Microsoft Logo

Photo Credits: Microsoft Corporation

Do you work on a computer daily? Do you wonder if there are any shortcuts that you can use to make your life easier or even faster? Here are some common short cuts for Windows Computers that I have learned through the years that have been beneficial to my personal and work life.

General Windows Short Cuts:

  • Ctrl + X – Cut selected item
  • Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) – Copy selected item
  • Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) – Paste the selected item
  • Ctrl + Z – Undo an action
  • Alt + Tab – Switch between open apps
  • Alt + F4 – Close the active item, or exit the active app
  • F2 – Rename the selected item
  • F3 – Search for a file or folder in File Explorer
  • F4 – Display the address bar list in File Explorer
  • F5 – Refresh the active window
  • F6 – Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
  • F10 – Activate the Menu bar in the active app
  • Alt + F8 – Show your password on the sign-in screen
  • Alt + Esc – Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
  • Alt + Enter – Display properties for the selected item
  • Alt + Spacebar – Open the shortcut menu for the active window
  • Alt + Left arrow – Go back
  • Alt + Right arrow – Go forward
  • Alt + Page Up – Move up one screen
  • Alt + Page Down – Move down one screen
  • Ctrl + F4 – Close the active document
  • Ctrl + A – Select all items in a document or window
  • Delete – Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
  • Ctrl + R (or F5) – Refresh the active window
  • Ctrl + Y – Redo an action
  • Ctrl + Right arrow – Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
  • Ctrl + Left arrow – Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
  • Ctrl + Down arrow – Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
  • Ctrl + Up arrow – Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
  • Ctrl + Alt + Tab – Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps
  • Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key – Select a block of text
  • Ctrl + Esc – Open Start
  • Ctrl + Shift + Esc – Open Task Manager
  • Shift + F10 – Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
  • Shift with any arrow key – Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document
  • Shift + Delete – Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
  • Right arrow – Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
  • Left arrow – Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
  • Esc – Stop or leave the current task
  • Ctrl + S – Save document
  • Ctrl + Shift + S – Save document as

Browser Windows Short Cuts:

  • F4 – Display the items in the active list
  • Ctrl + Tab – Move forward through tabs
  • Ctrl + Shift + Tab – Move back through tabs
  • Ctrl + number (number 1–9) – Move to nth tab
  • Tab – Move forward through options
  • Shift + Tab – Move back through options
  • Ctrl + Shift + T – Open up a tab you recently closed
  • Ctrl + J – Open up Downloads
  • Ctrl + F – Open up the Finder function to search for key words
  • Ctrl + P – Print page
  • Ctrl + D – Create a Bookmark
  • Ctrl + E – Search for something in the search bar

My next blog will have to do with Apple or MAC computer short cuts, since they are a different operating system and do not have the same type of buttons or commands. It can be a bit confusing at first, but once you understand these short cuts, your life will become ten times easier.

Windows Logo

Photo Credits: Microsoft Corporation

Though it is hard to believe, this doesn’t even scratch the surface of the different short cuts available. Check out Microsoft’s official page on short cuts to see if there are ones that you would be able to use on a regular basis and then comment them below so I can add them to my list!

Check out my previous Blogs for more useful tips:

5 Simple Steps to Keep Your Phone Running Healthy

Which Site is Best for You?

Stay Tech Savy!