Windows Shortcuts

Windows keyboard shortcuts.

The Windows shortcuts worth memorising — search by name or keys, and copy as you go.

Essentials
CopyCtrl+C
CutCtrl+X
PasteCtrl+V
Paste as plain textCtrl++V
UndoCtrl+Z
RedoCtrl+Y
Select allCtrl+A
SaveCtrl+S
PrintCtrl+P
FindCtrl+F
Text editing
BoldCtrl+B
ItalicCtrl+I
UnderlineCtrl+U
Move one word left / rightCtrl+←/→
Delete previous wordCtrl+
Start / end of lineHome+/ End
Select to start / end of line+Home / End
Top / bottom of documentCtrl+Home / End
Windows & desktop
Switch appsAlt+Tab
Close appAlt+F4
Task view+Tab
Snap window left / right+←/→
Show desktop+D
Lock PC+L
Open Settings+I
Search+S
Run dialog+R
Task ManagerCtrl++Esc
Screenshots & capture
Snip an area (Snipping Tool)++S
Copy whole screenPrtSc
Copy active windowAlt+PrtSc
Save full screenshot+PrtSc
Open Game Bar+G
Emoji picker+.
File Explorer
Open File Explorer+E
New folderCtrl++N
PropertiesAlt+Enter
RenameF2
Delete to Recycle BinDel
Delete permanently+Del
Up one folderAlt+
Browser
New tabCtrl+T
Close tabCtrl+W
Reopen closed tabCtrl++T
Next / previous tabCtrl+Tab
Focus address barCtrl+L
Reload pageCtrl+R
Back / forwardAlt+←/→

Ctrl and the Windows key do the work

Most Windows shortcuts are built on two keys. Ctrl handles the universal editing actions — Ctrl + C to copy, Ctrl + V to paste, Ctrl + Z to undo, Ctrl + S to save — that work in nearly every program. The ⊞ Windows key powers the system-level tricks that people who look fast on a PC tend to lean on: ⊞ + E opens File Explorer, ⊞ + L locks the machine instantly, ⊞ + D shows the desktop, and ⊞ on its own opens the Start menu so you can search and launch anything by typing.

Window snapping is the standout

If you learn one thing from this page, make it window snapping. ⊞ + Left or Right arrow snaps the current window to half the screen; follow with Up or Down and it tucks into a quarter. On a single monitor this is the difference between constantly dragging and resizing windows and arranging a clean side-by-side layout in a second. Pair it with Alt + Tab to switch apps and ⊞ + Tab for Task View and virtual desktops, and managing a crowded screen becomes effortless.

Screenshots, files and text

For screenshots, ⊞ + Shift + S opens the Snipping Tool to grab any area to the clipboard — far more useful than the old Print Screen for most jobs — while ⊞ + PrtSc saves a full-screen capture straight to your Pictures folder. In File Explorer, F2 renames, Ctrl + Shift + N makes a new folder, and Alt + Enter opens properties. For text, hold Ctrl to move the cursor a whole word at a time, and add Shift to select as you go — small habits that make editing noticeably quicker.

Make them stick

Don't try to learn the whole list at once. Choose a few — snapping, Alt + Tab, ⊞ + E and the snip shortcut are great starting points — and use them on purpose until they're automatic. Press / to search this page whenever one slips your mind. Switching between platforms? Compare with the Mac keyboard shortcuts, or dive into app lists like Excel and Chrome.

FAQ

How do I take a screenshot on Windows?
Press ⊞ + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool and capture an area, PrtSc to copy the whole screen, or ⊞ + PrtSc to save a full screenshot to your Pictures folder.
How do I snap a window in Windows?
Press ⊞ + Left or ⊞ + Right arrow to snap the active window to that half of the screen; add Up or Down to snap into quarters.
What does the Windows key do?
The ⊞ Windows key opens the Start menu on its own and powers many shortcuts — ⊞ + E opens File Explorer, ⊞ + L locks the PC, and ⊞ + D shows the desktop.

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