Learn the Most Useful Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts

In this Ask the Admin, I’ll share some of my favorite keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows 10 more efficiently.

Keyboard shortcuts are useful because they allow you perform tasks that would otherwise require you to move your hand away from the keyboard. Some of the shortcuts here work in all versions of Windows, while others are unique to Windows 10.

The list isn’t by any means exhaustive, but these are the shortcuts I use most often. And even if you’re already a keyboard shortcut master, there might be some new ones below. For a complete official list of Windows 10 shortcuts, see Microsoft’s website here.

WIN stands for the Windows key, which you’ll find down in the bottom left corner of the keyboard, close to the space bar, and can be identified by the Windows logo. For more information on Windows 10 specific features, such as virtual desktops and Snap Assist, see Windows 10 Technical Preview: Using Snap, Task View, and Virtual Desktops on the Petri IT Knowledgebase.

WIN + D

Minimizes all open applications to view the desktop.

WIN + Left/Right Arrow Keys

Snaps the active window left or right.

WIN + E

Opens File Explorer.

CTRL + S

Saves a file.

CTRL + C

Copies text, a picture, file, or another object.

CTRL + X

Cuts text, a picture, file, or another object.

CTRL + V

Pastes text, a picture, file, or another object.

CTRL + ALT + DEL

Allows you to perform several tasks, such as lock the device, open Task Manager, switch user, or sign out. This keyboard shortcut is especially useful when the Explorer shell stops responding and you need to sign out or kill an application or process using Task Manager.

WIN

Opens the Start menu.

WIN + L

Locks your device.

ALT + TAB

Switch between apps on the current desktop.

WIN + TAB

Opens Task View, which allows you to switch between all running apps, swap to a different virtual desktop, or create a new virtual desktop.

WIN + CTRL + Left/Right Arrow Keys

Scrolls between open virtual desktops.

WIN + CTRL + D

Create a new virtual desktop.

WIN + HOME

Minimize all but the active window.

ALT + Left/Right Arrow Keys

Move backward or forward.