Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts

Typical PC Keyboard

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10. Take, say, 3 a day. Use them and learn them and remember them. Doing so will save you tons of time.

Press this key Combo.
To do this…
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app
Windows logo key  + L Lock your PC
Windows logo key  + D Display and hide the desktop
F2 Rename the selected item
F3 Search for a file or folder in File Explorer
F4 Display the address bar list in File Explorer
F5 Refresh the active window
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F10 Activate the Menu bar in the active app
Alt + F8 Show your password on the sign-in screen
Alt + Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command for that letter
Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item
Alt + Spacebar Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Alt + Left arrow Go back
Alt + Right arrow Go forward
Alt + Page Up Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down Move down one screen
Ctrl + F4 Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and let you have multiple documents open at the same time)
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + D (or Delete) Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refresh the active window
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
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 + Alt + Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + arrow keys When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key Select a block of text
Ctrl + Esc Open Start
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Shift Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available
Ctrl + Spacebar Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off
Shift + F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Shift with any arrow key Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document
Shift + Delete Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
Right arrow Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left arrow Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
Esc Stop or leave the current task

Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Windows logo key  Open or close Start
Windows logo key  + A Open Action center
Windows logo key  + B Set focus in the notification area
Windows logo key  + C

Open Cortana in listening mode

Notes

  • This shortcut is turned off by default. To turn it on, open Cortana from the search box on the taskbar, then select Settings  . Turn on the toggle under Let Cortana listen for my commands when I press the Windows logo key  + C.
  • Cortana is available only in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana features might not be available everywhere. If Cortana isn't available or is turned off, you can still use search.
Windows logo key  + Shift + C Open the charms menu
Windows logo key  + D Display and hide the desktop
Windows logo key  + Alt + D Display and hide the date and time on the desktop
Windows logo key  + E Open File Explorer
Windows logo key  + F Open Feedback Hub
Windows logo key  + G Open Game bar when a game is open
Windows logo key  + I Open Settings
Windows logo key  + J  Set focus to a Windows tip when one is available.

When a Windows tip appears, bring focus to the Tip.  Pressing the keyboard shortcuts again to bring focus to the element on the screen to which the Windows tip is anchored.

Windows logo key  + K Open the Connect quick action
Windows logo key  + L Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows logo key  + M Minimize all windows
Windows logo key  + O Lock device orientation
Windows logo key  + P Choose a presentation display mode
Windows logo key  + R Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key  + S Open search
Windows logo key  + T Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows logo key  + U Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key  + V Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key  + Shift + V Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows logo key  + X Open the Quick Link menu
Windows logo key  + Z Show the commands available in an app in full-screen mode
Windows logo key  + comma (,) Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows logo key  + Pause Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + F Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
Windows logo key  + Shift + M Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows logo key  + number Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
Windows logo key  + Shift + number Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + number Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key  + Alt + number Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Shift + number Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator
Windows logo key  + Tab Open Task view
Windows logo key  + Up arrow Maximize the window
Windows logo key  + Down arrow Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window
Windows logo key  + Left arrow Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
Windows logo key  + Right arrow Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
Windows logo key  + Home Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)
Windows logo key  + Shift + Up arrow Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows logo key  + Shift + Down arrow Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
Windows logo key  + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another
Windows logo key  + Spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Spacebar Change to a previously selected input
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Enter Open Narrator
Windows logo key  + forward slash (/) Begin IME reconversion
Windows logo key  + plus (+) or minus (-) Zoom in or out using Magnifier
Windows logo key  + Esc Exit Magnifier

 

Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected text
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected text
Ctrl + M Enter Mark mode
Alt + selection key Begin selection in block mode
Arrow keys Move the cursor in the direction specified
Page up Move the cursor by one page up
Page down Move the cursor by one page down
Ctrl + Home (Mark mode) Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer
Ctrl + End (Mark mode) Move the cursor to the end of the buffer
Ctrl + Up arrow Move up one line in the output history
Ctrl + Down arrow Move down one line in the output history
Ctrl + Home (History navigation) If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the top of the buffer. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the left of the cursor in the command line.
Ctrl + End (History navigation) If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the command line. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the right of the cursor in the command line.

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
F4 Display the items in the active list
Ctrl + Tab Move forward through tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Move back through tabs
Ctrl + number (number 1–9) Move to nth tab
Tab Move forward through options
Shift + Tab Move back through options
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter
Spacebar Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Backspace Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
Arrow keys Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Alt + D Select the address bar
Ctrl + E Select the search box
Ctrl + F Select the search box
Ctrl + N Open a new window
Ctrl + W Close the active window
Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
Ctrl + Shift + E Display all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl + Shift + N Create a new folder
Num Lock + asterisk (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + plus (+) Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + minus (-) Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P Display the preview panel
Alt + Enter Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt + Right arrow View the next folder
Alt + Up arrow View the folder that the folder was in
Alt + Left arrow View the previous folder
Backspace View the previous folder
Right arrow Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Left arrow Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in
End Display the bottom of the active window
Home Display the top of the active window
F11 Maximize or minimize the active window

Virtual desktops keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Windows logo key  + Tab Open Task view
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + D Add a virtual desktop
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Right arrow Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the right
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Left arrow Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the left
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + F4 Close the virtual desktop you're using

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app
Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app as an administrator
Shift + right-click a taskbar button Show the window menu for the app
Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button Show the window menu for the group
Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button Cycle through the windows of the group

 

Settings keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Windows logo key  + I Open settings
Backspace Go back to the settings home page
Type on any page with search box Search settings

Additional keyboard shortcuts

 

Windows 8.1 & Windows 8.1 RT

Top keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains common keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app
Windows logo key  + L Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows logo key  + D Display and hide the desktop


New keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains new keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows.

Press this key To do this
Windows logo key  + start typing Search your PC
Ctrl + plus (+) or Ctrl + minus (-) Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Ctrl + scroll wheel Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Windows logo key‌  + C Open the charms

In an app, open the commands for the app

Windows logo key  + F Open the Search charm to search files
Windows logo key  + H Open the Share charm
Windows logo key + I Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key  + K Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key‌  + O Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape)
Windows logo key‌  + Q Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within an open app (if the app supports app search)
Windows logo key + S Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key‌  + W Open the Search charm to search settings
Windows logo key‌  + Z Show the commands available in the app

Note

You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.

Windows logo key‌  + spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows logo key‌  + Ctrl + spacebar Change to a previously selected input
Windows logo key‌  + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key‌  + Ctrl + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key‌  + Shift + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Windows logo key‌  + Shift + period (.) Snaps an app to the left
Windows logo key‌  + period (.) Cycle through open apps
Esc Stop or exit the current task


General keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts in Windows.

Press this key To do this
F1 Display Help
F2 Rename the selected item
F3 Search for a file or folder
F4 Display the address bar list in File Explorer
F5 Refresh the active window
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F10 Activate the Menu bar in the active app
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app
Alt + Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command for that letter
Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item
Alt + Spacebar Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Alt + Left arrow Back
Alt + Right arrow Forward
Alt + Page Up Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down Move down one screen
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps (except desktop apps)
Ctrl + F4 Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + D (or Delete) Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refresh the active window
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Ctrl + plus (+) or Ctrl + minus (-) Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel Change the size of desktop icons or zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
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 + Alt + Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key Select a block of text
Ctrl + Esc Open Start
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Shift Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available
Ctrl + Spacebar Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off
Shift + F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Shift with any arrow key Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
Shift + Delete Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
Right arrow Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left arrow Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
Esc Stop or leave the current task

Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key .

Press this key To do this
Windows logo key + F1 Open Windows Help and Support
Windows logo key Display or hide the Start screen
Windows logo key  + B Set focus in the notification area
Windows logo key‌  + C Open the Charms
Windows logo key  + D Display and hide the desktop
Windows logo key  + E Open File Explorer
Windows logo key  + F Open the Search charm and search for files
Windows logo key  + H Open the Share charm
Windows logo key  + I Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key + K Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key  + L Lock your PC or switch people
Windows logo key  + M Minimize all windows
Windows logo key  + O Lock device orientation
Windows logo key  + P Choose a presentation display mode
Windows logo key  + Q Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)
Windows logo key  + R Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key  + S Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key  + T Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows logo key  + U Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key  + V Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key  + Shift + V Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows logo key  + X Open the Quick Link menu
Windows logo key  + Z Show the commands available in an app

Note

You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.

Windows logo key  + , Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows logo key  + Pause Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + F Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
Windows logo key  + Shift + M Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows logo key  + number Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
Windows logo key  + Shift + number Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + number Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key  + Alt + number Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Shift + number Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator
Windows logo key  + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key  + Shift + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + B Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area
Windows logo key  + Up arrow Maximize the window
Windows logo key  + Down arrow Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window
Windows logo key  + Left arrow Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
Windows logo key  + Right arrow Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
Windows logo key  + Home Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)
Windows logo key  + Shift + Up arrow Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows logo key  + Shift + Down arrow Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
Windows logo key  + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another
Windows logo key  + Spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Spacebar Change to a previously selected input
Windows logo key  + Enter Open Narrator
Windows logo key  + Shift + period (.) Cycle through open apps
Windows logo key  + period (.) Cycle through open apps
Windows logo key  + / Initiate IME reconversion
Windows logo key   + Alt + Enter Open WindowsMedia Center
Windows logo key   + plus (+) or minus (-) Zoom in or out using Magnifier
 Windows logo key  + Esc Exit Magnifier

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that you can use in dialog boxes.

Press this key To do this
F1 Display Help
F4 Display the items in the active list
Ctrl + Tab Move forward through tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Move back through tabs
Ctrl + number (number 1–9) Move to nth tab
Tab Move forward through options
Shift + Tab Move back through options
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
Spacebar Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Backspace Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
Arrow keys Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
 Alt + D Select the address bar
Ctrl + E Select the search box
Ctrl + F Select the search box
Ctrl + N Open a new window
Ctrl + W Close the current window
Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
Ctrl + Shift + E Display all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl + Shift + N Create a new folder
Num Lock + asterisk (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + plus (+) Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + minus (-) Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P Display the preview pane
Alt + Enter Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt + Right arrow View the next folder
Alt + Up arrow View the folder that the folder was in
Alt + Left arrow View the previous folder
Backspace View the previous folder
Right arrow Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Left arrow Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in
End Display the bottom of the active window
Home Display the top of the active window
F11 Maximize or minimize the active window

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the desktop taskbar.

Press this key To do this
Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app
Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app as an administrator
Shift + right-click a taskbar button Show the window menu for the app
Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button Show the window menu for the group
Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button Cycle through the windows of the group

Remote Desktop Connection on the desktop keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Alt + Page Up Move between apps from left to right
Alt + Page Down Move between apps from right to left
Alt + Insert Cycle through apps in the order that they were started
Alt + Home Display the Start screen
Ctrl + Alt + Break Switch between a window and full screen
Ctrl + Alt + End Display the Windows Security dialog box
Ctrl + Alt + Home In full-screen mode, activate the connection bar
Alt + Delete Display the system menu
Ctrl + Alt + minus (-) on the numeric keypad Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+Print Screen on a local PC)
Ctrl + Alt + plus (+) on the numeric keypad Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Print Screen on a local PC)
Ctrl + Alt + Right arrow “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.
Ctrl + Alt + Left arrow “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.

Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with the Help viewer.

Press this key To do this
F3 Move the cursor to the search box
F10 Display the Options menu
Home Move to the beginning of a topic
End Move to the end of a topic
Alt + Left arrow Move back to the previously viewed topic
Alt + Right arrow Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
Alt + Home Display the Help and Support home page
Alt + A Display the customer support page
Alt + C Display the Table of Contents
Alt + N Display the Connection Settings menu
Ctrl + F Search the current topic
Ctrl + P Print a topic

App rearranging shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for rearranging modern apps.

Note

Keep the Windows logo key pressed down continuously while you're rearranging apps, from the moment you enter rearrange mode and through all the various rearrange commands. When you're done rearranging, release your finger from the Windows logo key to select the current arrangement.

Press this key To do this
Windows logo key  + . (period) Enter rearrange mode and select apps or dividers across monitors
Windows logo key  + left arrow Move app divider left
Windows logo key  + right arrow Move app divider right
Windows logo key  + up arrow Maximize app
Windows logo key  + down arrow Close app
Windows logo key + Esc Exit rearrange mode

Additional keyboard shortcuts

Windows 7

General keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts.

Press this key  To do this
F1 Display Help
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
Delete (or Ctrl + D) 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
F2 Rename the selected item
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
Ctrl with any arrow key + Spacebar Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
F3 Search for a file or folder
Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active program
Alt + Spacebar Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Ctrl + F4 Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Alt + Tab Switch between open items
Ctrl + Alt + Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel Change the size of icons on the desktop
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Tab

Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Ctrl+Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Tab

Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Alt + Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4 Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
Shift + F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Ctrl + Esc Open the Start menu
Alt + underlined letter Display the corresponding menu
Alt + underlined letter Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)
F10 Activate the menu bar in the active program
Right Arrow Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left Arrow Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
F5 (or Ctrl + R) Refresh the active window
Alt + Up Arrow View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
Esc Cancel the current task
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager
Shift when you insert a CD Prevent the CD from automatically playing
Left Alt + Shift Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
Ctrl+Shift Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
Right or Left Ctrl + Shift Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for use in dialog boxes.

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + Tab Move forward through tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Move back through tabs
Tab Move forward through options
Shift + Tab Move back through options
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
Enter Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
Spacebar Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow keys Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F1 Display Help
F4 Display the items in the active list
Backspace Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key
Press this key To do this
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key
Open or close the Start menu.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ D

Display the desktop.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ M

Minimize all windows.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Shift + M

Restore minimized windows to the desktop.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ E

Open Computer.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ F

Search for computers (if you're on a network).
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ L

Lock your computer or switch users.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ R

Open the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ T

Cycle through programs on the taskbar.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ number

Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.
Shift+Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ number

Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Ctrl+Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ number

Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Alt+Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ number

Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Tab

Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Tab

Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Ctrl+Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ B

Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Spacebar

Preview the desktop.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Up Arrow

Maximize the window.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Left Arrow

Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Right Arrow

Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Down Arrow

Minimize the window.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Home

Minimize all but the active window.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Shift + Up Arrow

Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ Shift + Left Arrow or Right Arrow

Move a window from one monitor to another.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ P

Choose a presentation display mode.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ G

Cycle through gadgets.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ U

Open Ease of Access Center.
Windows logo key

Picture of the Windows logo key

+ X

Open Windows Mobility Center.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + N Open a new window
Ctrl + W Close the current window
Ctrl + Shift + N Create a new folder
End Display the bottom of the active window
Home Display the top of the active window
F11 Maximize or minimize the active window
Ctrl + Period (.) Rotate a picture clockwise
Ctrl + Comma (,) Rotate a picture counter-clockwise
Num Lock + Asterisk (*) on numeric keypad Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + Plus Sign (+) on numeric keypad Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + Minus Sign (-) on numeric keypad Collapse the selected folder
Left Arrow Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the parent folder
Alt + Enter Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt + P Display the preview pane
Alt + Left Arrow View the previous folder
Backspace View the previous folder
Right Arrow Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Alt + Right Arrow View the next folder
Alt + Up Arrow View the parent folder
Ctrl + Shift + E Display all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
Alt + D Select the address bar
 Ctrl + E  Select the search box
 Ctrl + F  Select the search box

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the desktop taskbar.

Press this key To do this
Shift + click a taskbar button Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program
Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button Open a program as an administrator
Shift + right-click a taskbar button Show the window menu for the program
Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button Show the window menu for the group
Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button Cycle through the windows of the group

Remote Desktop Connection on the desktop keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Remote Desktop Connection.

Press this key To do this
Alt + Page Up Move between apps from left to right
Alt + Page Down Move between apps from right to left
Alt + Insert Cycle through programs in the order that they were started in.
Alt + Home Display the Start menu.
Ctrl + Alt + Break Switch between a window and full screen
Ctrl + Alt + End Display the Windows Security dialog box
Alt + Delete Display the system menu.
Ctrl + Alt + Minus Sign (-) on the numeric keypad Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+PrtScn on a local computer).
Ctrl + Alt + Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing PrtScn on a local computer).
Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.
Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host program (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) program.

 

Note

Ctrl+Alt+Break and Ctrl+Alt+End are available in all Remote Desktop sessions, even when you've set up the remote computer to recognize Windows keyboard shortcuts.

Paint keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Paint.

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + N Create a new picture
Ctrl + O Open an existing picture
Ctrl + S Save changes to a picture
F12 Save the picture as a new file
Ctrl + P Print a picture
Alt + F4 Close a picture and its Paint window
Ctrl + Z Undo a change
Ctrl + Y Redo a change
Ctrl + A Select the entire picture
Ctrl + X Cut a selection
Ctrl + C Copy a selection to the Clipboard
Ctrl + V Paste a selection from the Clipboard
Right Arrow Move the selection or active shape right by one pixel
Left Arrow Move the selection or active shape left by one pixel
Down Arrow Move the selection or active shape down by one pixel
Up Arrow Move the selection or active shape up by one pixel
Esc Cancel a selection
Delete Delete a selection
Ctrl + B Bold selected text
Ctrl + + Increase the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
Ctrl + - Decrease the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel
Ctrl + U Underline selected text
Ctrl + E Open the Properties dialog box
Ctrl + W Open the Resize and Skew dialog box
Ctrl + Page Up Zoom in
Ctrl + Page Down Zoom out
F11 View a picture in full-screen mode
Ctrl + R Show or hide the ruler
Ctrl + G Show or hide gridlines
 F10 or Alt  Display keytips
 Shift + F10  Show the current shortcut menu
 F1  Open Paint Help

WordPad keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with WordPad.

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + N Create a new document
Ctrl + O Open an existing document
Ctrl + S Save changes to a document
F12 Save the document as a new file
Ctrl + P Print a document
Alt + F4 Close WordPad
Ctrl + Z Undo a change
Ctrl + Y Redo a change
Ctrl + A Select the entire document
Ctrl + X Cut a selection
Ctrl + C Copy a selection to the Clipboard
Ctrl + V Paste a selection from the Clipboard
Ctrl + B Make selected text bold
Ctrl + I Italicize selected text
Ctrl + U Underline selected text
Ctrl + = Make selected text subscript
Ctrl + Shift + = Make selected text superscript
Ctrl + L Align text left
Ctrl + E Align text center
Ctrl + R Align text right
Ctrl + J Justify text
Ctrl + 1 Set single line spacing
Ctrl + 2 Set double line spacing
Ctrl + 5 Set line spacing to 1.5
Ctrl + Shift + > Increase the font size
Ctrl + Shift + < Decrease the font size
Ctrl + Shift + A Change characters to all capitals
Ctrl + Shift + L Change the bullet style
Ctrl + D Insert a Microsoft Paint drawing
Ctrl + F Find text in a document
F3 Find the next instance of the text in the Find dialog box
Ctrl + H Replace text in a document
 Ctrl + Left Arrow  Move the cursor one word to the left
 Ctrl + Right Arrow  Move the cursor one word to the right
 Ctrl + Up Arrow  Move the cursor to the line above
 Ctrl + Down Arrow  Move the cursor to the line below
 Ctrl + Home  Move to the beginning of the document
 Ctrl + End  Move to the end of the document
 Ctrl + Page Up  Move up one page
 Ctrl + Page Down  Move down one page
 Ctrl + Delete  Delete the next word
 F10  Display keytips
 Shift + F10  Show the current shortcut menu
 F1  Open WordPad Help



Calculator keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Calculator.

Press this key To do this
Alt + 1 Switch to Standard mode
Alt + 2 Switch to Scientific mode
Alt + 3 Switch to Programmer mode
Alt + 4 Switch to Statistics mode
Ctrl + E Open date calculations
Ctrl + H Turn calculation history on or off
Ctrl + U Open unit conversion
Alt + C Calculate or solve date calculations and worksheets
F1 Open Calculator Help
Ctrl + Q Press the M- button
Ctrl + P Press the M+ button
Ctrl + M Press the MS button
Ctrl + R Press the MR button
Ctrl + L Press the MC button
% Press the % button
F9 Press the +/– button
/ Press the / button
* Press the * button
+ Press the + button
- Press the button
R Press the 1/× button
@ Press the square root button
0–9 Press the number buttons (0–9)
= Press the = button
. Press the . (decimal point) button
Backspace Press the backspace button
Esc Press the C button
Del Press the CE button
Ctrl + Shift + D Clear the calculation history
F2 Edit the calculation history
Up Arrow key Navigate up in the calculation history
Down Arrow key Navigate down in the calculation history
Esc Cancel editing the calculation history
Enter Recalculate the calculation history after editing
F3 Select Degrees in Scientific mode
F4 Select Radians in Scientific mode
F5 Select Grads in Scientific mode
I Press the Inv button in Scientific mode
D Press the Mod button in Scientific mode
Ctrl + S Press the sinh button in Scientific mode
Ctrl + O Press the cosh button in Scientific mode
Ctrl + T Press the tanh button in Scientific mode
( Press the ( button in Scientific mode
) Press the ) button in Scientific mode
 N  Press the ln button in Scientific mode
 ;  Press the Int button in Scientific mode
 S  Press the sin button in Scientific mode
 O  Press the cos button in Scientific mode
 T  Press the tan button in Scientific mode
 M  Press the dms button in Scientific mode
 P  Press the pi button in Scientific mode
 V  Press the F-E button in Scientific mode
 X  Press the Exp button in Scientific mode
 Q  Press the x^2 button in Scientific mode
 Y  Press the x^y button in Scientific mode
 #  Press the x^3 button in Scientific mode
 L  Press the log button in Scientific mode
 !  Press the n! button in Scientific mode
 Ctrl + Y  Press the y√x button in Scientific mode
 Ctrl + B  Press the 3√x button in Scientific mode
 Ctrl + G  Press the 10x button in Scientific mode
 F5  Select Hex in Programmer mode
 F6  Select Dec in Programmer mode
 F7  Select Oct in Programmer mode
 F8  Select Bin in Programmer mode
 F12  Select Qword in Programmer mode
 F2 Select Dword in Programmer mode
 F3  Select Word in Programmer mode
 F4  Select Byte in Programmer mode
 K  Press the RoR button in Programmer mode
 J  Press the RoL button in Programmer mode
 <  Press the Lsh button in Programmer mode
 >  Press the Rsh button in Programmer mode
 %  Press the Mod button in Programmer mode
 ( Press the ( button in Programmer mode
)  Press the ) button in Programmer mode
 |  Press the Or button in Programmer mode
 ^  Press the Xor button in Programmer mode
 ~  Press the Not button in Programmer mode
 &  Press the And button in Programmer mode
 A–F Press the AF buttons in Programmer mode
 Spacebar  Toggles the bit value in Programmer mode
 A  Press the Average button in Statistics mode
 Ctrl + A  Press the Average Sq button in Statistics mode
 S   Press the Sum button in Statistics mode
Ctrl+S  Press the Sum Sq button in Statistics mode
 T   Press the S.D. button in Statistics mode
 Ctrl+T   Press the Inv S.D. button in Statistics mode
 D  Press the CAD button in Statistics mode


Windows Journal keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Journal.

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + N Start a new note
Ctrl + O Open a recently used note
Ctrl + S Save changes to a note
Ctrl + Shift + V Move a note to a specific folder
Ctrl + P Print a note
Alt + F4 Close a note and its Journal window
Ctrl + Z Undo a change
Ctrl + Y Redo a change
Ctrl + A Select all items on a page
Ctrl + X Cut a selection
Ctrl + C Copy a selection to the Clipboard
 Ctrl + V  Paste a selection from the Clipboard
 Esc  Cancel a selection
 Delete  Delete a selection
 Ctrl + F  Start a basic find
 Ctrl + G  Go to a page
 F5  Refresh find results
 F5  Refresh the note list
 F6  Toggle between a note list and a note
 Ctrl + Shift + C  Display a shortcut menu for column headings in a note list
F11  View a note in full-screen mode
 F1  Open Journal Help


Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with the Help viewer.

Press this key To do this
Alt + C Display the Table of Contents
Alt + N Display the Connection Settings menu
F10 Display the Options menu
Alt + Left Arrow Move back to the previously viewed topic
Alt + Right Arrow Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
Alt + A Display the customer support page
Alt + Home Display the Help and Support home page
Home Move to the beginning of a topic
End Move to the end of a topic
Ctrl + F Search the current topic
Ctrl + P Print a topic
 F3  Move the cursor to the search box