As with all previous vwersions of Windows, Windows 10 has shortcut keys that can help a user get around the operating system, and can even make navigating and using the O.S. quicker and easier, leading to increased productivity.
Many of the shortcut keys from Windows 7 or 8 wil still work with Windows 10, so we would recommend giving those a go if you know them, but now that there are a whole new bunch of apps and features, there are set of new shortcut keys to go with them.
| Keystroke | Action |
|---|---|
| [Win] | Open or close the Start Menu |
| [Win]+A | Open the Action Centre |
| [Win]+B | Highlight the notification area |
| [Win]+C | Start Cortana into Listening Mode |
| [Win]+D | Toggle between the desktop and previous windows state - Hides / shows applications. |
| [Win]+E | Launch File Explorer with the Quick Access tab displayed |
| [Win]+H | Open the Share charm |
| [Win]+I | Open the 'Settings' screen. |
| [Win]+K | Open the 'Connect Pane;' to connect to wireless displays and audio devices |
| [Win]+L | Lock the computer and display the Lock Screen |
| [Win]+M | Minimise all open windows and display the desktop. |
| [Win]+O | Lock the device orientation (mainly for use with tablets etc) |
| [Win]+P | Open the Project pane to connect ot external displays |
| [Win]+R | Open the 'Run' dialog |
| [Win]+S | Launch Cortana |
| [Win]+T | Cycle through the apps on the taskbar |
| [Win]+? | Launch the Windows feedback app |
| [Win]+U | Launch the 'Ease of Access Center' |
| [Win]+V | Cycle through notifications |
| [Win]+X | Open the 'Advanced Menu' in the lower left corner of the screen |
| [Win]+Z | Open the App specific command bar |
| [Win]+[Enter] | Launch Narrator |
| [Win]+[Spacebar] | Switch input language and keyboard layout |
| [Win]+[Tab] | Open the 'Task view' |
| [Win]+[Escape] | Close the Magnifier |
| [Win]+, | Briefly view desktop |
| [Win]+[Left Arrow] | Snap the active window to the left half on the screen |
| [Win]+[Right Arrow] | Snap the active window to the right half of the screen |
| [Win]+[Up Arrow] | Maximise the active window to the screen |
| [Win]+[Down Arrow] | Restore or minimise the active window |
| [Wiin]+{Shift]+[Up Arrow] | Maximise the current window vertically but maintain the width |
| [Win]+[Shift]+[Down Arrow] | Restore or minimise the current window maintaining its width |
| [Win]+[Shift]+[Right Arrow] | On a multi-monitor setup move the active window to the right monitor |
| [Win]+[Shift]+[Left Arrow] | On a multi-monitor setup move the active window to the left monitor |
| [Print Screen] | Take a snapshot of the screen and save it to the clipboard |
| [Alt]+[Print Screen] | Take a snapshot of the active window and save it to the clipboard |
| [Win]+Print Screen] | Take a snapshgot of the screen and save in the 'Computer' > 'Pictures' > 'Screenshots' folder |
| [Win]+[Ctrl]+D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| [Win]+[Ctrl]+F4 | Close the current virtual desktop |
| [Win]+[Ctrl]+[Left Arrow / Right Arrow] | Cycle through all virtual desktops. |
| [Win]+[Plus Sign] | Zoom in |
| [Win]+[Minus sign] | Zoom out |
| [Win]+[Home] | Minimise all non-active windows (a second press restores them again) |
| [Alt]+F4 | Close current Window / App |
| [Alt]+[Tab] | Switch between open Apps |