Windows Key Shortcut List

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated July 13, 2020)

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The tasks we perform on a daily basis on our computers can, at times, seem quite repetitive, to say the least. Often these tasks are the result of a combination of mouse clicks and menus and more. To make using your computer faster, the Windows operating system has built-in shortcuts. Shortcuts are a combination of keystrokes that, when pressed, result in a predefined function being performed. This results in fewer mouse clicks, thus saving you time.

These predefined keystrokes are chosen as they are not "natural" keystroke combinations. This means that the chances of you pressing these keys at the same time are minimal. We have covered some keystroke shortcuts before, such as New Windows 10 Shortcuts, which covers some of Windows 10's newest shortcuts. Below is the full Windows shortcuts list which utilizes the Windows key as the basis of implementing the shortcut.

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

By using the shortcuts one at a time you'll notice a nominal amount of time savings alone, however, the more you use them together the time savings can be significant.

 This tip (13783) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

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What is 2 + 8?

2020-07-13 10:10:31

J. Woolley

You can also use Microsoft PowerToys Shortcut Guide: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/wiki/Shortcut-Guide-Overview


2020-07-13 09:30:22

Bob Ama

I believe that there is a subtle difference between Win+D, Display and hide the desktop, and Win+M, Minimize all windows, but I don't know what it is.


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