Windows OS Keyboard Shortcuts

Complete keyboard shortcut reference for Windows operating system.

General

Action Shortcut
Open Start menu N/AWinN/A
Open Search N/AWinSN/A
Open Settings N/AWinIN/A
Lock the computer N/AWinLN/A
Open Action Center / Quick Settings N/AWinAN/A
Open emoji picker N/AWin.N/A
Open Run dialog N/AWinRN/A
Open Power User menu N/AWinXN/A
Open Widgets N/AWinWN/A
Show or hide the desktop N/AWinDN/A
Open Ease of Access / Accessibility settings N/AWinUN/A

Window Management

Action Shortcut
Snap window to left half N/AWinLeftN/A
Snap window to right half N/AWinRightN/A
Maximize window N/AWinUpN/A
Minimize window N/AWinDownN/A
Minimize all windows N/AWinMN/A
Restore minimized windows N/AWinShiftMN/A
Open Task View N/AWinTabN/A
Create new virtual desktop N/AWinCtrlDN/A
Close current virtual desktop N/AWinCtrlF4N/A
Switch to next virtual desktop N/AWinCtrlRightN/A
Switch to previous virtual desktop N/AWinCtrlLeftN/A
Open Snap Layouts (Win 11) N/AWinZN/A

File Explorer

Action Shortcut
Open File Explorer N/AWinEN/A
Create a new folder N/ACtrlShiftNN/A
Rename selected item N/AF2N/A
Delete selected item N/ADeleteN/A
Permanently delete (skip Recycle Bin) N/AShiftDeleteN/A
Focus the address bar N/AAltDN/A
Open Preview pane N/AAltPN/A
Go up one folder level N/AAltUpN/A
Go back N/AAltLeftN/A
Go forward N/AAltRightN/A
Select all items N/ACtrlAN/A
Open Properties for selected item N/AAltEnterN/A

Taskbar

Action Shortcut
Switch between open apps N/AAltTabN/A
Cycle through apps on the taskbar N/AWinTN/A
Open app pinned at taskbar position N N/AWin1-9N/A
Open Task Manager N/ACtrlShiftEscN/A
Open Notification Center (Win 11) N/AWinNN/A
Open system tray overflow N/AWinBN/A
Switch to last active window N/AAltEscN/A
Open Security Screen N/ACtrlAltDeleteN/A
Peek at the desktop N/AWin,N/A
Open new instance of taskbar app N/AWinShift1-9N/A

Screenshots & Recording

Action Shortcut
Capture full screen to clipboard N/APrtScnN/A
Save full screenshot to Pictures N/AWinPrtScnN/A
Capture active window to clipboard N/AAltPrtScnN/A
Open Snipping Tool / snip overlay N/AWinShiftSN/A
Open Xbox Game Bar N/AWinGN/A
Start / stop Game Bar recording N/AWinAltRN/A
Record last 30 seconds (Game Bar) N/AWinAltGN/A
Take screenshot with Game Bar N/AWinAltPrtScnN/A
Toggle Game Bar microphone N/AWinAltMN/A

Text Editing

Action Shortcut
Select all N/ACtrlAN/A
Copy N/ACtrlCN/A
Cut N/ACtrlXN/A
Paste N/ACtrlVN/A
Paste as plain text N/ACtrlShiftVN/A
Undo N/ACtrlZN/A
Redo N/ACtrlYN/A
Open Clipboard History N/AWinVN/A
Select word to the right N/ACtrlShiftRightN/A
Select word to the left N/ACtrlShiftLeftN/A
Delete next word N/ACtrlDeleteN/A
Delete previous word N/ACtrlBackspaceN/A

Accessibility

Action Shortcut
Turn on Narrator N/AWinCtrlEnterN/A
Open Magnifier N/AWin+N/A
Zoom in with Magnifier N/AWin+N/A
Zoom out with Magnifier N/AWin-N/A
Close Magnifier N/AWinEscN/A
Toggle High Contrast mode N/ALeft AltLeft ShiftPrtScnN/A
Toggle Sticky Keys N/APress Shift 5 timesN/A
Toggle Color Filters N/AWinCtrlCN/A
Open on-screen keyboard N/AWinCtrlON/A
Start Voice Typing N/AWinHN/A

Command Line

Action Shortcut
Open Windows Terminal N/AWinX then IN/A
Open Terminal as Admin N/AWinX then AN/A
Copy text in terminal N/ACtrlShiftCN/A
Paste text in terminal N/ACtrlShiftVN/A
Open new tab in Terminal N/ACtrlShiftTN/A
Close terminal tab N/ACtrlShiftWN/A
Switch terminal tab N/ACtrlTabN/A
Split terminal pane N/AAltShift+N/A
Open Command Palette in Terminal N/ACtrlShiftPN/A
Scroll up in terminal N/ACtrlShiftUpN/A
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take a screenshot on Windows?
The quickest way is to press Win+Shift+S to open the Snipping Tool overlay, which lets you capture a rectangular area, freeform shape, specific window, or the full screen. The snip is copied to your clipboard. You can also press PrtScn to capture the entire screen to your clipboard, or Win+PrtScn to save a full screenshot directly to your Pictures > Screenshots folder.
How do I snap windows side by side in Windows?
Press Win+Left or Win+Right to snap the active window to the left or right half of the screen. On Windows 11, you can also press Win+Z to open Snap Layouts, which offers additional arrangement options such as thirds and quadrants. After snapping one window, Windows will suggest other open windows to fill the remaining space.
How do I use virtual desktops on Windows?
Press Win+Ctrl+D to create a new virtual desktop. Use Win+Ctrl+Left and Win+Ctrl+Right to switch between desktops. To see all desktops and open windows, press Win+Tab to open Task View. To close the current virtual desktop, press Win+Ctrl+F4. Your open windows on that desktop will move to the adjacent desktop.
What is Clipboard History and how do I use it?
Clipboard History lets you access items you have previously copied, not just the most recent one. Press Win+V to open it. The first time you use it, you may need to enable the feature. Once enabled, it stores text, images, and HTML content you have copied, and you can pin frequently used items so they persist even after restarting your computer.
How do I quickly open Task Manager on Windows?
The fastest way is to press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, which opens Task Manager directly. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager from the security screen, or right-click the taskbar (on Windows 10) and choose Task Manager. In Windows 11, you can also use Win+X and then select Task Manager from the Power User menu.