30 Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for Productivity Boost

If you use your computer a lot, learning to use (and getting acquainted with) keyboard shortcuts can tremendously boost your work speed and productivity. Interestingly, Microsoft has a handful of these shortcuts built into the Windows operating system. These keyboard shortcuts (also referred to as keyboard hotkeys) can do a variety of tasks ranging from launching an app, activating your PC’s digital assistant, initiate specific operating system commands, etc.

Basically, Windows keyboard shortcuts help improve your workflow and overall productivity allowing users execute certain actions with a combination of key presses as opposed to the regular route of multiple mouse clicks.

With the arrival of Windows 10, the number of available keyboard shortcuts has snowballed and while it might take some time memorizing and getting used to them, they’re definitely worth it — you’ll be swiftly switching between one task to another in no time.

Listed below are some of the best Windows Keyboard shortcuts that can boost your productivity and streamline your workflow.

Top Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Windows Key (Winkey) + D — Show or Hide Desktop
2. Winkey + E — Launch File Explorer
3. Winkey + H — Activates share feature in Windows 10 apps
4. Winkey + Tab — Activate Task View
5. Winkey + I — Launch Windows Settings
6. Winkey + G — Activate Xbox Game Bar
7. Winkey + X — Open Quick Link menu
8. Winkey + L — Lock PC/ Switch Accounts
9. Winkey + S — Open Windows Search Bar
10. Winkey + U — Open Ease of Access Center
11. Winkey + M — Minimize all active Windows
12. Winkey + A — Open Action Center
13. Winkey + C — Activate Cortana
14. Winkey + R — Open Run dialog box
15. Winkey + P — Project a screen
16. Winkey + K — Open the Quick Connect menu in the action center.
17. Winkey + ← / → / ↑ / ↓ — Snap apps to the left or right
18. Winkey + ↑ or ↓ — Minimize apps up or down
19. Winkey + . or ; — Launch the emoji box
20. Winkey + Ctrl + D — Creates a new virtual desktop
21. Winkey + Ctrl + F4 — Close current virtual desktop
22. Winkey + Ctrl + Left or Right — Switch between virtual desktops
23. Winkey + Shift + Left or Right — Move apps from one monitor to another
24. Winkey + Comma — Temporarily peek at the desktop
25. Winkey + Enter — Launch Narrator
26. Winkey + Ctrl + M — Launch Magnifier app
27. Winkey + 1 / 2 / 3… — Open apps that are pinned on the taskbar. NOTE: The first app is 1, second app is 2, third app is 3…
28. Ctrl + Shit +Esc — Launch Task Manager
29. Ctrl + Alt +Tab — View opened apps
30. Alt + F4 — Close the active window

Extras

• Ctrl + C — Copy selected items to clipboard.
• Ctrl + X — Cut selected items.
• Ctrl + V — Paste content from clipboard.
• Ctrl + A — Select all content.
• Ctrl + Z — Undo an action.
• Ctrl + Y — Redo an action.
• Ctrl + D — Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
• Ctrl + Esc — Open the Start Menu.
• Ctrl + Shift — Switch the keyboard layout.
• Windows key + Home — Minimize all but the active desktop window.
• Windows key + PrtScn — Capture a screenshot and save in Screenshots folder.
• Windows key + Shift + Up arrow — Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.