When it comes to shortcuts in Windows 10, there is no shortage of them that can speed up your workflow and improve your productivity. I've been covering shortcuts quite a bit with highlighting all the Windows key shortcuts, Windows 10's new shortcuts, even keyboard shortcuts for use within File Explorer.
There is a long list of keyboard shortcuts that can be used, with so many it can be hard to know which ones might be most beneficial to remember. Below is a list of what I consider to be the twenty most helpful keyboard shortcuts that every Windows user should know.
| Shortcut | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esc | Stop or leave current task | |||
| F5 | Refresh the active window | |||
| F2 | Rename selected item | |||
| Alt+F4 | Close active window (if no active window present, then shutdown box appears) | |||
| Alt+Tab | Switch between open apps | |||
| Ctrl+A | Select all content | |||
| Ctrl+C (or Ctrl + Insert) | Copy selected items to the Clipboard | |||
| Ctrl+D (Del) | Delete selected item to the Recycle Bin | |||
| Ctrl+V (or Shift + Insert) | Paste content from the Clipboard | |||
| Ctrl+X | Cut selected items to the Clipboard | |||
| Ctrl+Y | Redo an action | |||
| Ctrl+Z | Undo an action | |||
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open the Windows Task Manager | |||
| Ctrl+Shift+N | Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer | |||
| Shift+Delete | Delete selected item permanently skipping Recycle Bin | |||
| Win+D | Display and hide the desktop | |||
| Win+E | Open File Explorer | |||
| Win+I | Open Settings | |||
| Win+L | Lock computer | |||
| Win+V | Open Clipboard bin |
While I don't use these keyboard shortcuts every day, I use these enough to know how helpful they can be to both a beginner as well as more advanced users.
This tip (7569) applies to Windows 10.
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Discover More2020-07-28 07:36:28
Ron S MVP
I can think of a few more:nWIN - by itself it opens the Start menu. MUCH faster than mousing! (how could you miss this one? <G>)nn<Win>+ arrow keys to "snap" current application to edges of the desktopnWin + ALT + Num 0-9 Open Jump list for app in that number posistion in TaskbarnWin + Up / Down Max / Min current WindownWin + F Open Windows Feedback Hub send suggestions / bug reports to MS (but often it is NOT working for me!)nnWin + Tab, an alternate to ALT + TabnnnnVirtual desktops are a neat feature, I just haven't found any use for them in my work stylenWin + Ctl + D Create a vritual desktopnWin + Ctl + Right arrow Open Virtual Desktop to the RightnWin + Ctl + Left arrow Open Virtual Desktop to the Left
2020-07-27 22:35:26
Bob Ama
...and by "above" I mean "below".
2020-07-27 22:32:12
Bob Ama
I suppose these tips are tailored toward using Windows (hence the name of the site) rather than its apps (such as Excel or Word). My comment above is accurate for most Windows applications, but not when using something such as Windows Explorer.
2020-07-27 22:28:12
Bob Ama
"Ctrl+X Cut selected items to the Clipboard" ...can also be called from "Shift + Delete"
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