
- Alt + Print Screen – Screenshot Current Window
- Alt + Enter – Properties of selected item
- Ctrl + Esc – Open Start Menu
- Ctrl + Y – Redo Operation
- Ctrl + A – Select All
- Ctrl + Z – Undo Operation
- Ctrl + C – Copy
- Ctrl + Insert – Copy
- Ctrl + V – Paste
- Ctrl + R – Refresh