PC keyboard shortcuts can prove to be extremely beneficial to users who constantly work on computers. This is because they can save time in case a user needs to perform too many functions. 

In this article, we present a complete guide comprising of the whole list of all keyboard shortcuts that can prove to be very beneficial for Windows 10 users.

Following are the commonly used Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts for various purposes:

What are the best keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10?

Function Command
Power menu Hold Windows key + X key together and press it or right-click on the Start menu
Windows + Tab This changes the normal view to Windows 10 Task View
Windows + Q To use Cortana (voice assistant of Microsoft) to search the web and Windows
Windows + S To use Cortana (with the use of keyboard) to search the web and Windows
Windows + I Helps to open Windows 10 settings display window
Windows + A Helps to open Windows 10 notifications center
Windows + L Lock the Windows 10 system
Windows + Ctrl + D Helps to open a new virtual desktop
Windows + Ctrl + F4 Helps to close the current virtual desktop
Windows + Ctrl + [Left][Right] Helps to switch between virtual desktops
Windows + [Left][Right][Up][Down] It helps to position windows on the computer screen. If you use Windows key+ [Left] the current window moves to the left half of the screen. If you use Windows key+ [Up] later on, then it will position the current window in the upper left quarter of the computer screen.
Windows + H Helps to share content
Windows + K Helps in connecting to wireless displays devices and audio devices
Windows + X Helps to open the Start button menu
Windows key + G This shortcut helps to begin App recording
Windows + D This helps in displaying the Windows desktop only
Windows + E Helps to launch the File Explorer (also known as My Computer in older versions of Windows)
Windows + Space Changes keyboard language input (if there are more than one functional languages added)
Windows + Shift + [Left][Right] This helps in navigating from the current Window of one monitor to another (when multiple monitors are used)
Windows + [1][2][3][…] Helps to open the programs pinned to the taskbar
Windows + R Helps to open the Run dialog box to type and run a command
Windows + P Helps in projecting a screen
Alt + Tab This keyboard shortcut can help to toggle between multiple windows
Alt + Space This keyboard shortcut can help in the following functions: Restore, move, size, minimize, maximize or close current window. Also, this can be used for the Windows 10 apps.
Alt + F4 Helps in closing the current window. You can also use this keyboard shortcut to open the Power dialogue to do the following functions: Shut down, restart or put the system to sleep mode or switch even change the current user.
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC Helps to launch open the Task Manager
Alt + underlined menu Helps to open the menu of a program. 

General Windows 10 keyboard shortcut keys:

Function Command
Accesses help system in an application F1
Activates the menu bar F10
Used for closing a program Alt + F4
This key closes the current window in Multiple Document interface based programs CTRL + F4
Used to access the right-click menu in the application Shift + F10
Helps in launching the Start menu Ctrl + ESC or Windows key
Used to Cut an object CTRL + X
Used to Copy CTRL + C
Used to Paste CTRL + V
Used to Delete DEL
Undo an action CTRL + Z
To open the System Properties Windows key + Pause/Break
Used to bypass an auto-play when an external storage device is connected Hold down the SHIFT key while inserting a storage device

Desktop, My Computer, and File Explorer keyboard shortcuts:

Function Command
Search for a file or folder CTRL + F or F3
To Rename an item F2
To permanently Delete a folder or files  SHIFT + DEL
To get to the Properties of a file or folder ALT + ENTER or ALT + double-click
This keyboard shortcut is used to Copy a file CTRL key while dragging file
Used to create a shortcut CTRL + SHIFT while dragging file
To Select All the contents from the desired location CTRL + A
Used to Refresh the contents of a window F5
To View the folder one level up Backspace key
This keyboard shortcut is used to Close the selected folder and its parent folders SHIFT key while clicking the close button
Used to toggle between left and right panes F6

Windows keyboard shortcuts for File Explorer commands:

Function Command
To toggle between left and right panes F6
This shortcut is used to expand all subfolders under the selected folder NUMLOCK + ASTERISK when using a numeric keyboard
This is used to expand the selected folder NUMLOCK + PLUS sign when using a numeric keyboard
This is used to collapse the selected folder NUMLOCK + MINUS sign when using a numeric keyboard
Used to expand current selection if it’s collapsed, otherwise used to select the first subfolder Right arrow
This shortcut helps in collapsing the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise, used to select the parent folder Left arrow

Computer shortcut keys for Properties dialog commands:

Function Command
Helps to move forward through options Tab key
Helps to move backward through options SHIFT + Tab
Helps to move forward through tabs CTRL + Tab
Helps to move backward through tabs CTRL + SHIFT + TAB

Windows 10 hotkeys to open and save dialog commands:

Function Command
To open the Save In option and the address bar CTRL + O and F4
To Refresh the windows and a page F5
Opens the one folder level up (if a folder is open) BACKSPACE

Windows 10 hotkeys for Command Prompt keyboard commands:

Shortcuts for Text Selection:

Function Command
SHIFT + LEFT ARROW This is to move the cursor to the left one character and then to extend the selection
SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW This shortcut is to move the cursor to the right one character and then to extend the selection
SHIFT + UP ARROW This shortcut is used to select the text up line by line starting from the insertion location
SHIFT + DOWN ARROW This is used to select the text down one line, starting at the insertion location 
SHIFT + END When the cursor is in the current line that is being edited, the first time use of the keyboard shortcut extends the selection to the last character in the input line.The second consecutive use extends the selection to the right margin; or else selects text from the insertion point to the right margin.
SHIFT + HOME When the cursor is in the current line being edited, the first time press extends the selection to the character immediately after the command prompt. The second time press extends the selection to the left margin; or else extends the selection to the left margin.
SHIFT + PAGE DOWN This helps to extend the selection down one screen
SHIFT + PAGE UP This shortcut helps to extend the selection up one screen
CTRL + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW Used to extend the selection one word to the right
CTRL + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW Used to extend the selection one word to the left
CTRL + SHIFT + HOME This shortcut can be used to extend the selection to the starting of the screen buffer
CTRL + SHIFT + END This shortcut can be used to extend the selection to the end of the screen buffer
CTRL + A When the cursor is in the current line that is being edited (from the first typed char to last typed char) and the line is not empty, and any selection cursor is also within the line being edited, then it selects all text after the prompt (phase 1); or else selects the entire buffer (phase 2)

Shortcuts to edit commands:

Function Command
Windows Key + V This particular command is used to open the clipboard history 
CTRL + V This command is used to paste the text into the command line
SHIFT + INS This shortcut is used to paste the text into the command line
CTRL + C Used to copy the selected text to the clipboard
CTRL + INS Used to copy the selected text to the clipboard
CTRL + M This keyboard shortcut can be used to enter “Mark Mode” to move the cursor within the window
ALT If used simultaneously with the selection keys, then it will begin selection in block mode
ARROW KEYS Used to move the cursor in the specified direction 
PAGE KEYS Used to move the cursor by one page in the specified direction 
CTRL + HOME Used to move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer
CTRL + END Used to move the cursor to end of the buffer

Shortcut to history navigation keys:

Function Command
CTRL + UP ARROW To proceed up one line in the output history
CTRL + DOWN ARROW To pass down one line in the output history
CTRL + PAGE UP To proceed up one page in the output history
CTRL + PAGE DOWN To pass down one page in the output history

Shortcut to additional commands:

Function Command
CTRL + F This opens “Find” in the console window
ALT + F4 This keyboard shortcut closes the console window

Keyboard shortcuts to run Commands:

The following keyboard shortcuts can help to access locations such as Control Panel items, File Explorer shell folders quickly using the run commands.

Opens Press Windows + R and type:
This opens Documents Folder documents
This opens Videos folder videos
This opens Downloads Folder downloads
This opens Favorites Folder favorites
This opens Recent Folder recent
This opens Pictures Folder pictures
Helps to add a new Device devicepairingwizard
Helps to add Windows dialog winver
Helps to add Hardware Wizard hdwwiz
To access Advanced User Accounts netplwiz
To access Advanced User Accounts azman.msc
Keyboard shortcut for Backup and Restore sdclt
For using Bluetooth File Transfer fsquirt
For Calculator calc
Accessing Certificates certmgr.msc
Changes Computer Performance Settings systempropertiesperformance
To change Data Execution Prevention Settings systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention
To change Data Execution Prevention Settings printui
For Character Map charmap
ClearType Tuner cttune
For Color Management colorcpl
To open the Command Prompt window cmd
For accessing Component Services comexp.msc
For accessing Component Services dcomcnfg
Computer Management keyboard shortcuts compmgmt.msc
Computer Management keyboard shortcuts compmgmtlauncher
To connect to a Projector displayswitch
To access the Control Panel control
To create a Shared Folder Wizard shrpubw
To create a System Repair Disc recdisc
For Data Execution Prevention systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention
To see the Date and Time timedate.cpl
For Default Location locationnotifications
To get to the Device Manager devmgmt.msc
Another shortcut to get to the Device Manager hdwwiz.cpl
For Device Pairing Wizard devicepairingwizard
To open the Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard msdt
Digitizer Calibration Tool tabcal
DirectX Diagnostic Tool dxdiag
For Disk Cleanup cleanmgr
Shortcut for Disk Defragmenter dfrgui
Shortcut for Disk Management diskmgmt.msc
For Display dpiscaling
For Display Color Calibration dccw
Display Switch keyboard shortcut displayswitch
DPAPI Key Migration Wizard shortcut dpapimig
For Driver Verifier Manager verifier
To go to the Ease of Access Center utilman
For EFS Wizard rekeywiz
For Event Viewer eventvwr.msc
For Fax Cover Page Editor fxscover
For File Signature Verification sigverif
For Font Viewer fontview
For Game Controllers joy.cpl
For IExpress Wizard iexpress
For Internet Explorer iexplore
For Internet Options inetcpl.cpl
iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool command iscsicpl
For Language Pack Installer command lpksetup
Local Group Policy Editor keyboard shortcut gpedit.msc
Local Security Policy keyboard shortcut secpol.msc
For Local Users and Groups command lusrmgr.msc
To see Location Activity locationnotifications
For Magnifier magnify
For Malicious Software Removal Tool mrt
To Manage Your File Encryption Certificates rekeywiz
For Microsoft Management Console mmc
For Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool msdt
For Mouse main.cpl
NAP Client Configuration command napclcfg.msc
To access Narrator narrator
For seeing Network Connections ncpa.cpl
For New Scan Wizard  wiaacmgr
For Notepad notepad
For ODBC Data Source Administrator odbcad32
For ODBC Driver Configuration odbcconf
On-Screen Keyboard shortcut osk
For Paint mspaint
For Pen and Touch tabletpc.cpl
For People Near Me collab.cpl
To see Performance Monitor perfmon.msc
To see Performance Options systempropertiesperformance
For Phone and Modem telephon.cpl
To open Phone Dialer dialer
For Power Options powercfg.cpl
To access Presentation Settings presentationsettings
For Print Management printmanagement.msc
For Printer Migration printbrmui
For Printer User Interface printui
For Private Character Editor eudcedit
For Problem Steps Recorder psr
For Programs and Features appwiz.cpl
For Protected Content Migration dpapimig
To see Region and Language intl.cpl
For Registry Editor regedit
For Registry Editor 32 regedt32
For Remote Access Phonebook rasphone
For Remote Desktop Connection mstsc
For Resource Monitor resmon
For Resultant Set of Policy rsop.msc
For SAM Lock Tool syskey
For Screen Resolution desk.cpl
For Securing the Windows Account Database syskey
To access Services services.msc
To set Program Access and Computer Defaults computerdefaults
For Share Creation Wizard shrpubw
To access Shared Folders fsmgmt.msc
For Signout logoff
For Snipping Tool snippingtool
For Sound mmsys.cpl
For Sound recorder soundrecorder
To access SQL Server Client Network Utility cliconfg
For Sticky Notes stikynot
To access Stored User Names and Passwords credwiz
To access Sync Center mobsync
For System Configuration msconfig
For System Configuration Editor sysedit
For System Information msinfo32
For System Properties sysdm.cpl
For System Properties (Advanced Tab) systempropertiesadvanced
For System Properties (Computer Name Tab) systempropertiescomputername
For System Properties (Hardware Tab) systempropertieshardware
For System Properties (Remote Tab) systempropertiesremote
For System Properties (System Protection Tab) systempropertiesprotection
For System Restore rstrui
For Task Manager taskmgr
For Task Scheduler taskschd.msc
For Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management tpm.msc
For Turn Windows features on or off optionalfeatures
For User Account Control Settings useraccountcontrolsettings
For Utility Manager utilman
For Volume Mixer sndvol
For Windows Action Center wscui.cpl
For Windows Activation Client slui
For Windows Anytime Upgrade Results windowsanytimeupgraderesults
For Windows Disc Image Burning Tool isoburn
For Windows Explorer explorer
For Windows Fax and Scan wfs
For Windows Firewall firewall.cpl
For Windows Firewall with Advanced Security wf.msc
For Windows Journal journal
For Windows Media Player wmplayer
For Windows Memory Diagnostic Scheduler mdsched
For Windows Mobility Center mblctr
For Windows Picture Acquisition Wizard wiaacmgr
For Windows PowerShell powershell
For Windows PowerShell ISE powershell_ise
For Windows Remote Assistance msra
For Windows Repair Disc recdisc
For Windows Script Host wscript
For Windows Update wuapp
For Windows Update Standalone Installer wusa
For Versione Windows winver
For WMI Management wmimgmt.msc
For WordPad write
For XPS Viewer xpsrchvw

 

Thus, we saw in this article how keyboard shortcuts can prove beneficial to users when the mouse or touchpad malfunctions or slows down. Keyboard shortcuts can also prove to be extremely useful from the point of convenience and act as a time saver too.

One Reply to “List of Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts”

  • Bridget Johnston
    Bridget Johnston
    Reply

    It is not my first time to go to see this web site, i am browsing this site dailly and obtain fastidious information from here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *