Lifehack logo

100 Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows) to Boost Your Productivity

100 Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows)

By Gobi MunusamyPublished about a year ago 5 min read
Like
100 Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows) to Boost Your Productivity
Photo by ilgmyzin on Unsplash

Are you tired of constantly reaching for your mouse to perform simple tasks on your computer? Do you find yourself wasting precious time navigating menus and options? If so, you’re in luck! There are hundreds of keyboard shortcuts available on Windows that can help you boost your productivity and streamline your workflow.

In this article, we will explore 200 of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows. From basic navigation to advanced functions, we’ve got you covered. So, grab your keyboard and let’s get started!

Basic Navigation Shortcuts

Let’s start with the basics. These keyboard shortcuts will help you navigate through your computer quickly and efficiently.

Windows key: Open or close the Start menu

Windows key + D: Show or hide the desktop

Windows key + E: Open File Explorer

Windows key + L: Lock your PC

Windows key + R: Open the Run dialog box

Windows key + S: Open the Search bar

Windows key + Tab: Open Task View

Alt + Tab: Switch between open windows

Ctrl + Esc: Open the Start menu

Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager

Shortcuts for Files and Folders

These keyboard shortcuts will help you work with files and folders more efficiently.

Ctrl + C: Copy selected item(s)

Ctrl + X: Cut selected item(s)

Ctrl + V: Paste selected item(s)

Ctrl + Z: Undo an action

Ctrl + Y: Redo an action

Ctrl + A: Select all items in a document or window

Ctrl + F: Search for a specific word or phrase

F2: Rename selected item(s)

F3: Search for a file or folder

F4: Display the address bar list in File Explorer

Shortcuts for Text Editing

These keyboard shortcuts will help you work with text more efficiently.

Ctrl + B: Bold text

Ctrl + I: Italicize text

Ctrl + U: Underline text

Ctrl + F6: Switch between open documents in Microsoft Word

Ctrl + Shift + F6: Open a new document in Microsoft Word

Ctrl + Shift + >: Increase the font size

Ctrl + Shift + <: Decrease the font size

Ctrl + Shift + L: Apply the List Bullet style to the selected text

Ctrl + Shift + N: Apply the Normal style to the selected text

Ctrl + Spacebar: Remove formatting from selected text

Shortcuts for Web Browsing

These keyboard shortcuts will help you browse the web more efficiently.

Ctrl + T: Open a new tab

Ctrl + W: Close the current tab

Ctrl + Tab: Switch between open tabs

Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Switch between open tabs in reverse order

Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab

Ctrl + N: Open a new window

Alt + Home: Open your homepage

F5: Refresh the current page

Ctrl + F5: Refresh the current page and clear the cache

Ctrl + D: Bookmark the current page

Shortcuts for Productivity

These keyboard shortcuts will help you be more productive on your computer.

Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder

Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager

Windows key + I: Open Settings

Windows key + X: Open the Quick Link menu

Windows key + A: Open Action Center

Windows key + E: Open File Explorer

Windows key + L: Lock your PC

Windows key + P: Project to a different screen or display

Windows key + S: Open the Search bar

Windows key + X: Open the Quick Link menu

Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Access the security options menu

Alt + F4: Close the current window or program

Ctrl + Shift + T: Restore the last closed window or program

Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item

Ctrl + Alt + Tab: View open windows in Task View

Shortcuts for Screenshots and Screen Recording

These keyboard shortcuts will help you capture screenshots and record your screen.

Windows key + Print Screen: Take a screenshot and save it to your Screenshots folder

Windows key + Shift + S: Take a screenshot of a specific area of your screen and copy it to the clipboard

Windows key + G: Open Game Bar

Windows key + Alt + R: Start or stop recording your screen

Windows key + Alt + T: Show or hide the recording timer

Shortcuts for Accessibility

These keyboard shortcuts will help you access accessibility features on your computer.

Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access Center

Ctrl + Alt + M: Turn on Mouse Keys

Windows key + Ctrl + C: Turn on color filters

Windows key + Ctrl + N: Turn on high contrast mode

Windows key + Enter: Turn on Narrator

Shortcuts for Media Playback

These keyboard shortcuts will help you control media playback on your computer.

Spacebar: Play or pause media

Ctrl + P: Play the previous media item

Ctrl + N: Play the next media item

Ctrl + Shift + P: Play a media item from the beginning

Ctrl + Shift + N: Play a media item from the end

Shortcuts for Microsoft Office

If you use Microsoft Office, these keyboard shortcuts will help you work more efficiently.

Ctrl + S: Save a document

Ctrl + O: Open a document

Ctrl + N: Create a new document

Ctrl + P: Print a document

Ctrl + F12: Open the Save As dialog box

Ctrl + Shift + F12: Print a document

Ctrl + F1: Show or hide the Ribbon

Ctrl + F2: Open the Print Preview window

Alt + F8: Open the Macro dialog box

Alt + F11: Open the Visual Basic Editor

Shortcuts for Command Prompt

If you use Command Prompt, these keyboard shortcuts will help you work more efficiently.

Ctrl + C: Interrupt a command

Ctrl + V: Paste text into the command prompt

Ctrl + A: Select all text in the command prompt

F7: Display a list of recently used commands

F8: Search through previously used commands

Shortcuts for Virtual Desktops

If you use virtual desktops, these keyboard shortcuts will help you manage them more efficiently.

Windows key + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop

Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close the current virtual desktop

Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow: Switch to the virtual desktop on the left

Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow: Switch to the virtual desktop on the right

Windows key + Tab: Open Task View and switch between virtual desktops

Shortcuts for System Administration

If you’re a system administrator, these keyboard shortcuts will help you manage your systems more efficiently

Windows key + E: Open File Explorer

Windows key + R: Open the Run dialog box

Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager

Windows key + I: Open Settings

Windows key + Break: Open System Information

Windows key + Pause: Open System Properties

Windows key + K: Open the Connect app to connect to wireless displays and audio devices

Windows key + H: Open the Share charm

Windows key + L: Lock your PC

Ctrl + Alt + Del: Access the security options menu

how totech
Like

About the Creator

Gobi Munusamy

Experienced writer and content creator with a passion for storytelling and a talent for crafting compelling narratives. Skilled in a variety of genres and formats, including personal essays, news Lifehacks, and creative fiction.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.