The most common Windows keyboard shortcuts…
Windows keyboard shortcuts allow you to save a ton of time and steps when you are trying to work more efficiently with your files and applications in Windows. Knowing the correct combination of keys to press on the keyboard will allow you to quickly and easily copy, paste, close, or otherwise interact with your computer by just pressing a few buttons. With thousands of possible combinations, how are you to know which keys need to be pressed together to get the job done quickly and easily? Read on to see my list of common Windows keyboard shortcuts.
Common Windows keyboard shortcuts
I’ve compiled a list below of the most common Windows keyboard shortcuts that should help you with your daily Windows activities. Most of these shortcuts should work universally well in Windows itself as well as in specific programs like Word or Excel, so please read through the list of Windows keyboard shortcuts and if you have a question about one of the keyboard shortcuts, or, would like to know if a keyboard shortcut exists for a different command, e-mail me and I’ll be happy to help!
|
Keyboard Shortcut |
Action |
| Ctrl+A |
Select all items in a document or window |
| Ctrl+C | Copy the selected item |
| Ctrl+X | Cut the selected item |
| Ctrl+V | Paste the selected item |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo an action |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo an action |
| Delete | Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin |
| Shift+Delete | Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first |
| Ctrl+Right Arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word |
| Ctrl+Left Arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
| Ctrl+Down Arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
| Ctrl+Up Arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
| Ctrl+Shift with an arrow key | Select a block of text |
| Shift with any arrow key | Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| F3 | Opens the Search window to search for a file or folder |
| F4 | Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer |
| F5 | Refreshes the active window |
| F6 | Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop |
| F10 | Activate the menu bar in the active program |
| Alt+F4 | Close the active item, or exit the active program |
| Ctrl+F4 | Closes the active document |
| Shift+F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item |
| Windows Key + Tab | Cycles through open programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D task switcher |
| Windows Key + M | Minimizes all open windows |
| Alt+Tab | Switch between open items |
| Ctrl+Alt+Tab | Opens task switcher window & allows use of the arrow keys to switch between open programs |
| Esc | Cancels the current task |
| Alt+Esc | Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened |
| Ctrl+Esc | Open the Start menu |
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Opens the Task Manager |
| Alt+underlined letter | Display the corresponding menu |
| Alt+underlined letter | Performs the menu command (or other underlined command) |
| Alt+Up Arrow | View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer |
A complete guide to all of the available windows keyboard shortcuts can be found directly from Microsoft’s Support page on Windows Keyboard Shortcuts.
More Windows keyboard shortcuts…
Do you have favorite windows keyboard shortcuts that you find invaluable to you? Do you use certain windows keyboard shortcuts everyday, and think other people might not know about it? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below so that other readers can learn from you as well!
Was this Tech Help article on common Windows keyboard shortcuts helpful?
If you found this article to be helpful to you, please let me know by clicking the “Thank You” button below, adding your comments, or rating this article using the five stars at the beginning of the article. If this article did not help you find the answer you were looking for, than please leave a comment, or send me an e-mail for further help, and I will be happy to assist you further!
- By Jim Sabellico
