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>Shift</kbd> + right-click a grouped taskbar button	Show the window menu for the group.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>F8</kbd>	Show your password on the sign-in screen.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-down"></i></kbd>	Snap window in focus to bottom half of screen. New with Windows 11.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-up"></i></kbd>	Snap window in focus to top half of screen. New with Windows 11.	Not available
<kbd>Esc</kbd>	Stop or leave the current task.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-up"></i></kbd>	Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Switch between open apps.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-left"></i></kbd>	Switch between virtual desktops you've created on the left.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i></kbd>	Switch between virtual desktops you've created on the right.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Y</kbd>	Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Spacebar</kbd>	Switch input language and keyboard layout.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd>	Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>S</kbd>	Take a screenshot of part of your screen.	Not available
<kbd>PrtScn</kbd>	Take a screenshot of your whole screen and copy it to the clipboard.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + comma (<kbd>,</kbd>)	Temporarily peek at the desktop.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>K</kbd>	Toggle microphone mute in apps that support Call Mute. Available starting in Windows 11, version 22H2.	Note: Applies to the Xbox Game Bar app version 5.721.7292.0 or newer. To update your Xbox Game Bar, go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates.
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>B</kbd>	Turn HDR on or off	Note: Applies to the Xbox Game Bar app version 5.721.7292.0 or newer. To update your Xbox Game Bar, go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates. Note: Applies to the Xbox Game Bar app version 5.721.7292.0 or newer. To update your Xbox Game Bar, go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates.
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>A</kbd>	Turn on color filters (enable this shortcut first in Color Filter settings).	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Enter</kbd>	Turn on Narrator.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Spacebar</kbd>	Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Z</kbd>	Undo an action.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Tab</kbd>	Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-up"></i></kbd>	View the folder that the folder was in.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i></kbd>	View the next folder.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd><i class="fa fa-arrow-left"></i></kbd>	View the previous folder.	Not available
<kbd>Backspace</kbd>	View the previous folder.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>B</kbd>	Wake PC from blank or black screen.	Not available
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + arrow keys	When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified.	Not available
<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + arrow keys	When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder.	Not available
<kbd><i class="fa fa-windows"></i></kbd> + Minus (<kbd>-</kbd)	Zoom out in Magnifier.	Not available