Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Autofill DotsA quick-reference list of high-value Windows 10/11 keyboard shortcuts for faster daily work. Last updated: 2026-02-09.
Capture & annotate
Back to top| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Shift + S | Open Snipping Tool overlay (select area/window/full screen). |
| PrtScn | Copy full screen to clipboard (behavior may vary by settings). |
| Alt + PrtScn | Copy active window to clipboard. |
| Win + PrtScn | Save full-screen screenshot to Pictures/Screenshots. |
Windows, snapping & multitasking
Back to top| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Alt + Tab | Switch apps (hold Alt, press Tab repeatedly). |
| Win + Tab | Task View (open windows + desktops). |
| Win + D | Show desktop (toggle). |
| Win + M | Minimize all windows. |
| Win + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows. |
| Win + ↑ / ↓ | Maximize / restore / minimize the current window. |
| Win + ← / → | Snap window left/right. |
| Win + Z | Snap Layouts (Windows 11). |
| Win + Shift + ← / → | Move window to another monitor. |
| Alt + F4 | Close active app/window. |
| Alt + Space | Open window menu (Move/Size/Minimize/Maximize/Close). |
Virtual desktops
Back to top| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop. |
| Win + Ctrl + ← / → | Switch between desktops. |
| Win + Ctrl + F4 | Close the current desktop. |
| Win + Tab | Open Task View to manage desktops and windows. |
File Explorer & files
Back to top| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + E | Open File Explorer. |
| Alt + ← / → | Back / forward (Explorer and many apps). |
| Alt + ↑ | Go up one folder level (Explorer). |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder. |
| F2 | Rename selected item. |
| Ctrl + L | Focus address bar (Explorer and browsers). |
| Shift + Delete | Delete permanently (skip Recycle Bin). |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager (useful when Explorer freezes). |
System & quick access
Back to top| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + L | Lock PC. |
| Win + R | Open Run dialog. |
| Win + I | Open Settings. |
| Win + X | Power user menu (Device Manager, Terminal, etc.). |
| Win + S | Search. |
| Win + A | Quick Settings / Action Center (varies by Windows version). |
| Win + P | Project (display modes: PC screen only / duplicate / extend / second screen). |
| Win + K | Connect to wireless display / audio device. |
| Win + Ctrl + Shift + B | Reset graphics driver (screen flashes; can recover from display glitches). |
Text, writing & clipboard
Back to top| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C / V / X | Copy / paste / cut. |
| Ctrl + Z / Y | Undo / redo. |
| Ctrl + A | Select all. |
| Ctrl + F | Find in page/document. |
| Win + V | Clipboard history (enable once, then paste from history). |
| Win + . (or Win + ;) | Emoji / symbols panel (Windows version dependent). |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete previous word. |
| Ctrl + ← / → | Jump cursor by word. |
Useful “everywhere” shortcuts
Back to top| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + W | Close tab/document (browsers, editors, many apps). |
| Ctrl + T | New tab (browsers and some apps). |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen last closed tab (browsers). |
| Ctrl + L | Focus address bar / location bar. |
| F5 | Refresh (browsers, some apps). |
| Ctrl + + / - / 0 | Zoom in / out / reset (browsers and many apps). |
Tip: Memorize Win + Shift + S, Win + E, Win + V, and Win + Tab first—highest ROI for most workflows.