Windows Keyboard Shortcuts & Commands

Understanding Modifier Keys

Before diving into shortcuts, let's understand the special keys that make these shortcuts work:

Ctrl

Control Key

The Control key (Ctrl) is used for most common shortcuts like copy, paste, and undo. It's typically located at the bottom corners of your keyboard.

Alt

Alt Key

The Alt key provides alternative functions and is often used to access menu items. It's located on either side of the spacebar.

⊞

Windows Key

The Windows key (⊞) opens the Start menu and is used for system-wide shortcuts. It usually has the Windows logo on it.

Fn

Function Key

The Fn key is mainly found on laptops and activates secondary functions on keys (like adjusting brightness or volume). It's typically in the bottom-left corner.

Alt Gr

Alt Graph Key

Alt Gr (Alternative Graphic) is used to type special characters and symbols, especially on international keyboards. On US keyboards, it functions as a right Alt key.

Pro Tip: When you see a shortcut like "Ctrl + C", it means hold down the Ctrl key first, then press C while still holding Ctrl, then release both keys.

Special Function Keys

These keys perform specific functions and are organized by their primary use:

Navigation Keys

Home

Home

Jumps to the beginning of a line or document. Useful for quickly navigating to the start of text.

End

End

Jumps to the end of a line or document. Quickly moves cursor to the end of the current line or page.

Page Up

Page Up

Scrolls up one page or screen of content. Moves through documents or web pages one screen at a time.

Page Down

Page Down

Scrolls down one page or screen of content. Navigate forward through documents one screen at a time.

Editing Keys

Insert

Insert

Toggles between insert and overwrite modes when typing text. In overwrite mode, new characters replace existing ones.

Delete

Delete

Removes characters to the right of cursor or deletes selected items. Unlike Backspace, it deletes forward.

Control Keys

Esc

Escape

Cancels current operation, closes dialogs, or exits full-screen mode. Your "get out of trouble" key.

⊞

Windows Key

Opens the Start menu when pressed alone. Also used as a modifier for system shortcuts. Features the Windows logo.

Num Lock

Number Lock

Toggles the numeric keypad between numbers and navigation keys. When off, keypad acts as arrow keys.

Menu

Menu/Application Key

Opens the right-click context menu at cursor position. Located between right Alt Gr and right Ctrl. Often shows menu icon (☰).

Legacy/Specialized Keys

Scr Lk

Scroll Lock

Legacy key that locks scrolling in some applications. Rarely used in modern Windows but some programs still support it.

Pause

Pause/Break

Pauses system operations or breaks running programs. Mostly legacy use, but can pause command line output.

Clear

Clear

Clears current entry, mainly on numeric keypads. Often the center key (5) when Num Lock is off.

Note: The Clear key is typically found on the numeric keypad (center key when Num Lock is off). Some keys like Scroll Lock and Pause are legacy features that have limited use in modern Windows.

General Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl + X

Cut

Removes selected item and places it in clipboard. The item disappears from its current location.

Ctrl + C

Copy

Copies selected item to clipboard. Original item remains in place for pasting elsewhere.

Ctrl + V

Paste

Inserts clipboard contents at cursor position. Works with text, files, and images.

Ctrl + Z

Undo

Reverses the last action. Can be used multiple times to undo several actions.

Ctrl + A

Select All

Selects all items in current window or all text in a document.

Alt + Tab

Switch Apps

Cycles through open applications. Hold Alt and tap Tab to navigate.

Alt + F4

Close Window

Closes the active window or application. If on desktop, opens shutdown dialog.

⊞ + L

Lock Computer

Instantly locks your PC, requiring password to unlock. Protects your work when stepping away.

⊞ + D

Show Desktop

Minimizes all windows to show desktop. Press again to restore windows.

⊞ + M

Minimize All

Minimizes all open windows to taskbar. Similar to Show Desktop but doesn't toggle.

⊞ + Shift + M

Restore Windows

Restores all windows minimized by Windows+M. Brings back your workspace.

⊞ + E

File Explorer

Opens File Explorer to browse files and folders on your computer.

⊞ + I

Settings

Opens Windows Settings to configure system preferences and options.

⊞ + R

Run Dialog

Opens Run command box to quickly launch programs or system commands.

⊞ + ←/→

Snap Windows

Snaps active window to left or right half of screen. Use with Up/Down arrows for quadrants.

Browser Shortcuts

Ctrl + T

New Tab

Opens a new browser tab. Cursor automatically goes to address bar for quick navigation.

Ctrl + N

New Window

Opens a new browser window. Useful for separating different browsing sessions.

Ctrl + W

Close Tab

Closes current tab or window if it's the last tab. Works in most applications.

Ctrl + Shift + T

Reopen Tab

Reopens the last closed tab with all its history. Can be used multiple times.

Ctrl + L

Address Bar

Highlights and focuses the URL address bar for typing a new web address.

Ctrl + R

Refresh Page

Reloads the current web page. Add Shift to force refresh and bypass cache.

Ctrl + -

Zoom Out

Decreases page zoom level to make content smaller. Useful for seeing more content at once.

Ctrl + +

Zoom In

Increases page zoom level to make content larger. Helpful for reading small text.

Ctrl + 0

Reset Zoom

Returns page zoom to 100% default level. Quickly fixes zoomed pages.

File Explorer Shortcuts

F2

Rename

Renames the selected file or folder. Enter new name and press Enter to confirm.

F3

Search

Opens search box to find files or folders. Same as clicking the search field.

Ctrl + Shift + N

New Folder

Creates a new folder in the current location. Folder name will be highlighted for editing.

Ctrl + W

Close Window

Closes the current File Explorer window. Same as clicking the X button.

Alt + ↑

Go Up

Navigates to parent folder. Same as clicking the up arrow in navigation bar.

Alt + Enter

Properties

Opens properties dialog for selected item. Shows size, dates, permissions, etc.

Ctrl + Shift + E

Expand Tree

Displays all folders above current location in navigation pane. Shows folder hierarchy.

Miscellaneous Shortcuts

Print Screen

Screenshot

Captures entire screen to clipboard. Paste into any application to save or edit the screenshot.

Alt + Print Screen

Window Screenshot

Captures only the active window to clipboard. Perfect for documenting specific applications.

Ctrl + Alt + Delete

Security Screen

Opens Windows security screen with options to lock, sign out, or open Task Manager.

Shift + Delete

Permanent Delete

Permanently deletes files without sending to Recycle Bin. Use with caution - cannot be undone easily.

F1

Help

Opens help documentation for current application. Universal help key across Windows programs.

F5

Refresh

Refreshes current view or page. Works in browsers, File Explorer, and many applications.

F11

Full Screen

Toggles full screen mode in browsers and many applications. Hides toolbars and menus.

System Commands

These commands can be run from the Run dialog (⊞ + R):

control Open Control Panel
notepad Open Notepad
mspaint Open Paint
write Open Wordpad
calc Open Calculator
mstsc Open Remote Desktop Connection

Practice Tip

The best way to learn keyboard shortcuts is to practice them daily. Start with the most common ones like Copy, Paste, and Undo, then gradually add more to your repertoire. Your productivity will increase significantly once these become muscle memory!