New Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts you should know

Windows 11 is out, but if you’re still using Windows 10, it’s Ok. Microsoft said it would continue support for its previous operating system through 2025. Windows 10 was designed to be more productive in any field of work. Therefore, Microsoft has added so many keyboard shortcuts for ease of use and also for saving time.

The operating system comes with plenty of built-in keyboard shortcuts – including new shortcuts for the Command Prompt – for those who prefer a physical keyboard. Some of them you already know and some are new.

Here’s a handy list of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for navigating Windows 10. You might also find it useful to know how to open programs with keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10.

Start menu and taskbar

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close and otherwise control the Start menu and the taskbar.

  • Windows key or Ctrl + Esc: Open Start menu.
  • Windows key + X: Open the secret Start menu.
  • Windows key + Alt + [Number]: Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar.
  • Windows key + D: Show or hide desktop (Windows key + , will display the desktop briefly).
  • Windows key + T: Cycle through the apps (including pinned apps) on the taskbar.
  • Windows key + [Number]: Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar. For example, if you have Edge pinned in the first position on the taskbar and you click Windows key + 1, Edge will open. If the app is already open, a new instance or window will open.

The Windows key

These keyboard shortcuts use the Windows logo key to perform various tasks, such as launching both Windows and third-party apps.

  • Windows key + A: Open the Action Center.
  • Windows key + C: Open Cortana in listening mode (similar to saying “Hey, Cortana”).
  • Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. (Windows key + Q does the same thing.)
  • Windows key + E: Open File Explorer.
  • Windows key + F: Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub.
  • Windows key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a network.
  • Windows key + G: Open the Game bar.
  • Windows key + H: Open the Share sidebar.
  • Windows key + I: Open the Settings menu.
  • Windows key + K: Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast).
  • Windows key + L: Lock your computer.
  • Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation.
  • Windows key + P: Open presentation or projection sidebar.
  • Windows key + R: Open the Run window.
  • Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access center.
  • Windows key + W: Open the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.
  • Windows key + Print Screen: Take a screenshot of the entire desktop and save it to the Screenshots folder in the Pictures folder.
  • Windows key + (+) or (-): Zoom in and out with magnifier.
  • Windows key + Esc: Exit magnifier.

The desktop: Windows, Snap Assist and virtual desktops

These shortcuts control how individual windows act on your desktop, including virtual desktops.

  • Windows key + M: Minimize all open windows.
  • Windows key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows.
  • Windows key + Home: Minimize all windows except the selected or currently active window.
  • Windows key + Up arrow: Maximize selected window.
  • Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width.
  • Windows key + Down arrow: Minimize selected window.
  • Windows key + Left arrow or Right arrow: Snap selected window to the left or right half of the screen. (If the window is already there, Windows key + Up or Down will snap it into a quadrant.)
  • Windows key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow: Move selected window to the left or right monitor.
  • Windows key + Tab: Open Task view
  • Windows key + Ctrl + D: Add new virtual desktop.
  • Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow: Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right).
  • Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow: Move to the previous virtual desktop (to the left).
  • Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close current virtual desktop.

Command Prompt

You can use these keyboard shortcuts inside the Windows 10 Command Prompt.

  • Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected text to the clipboard.
  • Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste copied text inside the Command Prompt.
  • Ctrl + A: Select all text on current line. (If current line has no text, all text inside the Command Prompt will be selected.)
  • Ctrl + Up or Down: Move screen one line up or down.
  • Ctrl + M: Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with mouse). Once Mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.
  • Ctrl + F: Search Command Prompt via Find window.
  • Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one character and select text.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one word and select text.
  • Shift + Up or Down: Move cursor up or down one line and select text.
  • Shift + Home or End: Move cursor to beginning or end of current line and select text.
  • Shift + Page Up or Page Down: Move cursor up or down one screen and select text.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Home/End: Move cursor to beginning or end of screen buffer and select text and beginning or end of Command Prompt’s output.

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