I’ve always said that Microsoft Windows has at least 3 ways of doing any action. And that its up to the user to determine which is is the best method for their needs.
One of these methods is by using the Keyboard.
The following are a list of some of the many Keyboard shortcuts available.
Keyboard shortcut
Action
Windows key
Open or close Start Menu.
Windows key + A
Open Action center.
Windows key + C
Open Cortana in listening mode.
Windows key + D
Display and hide the desktop.
Windows key + E
Open File Explorer.
Windows key + G
Open Game bar when a game is open.
Windows key + H
Start dictation.
Windows key + I
Open Settings.
Windows key + K
Open the Connect quick action.
Windows key + L
Lock your PC or switch accounts.
Windows key + M
Minimize all windows.
Windows key + R
Open Run dialog box.
Windows key + S
Open Search.
Windows key + U
Open Ease of Access Center.
Windows key + X
Open Quick Link menu.
Windows key + Number
Open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows key + Left arrow key
Snap app windows left.
Windows key + Right arrow key
Snap app windows right.
Windows key + Up arrow key
Maximize app windows.
Windows key + Down arrow key
Minimize app windows.
Windows key + Comma
Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl +D
Add a virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow
Switch between virtual desktops.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4
Close current virtual desktop.
Windows key + Enter
Open Narrator.
Windows key + Home
Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke).
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.
Windows key + Tab
Open Task view.
Windows key + “+” key
Zoom in using the magnifier.
Windows key + “-” key
Zoom out using the magnifier.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Open Task Manager.
Alt + Tab
Switch between open apps.
Alt + Left arrow key
Go back.
Alt + Right arrow key
Go foward.
Alt + Page Up
Move up one screen.
Alt + Page down
Move down one screen.
Ctrl + Alt +Tab
View open apps
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.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Open Task Manager.
Ctrl + F4
Close the active window.