100+ Basic to Advanced Shortcut Keys for Windows PC

Shortcut keys are combinations of keyboard inputs (e.g., Ctrl + C or Win + L) designed to execute specific commands instantly, bypassing the need to navigate menus or use a mouse. These quick-access tools are embedded into operating systems and applications to streamline workflows, reduce repetitive actions, and enhance productivity.

Table of Contents

By memorizing even a handful of shortcuts, users can:

Save time: Perform tasks in seconds that might otherwise take multiple clicks.
Boost efficiency: Keep hands on the keyboard, maintaining focus during tasks like coding, writing, or data entry.
Reduce physical strain: Minimize reliance on the mouse, lowering wrist and hand fatigue.
Master complex workflows: Advanced shortcuts unlock hidden features for power users, such as system diagnostics or multi-window management.

Below is a comprehensive list of over 100 shortcut keys for Windows with their actions, organized by category – from basic to advanced.

Quirky Shortcut Keys for Windows PC

1. General Shortcut Keys

Shortcut	Action	Details
Ctrl + C	Copy	Copies selected text, files, or items to the clipboard.
Ctrl + X	Cut	Removes the selection and saves it to the clipboard.
Ctrl + V	Paste	Inserts the clipboard’s contents at the cursor location.
Ctrl + Z	Undo	Reverses the last action. Works in most apps (multiple undos possible).
Ctrl + Y	Redo	Restores an action undone by Ctrl + Z.
Ctrl + A	Select All	Highlights all items in a document, folder, or window.
Ctrl + S	Save	Saves the current file or document.
Ctrl + P	Print	Opens the print dialog box to print the current document or page.
Ctrl + F	Find	Opens a search bar to locate text or items.
Ctrl + H	Replace	Opens the “Find and Replace” dialog (common in text editors).
Shift + Delete	Permanent Delete	Deletes files bypassing the Recycle Bin (use with caution!).
Ctrl + N	New	Creates a new document, window, or file in many applications.
Ctrl + O	Open	Opens an existing file in many applications.

2. File and Folder Management

Shortcut	Action	Details
Win + E	Open File Explorer	Launches a new File Explorer window.
Ctrl + Shift + N	New Folder	Creates a new folder in the current directory.
F2	Rename	Renames the selected file or folder.
Alt + Enter	Properties	Opens the properties window for the selected item.
Ctrl + D	Delete	Moves selected items to the Recycle Bin.
Ctrl + Drag	Copy File	Hold Ctrl while dragging a file to copy it.
F3	Search	Activates search in File Explorer or browsers.
F4	Address Bar (File Explorer)	Focuses on the address bar in File Explorer.
Shift + Right-Click	Extended Context Menu	Reveals hidden options like “Copy as Path” or “Open in Terminal” in File Explorer.
Alt + Double-Click	View File Properties	Opens the properties window for a file/folder (alternative to Alt + Enter).
Shift + Click “Close”	Close Multiple Windows	Hold Shift while closing a folder to close all parent folders.
Alt + Up Arrow	Move Up Folder	Moves up one level in File Explorer.
Alt + Left Arrow	Go Back	Goes back to the previous folder in File Explorer.
Alt + Right Arrow	Go Forward	Goes forward to the next folder in File Explorer.
Ctrl + E	Select Search Box	Selects the Search box in File Explorer.
Ctrl + N	New Explorer Window	Opens a new File Explorer window.
Ctrl + Shift + E	Show All Folders	Displays all folders above the selected folder in File Explorer.

3. Text Manipulation and Navigation

Shortcut	Action	Details
Ctrl + B/I/U	Bold/Italic/Underline	Applies formatting to selected text.
Ctrl + ←/→	Move by Word	Moves the cursor one word left or right.
Ctrl + Backspace	Delete Word	Deletes the previous word.
Home/End	Start/End of Line	Jumps to the beginning or end of the current line.
Ctrl + Home/End	Start/End of Document	Navigates to the top or bottom of a document.
Shift + ←/→	Select Text	Highlights text character by character. Combine with Ctrl to select words.
F5	Insert Timestamp	Inserts the current date and time in Notepad.
Ctrl + Delete	Delete Next Word	Deletes the next word.
Shift + Home	Select to Start of Line	Selects text from the current cursor position to the beginning of the line.
Shift + End	Select to End of Line	Selects text from the current cursor position to the end of the line.
Ctrl + Shift + ←/→	Select Word	Selects the word to the left or right of the cursor.
Ctrl + Shift + Home/End	Select to Start/End of Document	Selects text from the cursor to the beginning or end of the document.

4. Windows and Desktop Management

Shortcut	Action	Details
Alt + Tab	Switch Apps	Cycles through open applications. Hold Alt and press Tab repeatedly.
Alt + F4	Close App/Shut Down	Closes the active window. On the desktop, opens the shutdown dialog.
Win + ←/→/↑/↓	Snap Windows	Docks windows to screen edges (e.g., left half, right half, maximize).
Win + D	Show Desktop	Minimizes all windows to reveal the desktop. Press again to restore.
Win + L	Lock PC	Instantly locks your computer.
Win + Tab	Task View	Opens a timeline of virtual desktops and recent files.
Alt + Esc	Cycle Windows	Switches between open apps without previews.
Win + Ctrl + D	New Virtual Desktop	Creates a virtual desktop for multitasking.
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right	Switch Virtual Desktops	Moves between virtual desktops.
Win + Ctrl + F4	Close Virtual Desktop	Shuts down the current virtual desktop.
Alt + Space	Window Menu	Opens the restore/minimize/maximize/close menu for the current window.
Win + 1-9	Launch Taskbar Apps	Opens the app pinned to the taskbar position (e.g., Win + 2 opens the second app).
Win + T	Cycle Taskbar Apps	Highlights apps on the taskbar; press Enter to open.
Win + Space	Switch Input Language	Switches between input languages and keyboard layouts.
Win + Home	Show Active Window	Shows only the active window and minimizes all others.
Win + M	Minimize All	Minimizes all open windows.
Win + Shift + M	Restore Minimized	Restores all windows that were minimized by Win + M.
Win + Up Arrow	Maximize Window	Maximizes the current window.
Win + Down Arrow	Minimize/Restore Window	Minimizes the window if maximized, or restores it if minimized.
Win + Left Arrow	Snap Left	Snaps the current window to the left half of the screen.
Win + Right Arrow	Snap Right	Snaps the current window to the right half of the screen.
Win + Comma (, )	Peek at Desktop	Temporarily shows the desktop. Release the keys to return to the previous view.
Win + Z (Windows 11)	Snap Layouts	Opens the snap layouts menu to arrange windows on the screen.

5. Web Browser

Shortcut	Action	Details
Ctrl + T	New Tab	Opens a new browser tab.
Ctrl + W	Close Tab	Closes the current tab.
Ctrl + Shift + T	Reopen Closed Tab	Restores the most recently closed tab.
Ctrl + L	Focus Address Bar	Highlights the URL bar for quick editing.
Ctrl + F5	Hard Refresh	Reloads the page, ignoring cached files.
F5	Refresh	Reloads the current page or window.
F11	Fullscreen	Toggles fullscreen mode in browsers and apps.
Ctrl + Shift + N	New Private Window	Opens a new private or incognito Browse window.

6. System and Advanced Tools

Shortcut	Action	Details
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Task Manager	Directly opens Task Manager to monitor or end processes.
Win + X	Quick Link Menu	Opens a menu with system tools (Device Manager, PowerShell, etc.).
Win + Shift + S	Screen Snipping	Captures a custom screenshot (Windows 10/11).
Win + V	Clipboard History	Opens a panel with clipboard history (must enable in settings).
Win + Period (.)	Emoji Picker	Opens the emoji and symbol panel (Windows 10/11).
Win + R	Open Run Dialog	Launches the Run command for quick access to apps/utilities (e.g., cmd, msconfig).
Win + Pause/Break	Open System Properties	Displays system info, device specs, and advanced settings.
Ctrl + Shift + Click	Run as Administrator	Hold Ctrl + Shift while opening an app/file to launch it with admin rights.
Win + U	Ease of Access	Opens accessibility settings (magnifier, narrator, etc.).
Win + (+) / (-)	Magnifier Zoom	Zooms in/out using the magnifier tool.
Win + Ctrl + Shift + B	Restart Graphics Driver	Fixes screen flickering or GPU issues (no confirmation—use cautiously!).
Ctrl + Alt + Arrow Keys	Rotate Screen	Vendor-dependent (Intel/NVIDIA GPUs only; may require enabling).
Ctrl + Alt + Delete	Security Options	Opens the Security Options screen (Lock, Switch User, Sign out, Task Manager).
Win + Space	Switch Input Method	Quickly switches between different input methods.
Win + H	Open Voice Typing	Launches the voice typing feature.
Win + K	Connect to Devices	Opens the Connect quick action to find and connect to wireless displays and audio devices.
Win + N	Notifications & Calendar	Opens the Notifications panel and Calendar.
Win + O	Lock Orientation	Locks the device orientation (if applicable).
Win + Q	Open Search	Opens the Windows Search bar.
Win + W	Open Widgets	Opens the Widgets board (News and Interests).
Win + I	Open Settings	Opens the Windows Settings app.
Win + S	Open Search	Opens the Windows Search bar.
Win + Ctrl + F	Find Computers	Opens the Search Results window for finding computers on a network.
Win + Plus (+)	Open Magnifier (Zoom In)	Opens the Magnifier app and zooms in.
Win + Minus (-)	Magnifier Zoom Out	Zooms out when the Magnifier app is open.
Win + Esc	Close Magnifier	Closes the Magnifier app.
Win + G	Open Xbox Game Bar	Opens the Xbox Game Bar for recording gameplay and more.

7. Function Key Specific Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action	Details
F1	Help	Opens help menu in most apps.
F2	Rename	Renames a selected file or folder.
F12	Developer Tools / Save As	Opens browser dev tools or “Save As” in Office apps.
F3	Search	Activates the search function in many applications.
F4	Address Bar/List	Displays the address bar list in File Explorer and some other apps.
F6	Cycle Through Screen Elements	Cycles through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F10	Activate Menu Bar	Activates the menu bar in the active app.

8. Media and Display

Shortcut	Action	Details
Win + P	Projection Mode	Toggles display settings (Duplicate, Extend, Second Screen Only).
Win + Alt + PrtScn	Game Bar Screenshot	Captures the active game/app window (requires Game Bar enabled).
Win + Volume Up/Down	Adjust Volume	Quickly raise/lower system volume (may vary by keyboard).
Win + Alt + Enter	Toggle Fullscreen (Games/Apps)	Forces fullscreen mode in supported apps.
Win + Left/Right Arrow + Up/Down Arrow	Complex Window Snapping	Allows for more granular window snapping to quarters of the screen.

9. Command Prompt and Terminal

Shortcut	Action	Details
Ctrl + C	Interrupt Command	Stops a running command in CMD/PowerShell.
Ctrl + V	Paste in Terminal	Works after enabling in Terminal settings (default: right-click).
Alt + Enter	Fullscreen Toggle	Switches Command Prompt/Terminal to fullscreen.
Ctrl + Shift + +/-	Resize Terminal Font	Adjusts text size in PowerShell/Windows Terminal.
Ctrl + A	Select All Text	Selects all text in the Command Prompt or Terminal window.
Ctrl + F	Find Text	Opens a find dialog to search for text within the window.
Ctrl + M	Mark Mode	Enables selection of text with the mouse in Command Prompt.
Ctrl + Up/Down Arrow	Scroll History	Scrolls u

10. App-Specific Shortcuts

Application	Shortcut	Action
Calculator	Ctrl + L	Clear Memory
Calculator	Ctrl + H	Toggle History
Notepad	F5	Insert Timestamp
Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)	Ctrl + K	Insert Hyperlink
Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)	Alt + Enter	New Line in Excel Cell
Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)	F12	Save As
Microsoft Word	Ctrl + B	Bold
Microsoft Word	Ctrl + I	Italic
Microsoft Word	Ctrl + U	Underline
Microsoft Excel	Ctrl + 1	Format Cells
Microsoft Excel	Ctrl + Shift + Plus (+)	Insert Cells
Microsoft Excel	Ctrl + Minus (-)	Delete Cells

11. Hidden Gems and Niche Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action	Details
Win + Period (.)	Emoji & Symbol Panel	Opens the emoji picker (also Win + ;).
Shift (x5)	Sticky Keys	Activates Sticky Keys for easier keyboard use.
Win + Ctrl + F	Find Computers (Network)	Opens the search window to find computers on your network.
Ctrl + Mouse Wheel Up/Down	Zoom In/Out (in some apps)	Zooms in or out of the content in certain applications.

12. Screenshot and Screen Recording

Shortcut	Action	Details
Win + PrtScn	Save Screenshot	Captures the entire screen and saves to Pictures > Screenshots.
Alt + PrtScn	Copy Active Window	Copies the focused window to the clipboard (paste with Ctrl + V).
Win + Alt + R	Start/Stop Screen Recording	Records gameplay or app activity via Xbox Game Bar.
PrtScn	Open Snipping Tool	Opens the Snipping Tool to capture screenshots of a selected area.
Win + Shift + PrtScn	Capture Part of Screen	Opens the Snipping Tool overlay to capture a specific area of the screen.

13. Accessibility Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action	Details
Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen	Toggle High Contrast	Turns High Contrast mode on or off.
Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock	Toggle Mouse Keys	Turns Mouse Keys on or off, allowing you to control the mouse pointer with the numeric keypad.
Win + Ctrl + N	Narrator Home	Opens the Narrator Home screen.
Ctrl + Shift + PrtScn	Toggle Color Filters	Turns color filters on or off, which can help people with color blindness.

14. Windows Features

Shortcut	Action	Details
Win + Ctrl + Q	Open Quick Assist	Opens the Quick Assist application to get help from or give help to another person remotely.
Win + F	Open Feedback Hub	Opens the Feedback Hub app where you can send feedback to Microsoft.
Win + Ctrl + E	Open Microsoft Teams	Opens the Microsoft Teams application (if installed).

Conclusion

You don’t need to memorize all 100+ shortcuts at once. Start with the basics and gradually add advanced ones to your routine. Over time, you’ll save hours, reduce wrist strain, rely less on your mouse, and feel like a Windows pro. With these tricks, your keyboard becomes a magic wand – letting you work faster and smarter without breaking your flow.

FAQs

How do I spell-check in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint?

Press "F7". This opens the spell-check panel to review and correct errors.

Which Shortcut Key is used for automatic spell checking in Google Docs or web-based editors?

Google Docs: Use "Ctrl + Alt + X" (Chrome/Edge) or "Ctrl + \" to open the spell-check tool. *Most browsers underline misspelled words automatically. Right-click errors for suggestions.

Can I spell-check in Notepad or basic text editors?

Notepad lacks spell-check. Use apps like Notepad++ (press F7) or LibreOffice (F7) for built-in tools.

How do I enable automatic spell-check in browsers like Chrome, Bing or Firefox?

1. Go to Settings > Advanced > Languages. 2. Toggle "Spell check" on. 3. Right-click misspelled words for corrections.

What’s the shortcut key for a manual line break?

1. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Outlook, and most word processors: ➡️Shortcut: "Shift + Enter" ➡️This inserts a line break (↵) instead of a paragraph break. 2. Excel (within a cell): ➡️Shortcut: "Alt + Enter" ➡️Adds a new line inside the same cell.

What is the Windows Shortcut Key for Capital Letters?

Hold the "Shift" key while pressing the letter (A to Z) key. Example: Shift + A → A (uppercase).

100+ Basic to Advanced Shortcut Keys for Windows PC