Microsoft may come up with Windows 12 sometime in 2024. In the meantime, Windows 10, launched in 2015, is a widely adopted operating system. It has over a billion users across the globe. The number may increase further until Microsoft ends support in October 2025, which is the standard ten-year period the company follows. Yes, the tech giant did extend support for Windows XP — 12 years — but it is difficult to predict at this stage if that might happen again.
So, why has Windows 10 been so well accepted that many personal and professional users have not yet upgraded to Windows 11? Well, it is secure, responsive, and user-friendly. It rectified most of the problems with Windows 8, a controversial update many users found difficult to adapt to because of questionable typography and abrupt changes like a missing Start menu.
The convenience of using Windows 10 rises with its compatibility with various keyboard shortcuts for day-to-day use. Be mindful that all the following shortcuts might not work for you, depending on your system and geographical region. For example, Cortana may have restricted features and not work with Cantonese or Russian.
System, Settings & Desktop Shortcuts
The bringing back of the Start Menu was perhaps the most welcomed feature of this OS. You can use an expanded version for better visibility of frequently used apps. The Action Center also feels refreshed, comprising Wi-Fi settings, tablet mode, and important notifications.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Shift + B | Wake your system |
| Alt + F8 | Show your password when you are on the sign-in screen |
| Ctrl + Esc Windows logo | Open Start |
| Windows logo + I | Open Settings |
| Backspace | Go to the settings home page |
| Type with the search box (on any page) | Search settings |
| Windows logo + Shift + C | Open the charms menu |
| Windows logo + Alt + D | Show or hide the date and time on the desktop |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Windows logo + R | Open the Run dialog box |
| Windows logo + S | Open search |
| Windows logo + Pause | Display the dialog box for System Properties |
| Windows logo + Tab | Open Task view |
| Windows logo + A | Open Action center |
| Windows logo + B | Focus on the notifications |
| Windows logo + Shift + V | Move through notifications |
| Alt + Shift + arrow keys | Move a group on the Start menu to the stated direction |
| Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys | Move a tile on the Start menu to another tile, creating a folder |
| Ctrl + arrow keys | Resize the Start menu |
| Ctrl + arrow key + Space | Select multiple items on the desktop or a window |
| Windows logo + F | Take a screenshot at the Feedback Hub to report any system issues |
| Windows logo + L | Lock the system |
| Windows logo + , | See the desktop |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + F | Find computers on a network |
Shortcuts for File Explorer
Working with files and folders on Windows 10 is intuitive and right up the street for organization enthusiasts. However, Microsoft has used WinUI 3 and XAML to offer a newer File Explorer in Windows 11.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + E | Open File Explorer |
| F2 | Rename the chosen file |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder |
| Alt + Enter | See the properties for the selected item |
| F4 | See the address bar list |
| Alt + D | Select the address bar |
| Ctrl + E/F | Select the search box. |
| Ctrl + D | Delete the selected item |
| Shift + Delete | Delete the chosen item permanently |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
| Ctrl + W | Close the current window |
| Ctrl + mouse scroll | Modify the look and feel of icons in the File Explorer |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Display all folders above the present one |
| Num Lock + * | Display all subfolders of the present one |
| Alt + P | Display the preview panel |
| Alt + Enter | See the Properties dialog box |
| Num Lock + ‘+’ | Display the contents of the active folder |
| Num Lock + ‘-’ | Collapse the current folder |
| Alt + → | View the next folder |
| Alt + ↑ | View the parent folder |
| Alt + ↑ or Backspace | View the previous folder |
| → | Select the first subfolder or show the current selection |
| ← | Select the parent folder or close the present selection |
Taskbar & Dialog Box Shortcuts
In April 2021, Microsoft brought personalized content to the taskbar to let users access weather, news, and preferred information. The essence is straightforward, focused on speedy multitasking.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + number | Start or switch to the app specified by the number |
| Windows logo + Shift + number | Start a fresh instance of the app specified by the number |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + number | Open the last active window of the app specified by the number |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Shift + number | Start a new instance of the app indicated by the number as an administrator |
| Windows logo + Alt + number | Access the Jump List for the app, as stated by the number |
| Windows logo + Alt + Enter | Open taskbar settings |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between currently open apps |
| Alt + F4 | Close the currently active application |
| Alt + underlined letter | Perform the command associated with the specific letter |
| Esc | End the ongoing task |
| Windows logo + T | Move through the apps on the taskbar |
| Tab/Ctrl + Tab | Move forward through options or tabs |
| Shift + Tab/Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Go backward through options or tabs |
| Ctrl + number (1–9) | Move to the tab specified by the number |
| Space | Select a check box or clear it (if the active option is a check box) |
| Arrow keys | Select a button (if the active option is a button) Arrow keys generally take the cursor in the specified direction. |
| Backspace | It generally deletes text but can open the parent folder when used in a dialog box |
| Shift + Taskbar button | Open an app (or another instance) |
| Ctrl + Shift + Taskbar button | Open an app as an administrator |
| Ctrl + Click a grouped taskbar button | Move through all the windows of the group |
| Shift + Right-click a Taskbar button | See the window menu for the app |
| Shift + Right-click a grouped Taskbar button | See the window menu for the whole group |
Shortcuts related to Document Editing
Windows 10 is a comfortable platform for content creation, letting you use the Microsoft Office suite or Office 365 following integration.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Select the complete text (also works to select items) |
| Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys | Select text in a block form |
| Shift with an arrow key | Select text in a document (It also works to select multiple items in a window or on the desktop.) |
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected text/item |
| Ctrl + C / Insert | Copy the selected text/item |
| Ctrl + V Shift + Insert | Paste the selected item/text |
| Windows logo + V | Open the clipboard |
| Ctrl + → | Move your cursor to the start of the next word |
| Ctrl + ← | Move your cursor to the start of the previous word |
| Ctrl + ↓ | Take the cursor to the beginning of the following paragraph |
| Ctrl + ↑ | Move your cursor to the start of the previous paragraph |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the last action |
| Alt + Left arrow | Go backward |
| Alt + Right arrow | Go forward |
| Alt + Page Up | Move up the screen |
| Alt + Page Down | Move down the screen |
| Ctrl + F4 | Close the active document |
| Ctrl + Shift | Switch the keyboard layout |
| Ctrl + Space | Turn IME (input method editor) on or off |
| Windows logo + / | Start IME reconversion |
| Windows logo + Spacebar | Switch the input language (also works to switch the keyboard layout) |
| Windows logo + ./; (period or semicolon) | Open the emoji panel |
| PrtScn | Take a full screenshot of the screen |
Key Combos for Windows Management
Windows excels at managing screen entities to create a distraction-free workspace. The window manager lets you stack, cascade, tile, etc., at your convenience.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + D | Display or hide your desktop |
| Windows logo + Home | Minimize all windows except the current one |
| Windows logo + M | Minimize all the windows |
| Windows logo + Shift + M | Restore the minimized windows to the desktop |
| Windows logo + ↓ | Minimize the desktop window |
| Windows logo + ↑ | Maximize the window |
| F5 Ctrl + R | Refresh the active window |
| Windows logo + ← | Maximize the desktop window to the left side |
| Windows logo + → | Maximize the desktop window to the right side |
| Windows logo + Shift + ↑ | Stretch the window to the top and bottom |
| Windows logo + Shift + ↓ | Minimize the active windows vertically while maintaining their widths |
| F6 | Move through the screen elements |
| Alt + Esc | Move through various applications in the same order you opened them |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab | Switch between all open applications |
| F10 | Make the Menu bar active for the current application |
| Windows logo + Z | See the available commands in an app in full-screen mode |
| Alt + Spacebar | Access the shortcut menu for the active window |
| Shift + F10 | See the shortcut menu for a selected item |
| → | Open the next menu to the right |
| ← | Open the next menu to the left |
| Windows logo + Shift + → / ← | Move a window from one monitor to another |
| End | See the bottom of the active window |
| Home | See the top of the active window |
| F11 | Maximize or minimize the current window |
Accessibility Shortcuts
Windows has long focused on accessibility for different users, potentially with particular vision or hearing needs. Windows 10 integrates Cortana, a voice-controlled digital assistant, for desktops. It also supports multiple other features to simplify your user experience, from a Narrator to shoulder taps, letting you send fun emojis to your contacts.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + C | Open Cortana in listening mode |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Enter | Turn on Narrator |
| Windows logo + ‘+’ | Open Magnifier |
| Windows logo + H | Start dictation |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Q | Open Quick Assist |
| Windows logo + J | Focus on a Windows tip if it is available |
| Windows logo + K | Open Connect quick action |
| Windows logo + U | Open Ease of Access Center |
| Windows logo + X | Access the Quick Link menu |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Spacebar | Change to an input selected earlier |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + V | Open shoulder taps |
Shortcuts for Gamers & Multimedia Enthusiasts
Windows 11 leads here with windowed mode support, Auto HDR, and Direct Storage. But gameplay on Windows 10 is also satisfying, provided you have adequate system resources like RAM and storage.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + G | Open the Game bar |
| Windows logo + Alt + B | Enable or disable HDR |
| Windows logo + Shift + S | Take a partial screenshot |
| Windows logo + O | Lock the orientation of your device |
| Windows logo + P | Choose a display mode for presenting |
| Windows logo + Y | Switch between Windows Mixed Reality and the desktop |
Keyboard Combinations for the Command Prompt
This category targets system administrators and users who may need to run automated scripts, conduct troubleshooting, etc. The command prompt continues to be beneficial even though Windows replaced good old MS-DOS with a GUI in the 1980s-90s.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Shortcut | What it does |
| Ctrl + M | Enter Mark mode |
| Alt + selection key | Select in block mode |
| Ctrl + Home | The cursor goes to the beginning of the buffer |
| Ctrl + End | The cursor reaches the end of the buffer |
| Ctrl + ↑ | Move up a line in the output history |
| Ctrl + ↓ | Move down a line in the output history |
| Ctrl + Home | The viewport goes to the top of the buffer if the command line is empty. If it isn’t, this shortcut deletes the characters to the left of the cursor. |
| Ctrl + End | The viewport goes to the command line if it is empty. If it isn’t, this combination deletes the characters to the right of the cursor. |
| Page up | Move the cursor one page up |
| Page down | Bring the cursor one page down |
Virtual Desktops
Windows 10 introduced a commendable feature to optimize screen space for those who don’t have a multi-monitor setup. Virtual desktops let you work with and switch between multiple desktops, even when you technically have only one physical monitor.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + Tab | Open Task view (the option for working with virtual desktops) |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + D | Add a virtual desktop |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + → | Switch between virtual desktops on the right |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + ← | Move between virtual desktops on the left |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop |
The above comprehensive list of Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts should keep you steadily working, even if your mouse is iffy or you generally feel snappier typing away.
You will also find intuitive keyboard combinations if you move to Windows 11, particularly for gameplay, multitasking via Snap Layouts, and running artificial intelligence applications.