Microsoft Windows 10 Shortcut Keys – Complete Practical Guide

Microsoft Windows 10 shortcut keys help you perform everyday computer tasks faster. You can use them to open applications, manage files and folders, switch between windows, take screenshots, search your computer, manage virtual desktops, open system tools, and control Windows settings.

This Windows 10 Shortcut Keys guide is useful for students, office workers, computer operators, beginners, and anyone learning basic computer skills.

Basic Windows 10 Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows	Start Menu	Opens the Start menu.
Windows + D	Show Desktop	Shows or hides the desktop.
Windows + E	File Explorer	Opens File Explorer.
Windows + I	Settings	Opens Windows Settings.
Windows + S	Search	Opens Windows Search.
Windows + A	Action Center	Opens the Action Center.
Windows + L	Lock PC	Locks the computer.
Windows + R	Run	Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows + X	Quick Link Menu	Opens the advanced user menu.
Windows + P	Project	Opens display/project options.
Windows + U	Ease of Access	Opens accessibility settings.
Windows + V	Clipboard History	Opens Clipboard History when enabled.
Windows + G	Game Bar	Opens Xbox Game Bar.
Windows + K	Connect	Opens the Connect panel for wireless displays/devices where supported.

File and Folder Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Ctrl + N	New Window	Opens a new window in supported applications and File Explorer contexts.
Ctrl + Shift + N	New Folder	Creates a new folder.
Ctrl + C	Copy	Copies the selected file or folder.
Ctrl + X	Cut	Cuts the selected file or folder.
Ctrl + V	Paste	Pastes copied or cut items.
Ctrl + A	Select All	Selects all items.
Ctrl + Z	Undo	Reverses the previous action.
Ctrl + Y	Redo	Repeats or restores an undone action.
Delete	Delete	Moves the selected item to the Recycle Bin.
Shift + Delete	Permanent Delete	Deletes the selected item without sending it to the Recycle Bin.
F2	Rename	Renames the selected file or folder.
Alt + Enter	Properties	Opens the Properties window.

File Explorer Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + E	Open File Explorer	Opens File Explorer.
Alt + D	Address Bar	Selects the address bar.
Ctrl + L	Address Bar	Selects the current folder path.
Ctrl + F	Search	Activates the search box.
Ctrl + Shift + N	New Folder	Creates a new folder.
Alt + Left Arrow	Back	Goes to the previous folder/location.
Alt + Right Arrow	Forward	Goes to the next location.
Alt + Up Arrow	Parent Folder	Goes up one folder level.
F5	Refresh	Refreshes the current folder.
Ctrl + Mouse Wheel	Change View	Changes the size of icons in File Explorer.

Window Management Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Alt + Tab	Switch Apps	Switches between open applications.
Alt + F4	Close Window	Closes the active window.
Windows + Tab	Task View	Shows open windows and virtual desktops.
Windows + D	Show Desktop	Shows or hides the desktop.
Windows + M	Minimize All	Minimizes all open windows.
Windows + Shift + M	Restore Windows	Restores minimized windows.
Windows + Home	Minimize Others	Minimizes all windows except the active window.
Windows + Up Arrow	Maximize	Maximizes the active window.
Windows + Down Arrow	Minimize/Restore	Minimizes or restores the active window.
Windows + Left Arrow	Snap Left	Places the window on the left side of the screen.
Windows + Right Arrow	Snap Right	Places the window on the right side of the screen.

Snap Windows in Windows 10

Windows 10 allows you to work with multiple windows at the same time.

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + Left Arrow	Snap Left	Places the current window on the left half.
Windows + Right Arrow	Snap Right	Places the current window on the right half.
Windows + Up Arrow	Maximize	Maximizes the current window.
Windows + Down Arrow	Minimize/Restore	Restores or minimizes the current window.

Practical Example: Open Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Snap Word to the left and Excel to the right so you can work with both programs together.

Virtual Desktop Shortcut Keys

Windows 10 supports multiple virtual desktops.

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + Tab	Task View	Opens Task View.
Windows + Ctrl + D	New Desktop	Creates a new virtual desktop.
Windows + Ctrl + Left Arrow	Previous Desktop	Moves to the desktop on the left.
Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow	Next Desktop	Moves to the desktop on the right.
Windows + Ctrl + F4	Close Desktop	Closes the current virtual desktop.

Virtual desktops are useful when you want to keep study work, office work, browsing, and other tasks separate.

Screenshot Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
PrtScn	Screenshot	Copies the entire screen to the Clipboard.
Alt + PrtScn	Active Window Screenshot	Copies only the active window to the Clipboard.
Windows + PrtScn	Save Screenshot	Captures the entire screen and saves it automatically.
Windows + Shift + S	Snip Screen	Lets you select an area of the screen to capture.
Windows + G	Game Bar	Opens Xbox Game Bar for screen capture and other functions.

Search and Run Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + S	Search	Searches apps, files, settings, and other content.
Windows + R	Run	Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows + X	Quick Link Menu	Opens advanced system tools.

Useful Windows 10 Run Commands

Press Windows + R, type the command, and press Enter.

Run Command	Function	Simple Explanation
notepad	Notepad	Opens Notepad.
calc	Calculator	Opens Calculator.
mspaint	Paint	Opens Microsoft Paint.
cmd	Command Prompt	Opens Command Prompt.
control	Control Panel	Opens Control Panel.
taskmgr	Task Manager	Opens Task Manager.
explorer	File Explorer	Opens File Explorer.
msconfig	System Configuration	Opens System Configuration.
services.msc	Services	Opens the Windows Services manager.
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager	Opens Device Manager.
appwiz.cpl	Programs and Features	Opens installed-program management.
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Management	Opens disk management tools.

Clipboard Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Ctrl + C	Copy	Copies selected content.
Ctrl + X	Cut	Cuts selected content.
Ctrl + V	Paste	Pastes copied content.
Windows + V	Clipboard History	Shows previously copied items when Clipboard History is enabled.

Practical Tip: Clipboard History is very useful when you need to copy several pieces of information and paste them one by one.

Windows Security Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Ctrl + Alt + Delete	Security Screen	Opens Windows security options.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Task Manager	Opens Task Manager directly.
Windows + L	Lock PC	Locks the computer.
Windows + R	Run	Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows + X	Quick Link Menu	Opens advanced Windows tools.

Task Manager Shortcut

Ctrl + Shift + Esc directly opens Task Manager.

Task Manager can help you:

Check running applications
Close an unresponsive program
Monitor CPU usage
Monitor memory usage
Check disk and network usage
Manage startup applications
View system performance

Accessibility Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + U	Ease of Access	Opens accessibility settings.
Windows + Plus (+)	Magnifier	Opens or increases Magnifier.
Windows + Minus (-)	Zoom Out	Decreases Magnifier zoom.
Windows + Esc	Close Magnifier	Closes Magnifier.
Windows + Ctrl + Enter	Narrator	Turns Narrator on or off.
Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen	High Contrast	Turns high contrast on or off where supported.
Shift five times	Sticky Keys	Opens Sticky Keys options.

Windows 10 Settings Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + I	Settings	Opens the Settings application.
Windows + A	Action Center	Opens quick actions and notifications.
Windows + P	Project	Opens display projection options.
Windows + U	Accessibility	Opens Ease of Access settings.
Windows + K	Connect	Opens wireless connection options where supported.

Text Editing Shortcut Keys

These shortcuts work in many Windows applications.

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Ctrl + A	Select All	Selects all text/content.
Ctrl + C	Copy	Copies selected text.
Ctrl + X	Cut	Cuts selected text.
Ctrl + V	Paste	Pastes copied text.
Ctrl + Z	Undo	Reverses the last action.
Ctrl + Y	Redo	Repeats the previous action.
Ctrl + F	Find	Searches for text.
Home	Line Start	Moves to the beginning of a line.
End	Line End	Moves to the end of a line.
Ctrl + Home	Beginning	Moves to the beginning of a document.
Ctrl + End	End	Moves to the end of a document.

Command Prompt and Windows Tools

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + R	Run	Opens Run.
Windows + X	Quick Link Menu	Opens advanced Windows tools.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Task Manager	Opens Task Manager.
Ctrl + Shift + Enter	Run as Administrator	Runs a compatible selected application with administrator privileges.

Power and Lock Shortcuts

Shortcut Key	Function	Simple Explanation
Windows + L	Lock	Locks the computer.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete	Security Options	Opens security options.
Alt + F4	Shutdown Dialog	When the desktop is active, opens the Windows shutdown dialog.
Windows + X	Power User Menu	Provides access to power and system tools.

Practical Windows 10 Example

Suppose you are doing a computer practical assignment.

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Press Ctrl + Shift + N to create a new folder.
Type the folder name and press Enter.
Press Windows + S and search for Microsoft Word.
Open Word and create your assignment.
Press Alt + Tab to switch between Word and File Explorer.
Press Windows + Shift + S to take a screenshot.
Press Windows + V to view Clipboard History.
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to check Task Manager.
Press Windows + L to lock the computer when finished.

Most Important Windows 10 Shortcut Keys to Learn First

Windows – Start Menu
Windows + D – Show Desktop
Windows + E – File Explorer
Windows + I – Settings
Windows + S – Search
Windows + A – Action Center
Windows + L – Lock Computer
Windows + R – Run
Windows + X – Quick Link Menu
Windows + V – Clipboard History
Windows + Tab – Task View
Alt + Tab – Switch Applications
Alt + F4 – Close Window
Windows + Up Arrow – Maximize Window
Windows + Down Arrow – Minimize/Restore
Windows + Left Arrow – Snap Left
Windows + Right Arrow – Snap Right
Windows + Shift + S – Screenshot
Windows + PrtScn – Save Screenshot
Ctrl + Shift + Esc – Task Manager
Ctrl + Alt + Delete – Security Options
Ctrl + C – Copy
Ctrl + X – Cut
Ctrl + V – Paste
Ctrl + A – Select All
Ctrl + Z – Undo
Ctrl + Y – Redo
Ctrl + Shift + N – New Folder
F2 – Rename
Delete – Delete
Shift + Delete – Permanent Delete
Windows + Ctrl + D – New Virtual Desktop
Windows + Ctrl + Left Arrow – Previous Desktop
Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow – Next Desktop
Windows + Ctrl + F4 – Close Virtual Desktop
Windows + Plus (+) – Magnifier
Windows + Esc – Close Magnifier
Windows + U – Accessibility

Practical Learning Tip

If you are learning Microsoft Windows 10 as part of a computer course, practice these shortcuts while doing real tasks such as creating and managing folders, copying files, taking screenshots, opening applications, switching between programs, using multiple windows, searching files, changing settings, and managing virtual desktops.

For beginners, first learn Windows + E, Windows + I, Windows + S, Windows + R, Windows + D, Windows + L, Alt + Tab, Ctrl + C, Ctrl + X, Ctrl + V, Ctrl + Z, Ctrl + Shift + N, F2, and Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

SNCEC PORTAL