Windows is known for its productivity features and offers various keyboard shortcuts to help you do the work faster. Now that Windows 10 is running on millions of PCs around the world with tons of new features and changes, it also means that we have to get ready to memorize several new keyboard shortcuts to get the most out of the new desktop operating system.
The chart shows several shortcuts you can use by hitting the Windows key + letters you are probably already familiar with, as well as others unique to Windows 10, such as the shortcuts to access Action Center, desktop peek, and much more.
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Windows Key | Open and close the Start menu |
| Windows Key + 1, Windows Key + 2, etc. | Switch to the desktop and launch the nth application in the taskbar. For example, Windows +1 launches whichever application is first in the list, numbered from left to right. |
| Windows Key + A | Open the action center. |
| Windows Key + B | Highlight the notification area. |
| Windows Key + C | Launch Cortana into listening mode. Users can begin to speak to Cortana immediately. |
| Windows Key + D | Switch between Show Desktop (hides/shows any applications and other windows) and the previous state. |
| Windows Key + E | Switch to the desktop and launch File Explorer with the Quick Access tab displayed. |
| Windows Key + H | Open the Share charm. |
| Windows Key + I | Open the Settings app. |
| Windows Key + K | Open the Connect pane to connect to wireless displays and audio devices. |
| Windows Key + L | Lock the device and go to the Lock screen. |
| Windows Key + M | Switch to the desktop and minimize all open windows. |
| Windows Key + O | Lock device orientation. |
| Windows Key + P | Open the Project pane to search and connect to external displays and projectors. |
| Windows Key + R | Display the Run dialog box. |
| Windows Key + S | Launch Cortana. Users can begin to type a query immediately. |
| Windows Key + T | Cycle through the apps on the taskbar. |
| Windows Key + U | Launch the Ease of Access Center. |
| Windows Key + V | Cycle through notifications. |
| Windows Key + X | Open the advanced menu in the lower-left corner of the screen. |
| Windows Key + Z | Open the app-specific command bar. |
| Windows Key + ENTER | Launch Narrator. |
| Windows Key + SPACEBAR | Switch input language and keyboard layout. |
| Windows Key + TAB | Open Task view. |
| Windows Key + , | Peek at the desktop. |
| Windows Key + PLUS SIGN | Zoom in. |
| Windows Key + MINUS SIGN | Zoom out. |
| Windows Key + ESCAPE | Close Magnifier. |
| Windows Key + LEFT ARROW | Dock the active window to the left half of the monitor. |
| Windows Key + RIGHT ARROW | Dock the active window to the right half of the monitor. |
| Windows Key + DOWN ARROW | Restore or minimize the active window. |
| Windows Key + SHIFT + UP ARROW | Maximize the active window vertically, maintaining the current width. |
| Windows Key + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW | Restore or minimize the active window vertically, maintaining the current width. |
| Windows Key + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW | With multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the left. |
| Windows Key + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW | With multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the right. |
| Windows Key + HOME | Minimize all nonactive windows; restore on second keystroke. |
| Windows Key + PRNT SCRN | Take a picture of the screen and place it in the Computer > Pictures > Screenshots folder. |
| Windows Key +CTRL+LEFT/RIGHT ARROW | Switch to the next or previous virtual desktop. |
| Windows Key + CTRL + D | Create a new virtual desktop. |
| Windows Key + CTRL + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop. |
| Windows Key + ? | Launch the Windows Feedback App. |
Here are more new keyboard shortcuts:
- Snapping window: WIN + LEFT or RIGHT (can be used with UP or DOWN to get into quadrants)
- Switch to recent window: ALT + TAB (unchanged) – Hold shows new Task view window view, let go, and switches to the app.
- Task view: WIN + TAB – New Task view opens up and stays open.
- Create new virtual desktop: WIN + CTRL + D
- Close current virtual desktop: WIN + CTRL + F4
- Switch virtual desktop: WIN + CTRL + LEFT or RIGHT
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 15 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 21 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].