Common Control (Ctrl) Key + Windows Shortcuts

In Microsoft Windows you can use many keyboard shortcuts to speed up common tasks, here are some of them using Crtl key in your keyboard.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 create shortcuts
Windows 11 create shortcuts

I spend a lot of time online, creating documents and multitasking on my computer, so I am always looking for ways to optimize my time. And today I would like to share with you, some of what I think are the most common Windows shortcuts, using the control (Ctrl) key in your keyboard, they are simple and easy to remember.

Shortcuts are really easy to execute, just press and hold the Ctrl key and while holding the first key press the second key and let go.

Ctrl Z keyboard keys

These Windows shortcuts will work on most Microsoft Windows releases (XP, Vista, Windows 7; etc.), most applications and web Browsers.

Most Windows compatibles keyboards will have 2 “Ctrl” keys as shown in the image below (Click Image to expand).

Ctrl Key in a keyboard

  • Ctrl + Z – Enables you to undo the last action or several actions depending how many undo actions the application supports. Example: If you deleted a selected line of text or an image, you can easily use these keys combination to retrieve the selected line text back.
  • Ctrl + A – Enables you to select everything (pictures, text; etc.) on a document, website page, or files and folders.
  • Ctrl + X – Enables you to cut selected text, pictures and files.
  • Ctrl + C – Enables you to copy selected text, pictures and files.
  • Ctrl + V – Enables you to paste text, pictures and files that you previously cut or copy.
  • Ctrl + F – Enables you to start a search within an application.
  • Ctrl + S – Enables you to save a documents or save changes to the already saved document.
  • Ctrl + O – Enables you to open a document.
  • Ctrl + N – Enables you to create a new documents.
About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].