All Key Board Shortcuts and Hotkeys - Windows Version

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts (Hotkeys) You Should Know

Keyboard shortcuts can save a lot of time while working on Windows. Instead of using the mouse for everything, these hotkeys help you perform common tasks faster and more efficiently.

Below is a useful collection of Windows shortcuts, explained in simple language.

🔹 System & Windows Shortcuts

Shift + F10

• Acts like a right-click on the selected item.

Win + L

• Locks your Windows session instantly.

Win + F / F3

• Opens the Find dialog to search for files.
• (Note: F3 may behave differently in some applications.)

Win + Ctrl + F

• Opens the Find dialog for searching computers on a network.

Win + U

• Opens Utility Manager / Accessibility options.

Win + F1

• Opens Windows Help.

Win + Pause/Break

• Opens the System Properties window.

Win + Tab

• Cycles through taskbar buttons.

Win + Shift + Tab

• Cycles through taskbar buttons in reverse order.

🔹 Task Switching & Window Management

Alt + Tab

• Switch between open applications.

Alt + Shift + Tab

• Switch between applications in reverse order.

Alt + Esc

• Sends the active window to the bottom of the stack.

Alt + Shift + Esc

• Activates the window at the bottom of the stack.

Alt + F4

• Closes the active window.
• If no windows are open, it opens the shutdown dialog.

Ctrl + W

• Closes the current window or tab.

Ctrl + F4

• Closes the active tab or child window.

🔹 Startup & Security Shortcuts

Hold Shift while a CD loads

• Bypasses AutoPlay.

Hold Shift while logging in

• Bypasses Startup folder programs (registry startup items will still load).

Ctrl + Alt + Delete

• Opens Task Manager or Security options.

Ctrl + Shift + Escape

• Opens Task Manager directly.

🔹 Screenshot Shortcuts

Print Screen Key - PrtSc

• Copies the entire screen to the clipboard.

Alt + Print Screen PrtSc

• Copies only the active window to the clipboard.

🔹 Clipboard & Editing Shortcuts

Ctrl + C / Ctrl + Insert

• Copy selected text or files.

Ctrl + X / Shift + Delete

• Cut selected text or files.

Ctrl + V / Shift + Insert

• Paste copied or cut content.

Ctrl + Z

• Undo last action.

Ctrl + A

• Select all items.

Ctrl + F

• Find text or items.

🔹 File & Application Shortcuts

Ctrl + N

• Create a new file, tab, or entry.

Ctrl + S

• Save current file.

Ctrl + O

• Open a file.

Ctrl + P

• Print current document.

🔹 Windows Utility Shortcuts

Win + B

• Moves focus to system tray icons.

Win + P

• Opens Print Manager.

Win + C

• Opens Control Panel.

Win + V

• Opens Clipboard history.

Win + K

• Opens Keyboard properties.

Win + I

• Opens Mouse properties.

Win + A

• Opens Accessibility options.

Win + Space

• Displays Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys.

Win + S

• Toggles Caps Lock on or off.

🔹 Function & Menu Keys

F1

• Opens Help.

F11

• Toggles full-screen mode.

Alt or F10

• Activates the menu bar.

Alt + Space

• Opens the system menu of the active window.

Esc

• Cancels current action or closes a dialog box.

Start with a few shortcuts you use daily, and gradually add more to your workflow.