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.
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Discover More2020-07-13 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.
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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