Productivity Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that performs a specific action. The shortcuts typically involve one or more modifier keys such as Ctrl, Alt, or Command combined with another key usually a letter, number, or punctuation symbol. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can bypass navigating through menus and dialog boxes in software applications. Tasks that would normally require multiple clicks with a mouse can be accomplished swiftly using shortcuts, and you will be less relying on mouse movements. Professionals who use keyboard shortcuts efficiently perform repetitive actions more quickly. Most software allows customization of keyboard shortcuts. Users can assign their preferred shortcuts for specific functions. Additionally, each application often has its own unique set of shortcuts. We have crafted shortcuts for most commonly used applications across multiple platforms.

Practical Notes

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Keyboard shortcuts are easiest to adopt when you focus on repeated actions instead of trying to memorize an entire application at once.

Start with frequent tasks

Learn the commands you use every hour: search, save, switch tabs, copy, paste, undo, and open command menus.

Mind the platform

The same action may use Ctrl on Windows or Linux and Command on macOS.

Practice in context

Shortcuts stick faster when you use them during real work instead of reading a list once.

Shortcut	Action	Description
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i></kbd>	Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-up"></i></kbd>	Maximize the window.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Home</kbd>	Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke).	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>M</kbd>	Minimize all windows.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-left"></i></kbd> or <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i></kbd>	Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another.	Not available
<kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Move back through options.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Move back through tabs.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-down"></i></kbd>	Move down one line in the output history.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Page Down</kbd>	Move down one screen.	Not available
<kbd>Tab</kbd>	Move forward through options.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Move forward through tabs.	Not available
<kbd>Backspace</kbd>	Move the cursor by one page down.	Not available
<kbd>Page Up</kbd>	Move the cursor by one page up.	Not available
Arrow keys	Move the cursor in the direction specified.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Home</kbd> (Mark mode)	Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-down"></i></kbd>	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i></kbd>	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-up"></i></kbd>	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-left"></i></kbd>	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>End</kbd> (Mark mode)	Move the cursor to the end of the buffer.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + 1, 2, 3,...	Move to that tab number.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + 1, 2, 3,...	Move to that tab number.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Move to the next tab.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Move to the previous tab.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-up"></i></kbd>	Move up one line in the output history.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Page Up</kbd>	Move up one screen.	Not available
<kbd>Backspace</kbd>	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>T</kbd>	Open a new tab and switch to it.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>N</kbd>	Open a new window.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>U</kbd>	Open Accessibility Settings.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + click a taskbar button	Open an app as an administrator.	Not available
<kbd>Shift</kbd> + click a taskbar button	Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>K</kbd>	Open Cast from Quick Settings. Updated in Windows 11.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + period (<kbd>.</kbd>) or semicolon (<kbd>;</kbd>)	Open emoji panel.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>F</kbd>	Open Feedback Hub and take a screenshot.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>E</kbd>	Open File Explorer.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + Plus (<kbd>+</kbd>)	Open Magnifier and zoom in.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>N</kbd>	Open notification center and calendar. Updated in Windows 11.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd>	Open or close Start.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Q</kbd>	Open Quick Assist.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>A</kbd>	Open Quick Settings. Updated in Windows 11.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>E</kbd>	Open Search (in most apps).	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>S</kbd>	Open search.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>I</kbd>	Open settings.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Esc</kbd>	Open Start.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>Esc</kbd>	Open Task Manager.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Open Task view.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Enter</kbd> (on taskbar item focus)	Open taskbar settings.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>C</kbd>	Open the charms menu.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>V</kbd>	Open the clipboard history.	Note: Clipboard history isn't turned on by default. If you'd like to turn it on, use this keyboard shortcut and then select the prompt to turn on history. Or you can select Start > Settings > System > Clipboard , and set Clipboard history to On.