From the beginning of the Windows OS, it has remained a very versatile operating system that almost covers every age segment. Additionally, it makes using your PC or notebook very easy, as its operation is relatively easy to understand. It provides ease of use in various ways, including keyboard shortcuts.
Generally, keyboard shortcuts are keys or key combinations that provide an alternate way to do a task that you typically do with the mouse. In short, these keys or key combinations eliminate the need for a mouse and provide a quick method to navigate and execute programs in the Windows operating system.
Common Computer keyboard shortcut keys
| Shortcut Keys | Function | Description |
| Ctrl + C | Copy | For copying files, words, or anything in Windows. It will copy the file. |
| Ctrl + X | Cut | For moving a file from one place to another. It will delete the file from the existing location. |
| Ctrl + V | Paste | For pasting the copied (or cut) file or object to a specific place. |
| F11 or Windows Key + Up Arrow | Maximize Window | It will maximize the Window of the currently open application or folder. |
| Windows Key + Down Arrow | Minimize Window | It will minimize the Window of the currently open application or folder. |
| Alt + Spacebar | Window Menu | Pressing these keys displays a menu that lets you move, maximize, or close the current window. |
| Windows Key + Tab | Opens Task View | Task View is a task switcher that lets users quickly locate an open window, hide all windows, and show the desktop. |
| Windows Key + D | Display or Hide Desktop | Pressing this key combination while in a window will display the desktop. On the desktop, pressing these keys will take you back to the window. |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications | When you press these keys at the same time, the Switcher UI pops up, allowing you to switch between open windows. |
| Windows Key + X | Open Quick Link Menu | A brief menu will open, listing advanced system tools such as Event Viewer, Device Manager, Disk Management, Computer Management, and Task Manager. |
| Windows Key + L | Lock the Windows | It will lock your notebook or PC. Enter your password to log in to Windows. |
| Alt + F | Open File Menu | These shortcut keys will open the File menu of the current application (primarily found in Office applications), which allows you to open, save, and close documents or images. It also includes printing and various related options. |
| Alt + E | Open Edit Menu | The Edit menu typically consists of standard editing tasks, including cutting, copying, and pasting text and images, as well as options to undo or redo changes. |
| F1 | Open Help Window | Pressing this key in a program will open the Help window, containing information on how to use that specific application and its functions. |
| F2 | Rename File or Folder | By pressing this key, you can rename the selected file or folder. |
| F5 | Refresh Window | Pressing this key will refresh the current program window. |
| Ctrl + D | Bookmark the Current Page | Pressing this key combination will bookmark the current page in the Browser. |
| Ctrl + N | New/Blank Document or New Tab | A new and blank document will open in Office applications by pressing these keys. In browsers, the new Tab will open by pressing these keys. |
| Ctrl + O | Open File | The Open File dialogue box will appear in a program. |
| Ctrl + A | Select All Text or File/Folder in a Window | It will select all the text in Office applications. In a Window, it will select all the files or folders. |
| Ctrl + B | Bold Text | It will change the selected text to be bold in the document. |
| Ctrl + I | Italic Text | It will change the selected text to be italic in the document. |
| Ctrl + U | Underline Text | It will underline the selected text in the document. |
| Ctrl + F | Find Window | It will open the Find Window for the current document or window. |
| Ctrl + S | Save File | It will save the current document file. |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the Action | You can undo the last action you did on the Window through this key combo. |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the Action | This key combination restores any actions that were previously undone using the undo feature. |
| Ctrl + K | Insert Hyperlink in Text | It inserts a hyperlink on the selected text in a document. |
| Ctrl + P | Print Page or Document | It will print the current page or document. |
| Home | Beginning of Current Line | This will take the text cursor to the beginning of the current line. |
| End | End of Current Line | This will take the text cursor to the end of the current line. |
| Ctrl + Home | Beginning of Document | Takes the text cursor to the start of the document. |
| Ctrl + End | End of Document | Takes the text cursor to the end of the document. |
| Shift + Home | Highlight Text to Line Beginning | Highlight the text from the current position (text cursor) to the existing line’s beginning. |
| Shift + End | Highlight Text to Line End | Highlight the text from the current position (text cursor) to the existing line’s end. |
| Ctrl + Left Arrow | Move Text Cursor to Left | Move the Text Cursor one word to the left at a time. |
| Ctrl + Right Arrow | Move Text Cursor to Right | Move the Text Cursor one word to the right at a time. |
| Ctrl + Esc | Open Start Menu | Pressing these keys together will open the Start Menu. |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager | Pressing these keys together will open the Task Manager. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Esc | Lock, Switch User, and Task Manager menu | A menu will appear, offering the following options: Lock, Switch User, and Task Manager. |
| Alt + F4 | Close the Window | It will close the currently opened Window. |
| Alt + Enter | Open the Properties Menu of a File/Folder | A properties menu will pop up for the selected file or folder. |
| Windows Key + A | Notification Bar | The Notification Bar will appear on the right side |
| Windows Key + W | Windows Ink Workspace | Windows Ink Workspace will be open on pressing these keys together |
| Windows Key + I | Windows Setting | Windows settings will open when pressing these keys. |
| Ctrl + Plus (+) | Zoom In | It will zoom in on the currently open document, image, or webpage. |
| Ctrl + Minus (-) | Zoom Out | It will zoom out the currently open document, image, or webpage. |
| Ctrl + L | Enter URL or File Path in Browser | By pressing this key combination, you can enter the URL or File’s Path in the browser. |
| Windows Key + M | Minimize All Windows | It will minimize all the currently open Windows |
| Windows Key + Shift + M | Undo Minimize All Windows | It will undo all the minimized windows. |
